Clinical Compliance
All students at Penn Nursing must meet the requirements of the compliance policy. All students must fulfill the immunization requirements as well as CPR certification, drug screen and background checks, and other program-specific requirements.
2011-2012 Compliance Policy
Our compliance provider is American Data Bank. Packages are ordered through www.upennbackgroundcheck.com.
Students who do not complete the background checks, drug screen, certifications and immunization record process by their designated date will be placed on registration hold until compliant and dropped from clinical courses. Students who become compliant prior to the beginning of classes will be released from registration hold, allowed to re-register for clinical on a space-available basis, and charged a late fee per the fee schedule below, and may be subject to other penalties outlined by the course faculty.
LATE COMPLIANCE FEE SCHEDULE:
Freshman - $150
Sophomore - $200
Junior - $250
Senior - $300
MSN - $300
Please note: It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of her/his immunizations, to update immunizations, CPR and other certifications, record checks, and licensure as necessary, and to submit documentation in a timely manner. Students will be notified one time via email about their immunization status, so it is imperative that students check their email on a regular basis, including over the summer. Students who do not have access to email over the summer should notify the Office of Student Services. Subsequent reminders will not be provided..
DPW Child Abuse Clearance Form
The Student must send these forms with their money order to the DPW of Pennsylvania. With a completed waiver, the DPW will send the results directly to American Data Bank.
Changes to the Compliance Policy for 2011-2012
PPD Requirements:
Students NEW to Penn (no ADB record) need EITHER a negative Two-Step PPD OR a negative IGRA Blood Test (such as Quantiferon Gold, result should be negative). Note: To meet University pre-matriculation requirements, at least 1 PPD skin test of the above 2-step must be performed at Student Health. Alternately, an IGRA blood test result is acceptable.
Students RETURNING to Penn (ADB record) need a standard singlenegative PPD (blood test also accepted).
All of these options are valid for 1 year. Negative Chest XRays (CXR) completed after a documented positive PPD reading are still accepted and override all other PPD requirements infinitely, provided the student completes symptom checks as required by their health care provider.
TDaP:
All students need a single dose of TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) within the past five years. TD is no longer acceptable. Students who have TDaPs recorded on their TD line with ADB will need to submit documentation of the TDaP this year and update their online record accordingly.
Varicella:
Students must have documentation of two vaccinations 4-8 weeks apart OR a titer confirming immunity. Incidence of disease alone is no longer accepted. Students who were compliant in prior years with incidence of disease will need to update this field.
Flu:
Students will need a flu vaccine by November 1, 2011.
Compliance Instructions and Timelines
Instructions
Information for 2011-2012 is being posted on a rolling basis as directions are sent to the programs. If you believe you need information and it is not listed, please contact osi@nursing.upenn.edu.
2011 Incoming Freshman BSN
Fall 2011 BSN Graduates
Nursing & Health Care Administration & Health Leadership
Returning BSN and Returning MSN (Second Year Midwifery & CRNA)
New Midwifery and Women's Health
New CRNA
New Accelerated BSN/MSN and Second Degree BSN
New Nursing of Children (Peds Acute/Chronic, Peds Oncology, Peds Critical Care, NNP) MSN Programs
New Psych NP, Adult Health NP, and Gerontology NP
New Adult Acute Care NP
Need Assistance?
For general questions, contact the Office of Student Information osi@nursing.upenn.edu.
For issues with the package ordering, documentation, submissions, etc., please contact our compliance provider, American Data Bank, at 800-200-0853.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to do this?
Our agreements with the clinical agencies require students to be fully immunized, CPR certified, and complete these background checks annually.
How much does this cost?
Cost varies slightly by program; most of the fee is built into your clinical fee. You will need to pay for Childline clearance by money order due to State of PA regulations, and pay with cash or check for any notary or fingerprinting fees.
I don't have an SSN. What do I put on the order form?
Please contact the Office of Student Information osi@nursing.upenn.edu for assistance.
Which address do I use on my order form?
Use any address where you can receive mail in the next 2 weeks.
Which forms get turned in where?
American DataBank is to receive everything, and a copy of the Disclosure and Release form must be turned into the Office of Student Information.
How do I send the forms to ADB?
Scan completed forms and email to disclosures to studentdisclosure@americandatabank.com and Child Abuse and immunizations to immunization@americandatabank.comor fax to 303-339-7521 or 1-877-619-4139. Both are secure and dedicated to Penn.
I don't have a scanner or fax machine. Can you send it for me?
You may choose to scan and email your forms from the student computer lab, or fax from nearby stores. Please note the School and Library do not have public faxes.
I called ADB's 800 number (800-200-0853) with a question last night but there was no answer.
Call during ADB's business hours, 10 am to 8 pm Eastern.
I was fingerprinted for XYZ. Do I need to do it again?
Yes. We require a background check done specifically for your clinical rotations. The FBI will not accept prints over 90 days old.
Where can I get my fingerprints done?
Fingerprinting is available at the most State Police locations.
Penn Public Safety also offers fingerprinting for a fee of $10; call 215-898-7252 for availability.
Where can I find a notary public?
There is a notary public in our office, available by appointment and during specific hours free of charge. Contact osi@nursing.upenn.edu. You can also get documents notarized for a nominal fee at most banks.
I'm not going to be in Philadelphia anytime soon. Where can I have the drug screen done?
Contact American Data Bank (800-200-0853) during business hours for an alternate approved drug screen site.
I already have a Childline Clearance. Do I need a new one?
Your clearance is only good for one year. The clearance you submit to ADB needs to be good through the end of your academic year. Please contact the Office of Student Information if you need clarification.
Why can't American Data Bank get my Childline clearance from PA?
State policy mandates the clearance be ordered by you. The waiver you complete will allow PA to send the results directly to ADB.
I had a PPD last year. Why do I need to do it again?
The PPD is only good for one year; you will need to do this test annually as a nurse as well.
Why do I have to do a two-step PPD or IGRA blood test upon matriculation?
Many of our facilities where you will do clinical require a baseline PPD.
What is a two-step PPD?
A two-step PPD is two complete PPDs (placement and reading) completed within a month of each other.
What is a IGRA blood test?
The IGRA blood tests, such a Quantiferon Gold, provide a baseline test for TB. The test is more efficient than the two-step PPD, requiring one rather than four visits to your healthcare provider.
Why does my clinical site want a new PPD (or a new drug screen)? I just did this!
Some clinical sites have more additional requirements. You may be required to get a two-step PPD if you haven't had one this year, or complete a drug screen at the time the clinical site requires.
Where can I take a CPR course?
BLS for Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Associationand CPR for the Professional Rescurer by the Red Crossare acceptable courses; check these organizations' websites for course availability. SNAP also offers courses on occassion.
I'm going abroad next term. How can I make sure I meet the deadlines?
Please contact the Office of Student Information for an accelerated timeline in the beginning of the semester PRIOR to the term you are going abroad. The final deadline is not flexible, but we will work with you to ensure you meet the requirements.
What happens if I miss the compliance deadline?
Students who miss the compliance deadline will be dropped from clinical courses and placed on registration hold. If compliance is reached prior to the start of courses, the registration hold will be lifted, and you will be charged a $300 late registration fee. No students are permitted to enter a clinical setting if not compliant.