Immunizations, Background Check and CPR Requirements
Required Immunizations - All immunizations below are required unless students sign a religious/medical exemption waiver. Practicum sites may not accept students that have not met immunization requirements.
TB: TB tests are good for one year. The test will need to be repeated if it expires prior to completion of the program.
MMR: Documentation of two measles, mumps and rubella immunizations, or a titer indicating immunity. The first injection needs to be completed prior entering the program. The second needs to be completed prior to the end of fall term. If you do not have documentation of childhood immunizations, it is recommended that you start these immunizations or obtain a titer showing immunity as early as possible. Students born before January 1, 1957 do not need to meet the measles requirement but documentation of MMR may be required by practicum facilities, so it is recommended that students complete these immunizations or document titers.
Hepatitis B series: A three-shot series that takes six months to complete. Students should start the series as soon as they know they are registered in MA core classes. The second injection is given four weeks after the first, and needs to be completed by the end of fall term. The third injection is completed four months after the first, and needs to be completed before the end of fall term . A confirmation titer needs to be completed one month after the 3rd injection.
Varicella: evidence of two varicella vaccinations or titer showing immunity. The first injection needs to be completed prior entering the program. The second needs to be completed prior to the end of fall term.
Tdap: evidence of one adult pertussis immunization prior to entering the program
The Deschutes County Health Department has partnered with us to offer a special immunization session for Health Career students only. Certain requirements must be met. Please click here, Immunization Clinic, for more information and dates.
CPR requirement- Students must take HHP 252A or HHP 252 and receive CPR and First Aid cards to meet the CPR requirement. This must be completed no later than the end of Winter term. CPR certification is usually good for two years.
Background Check-
How to start your Background Check
The Background Check cost is approximately $55.
Students must pass the Background Check as required by COCC policy in order to maintain his/her seat in the course.
Results are confidential and are only reviewed by the Medical Assisting Program Director, practicum facilities (only upon request) and appropriate COCC College Administrators.
Students who fail to pass the Background Check will be notified as soon as possible via COCC email and/or phone (as listed in his/her COCC Bobcat Web Account).
Update on background check policy for our Medical Assisting Program preceptor sites:
In the past, it has been difficult for us to inform students about the impact on program completion of incidents that show up on background checks. This is because our students are placed at a number of different sites for their externship or practicum. Each facility has its own approach to background checks. Completing the practicum is a requirement for completing the MA certificate. Therefore, if a practicum site cannot be found for a student with a particular background, that student cannot complete the program. Participation by practicum sites is voluntary and sites cannot be forced to take a student that does not meet their minimum requirements. In the past, this meant that students might enter the program without knowing if incidents on their background check would keep them from completing the program. In an effort to provide more clarity on this subject, the members of the Medical Assisting Advisory Board recently adopted the Oregon State Board of Nursing criminal background standards for certified nursing assistants as the minimum requirement for students entering externship sites. You can go to http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/chc/docs/crimelist.xls for a current list of potentially disqualifying crimes. When the Medical Assistant Program begins to arrange practicum placement, facilities will be informed that these are the standards that will be used unless they provide other guidelines specific to their facilities. Keep in mind that individual facilities may still request that you provide a copy of your background check for verification, may supply more stringent standards or may require that you compete additional background checks or drug testing at your own expense. However, if you meet the criteria specified the program will in all likelihood be able to find you a practicum site.