Criminal Background Checks an Drug Screening
All students in the Master of Science Degree program in the Elon University Department of Physician Assistant Studies are required to complete a criminal background check and drug screen through Viewpoint prior to matriculation into the Program and annually throughout the duration of the Program. Students are required to upload the documentation of the drug and background screening results to Exxat under “Required Documentation.” At any time during your enrollment in the Program additional drug screening may be required to address any concerns for meeting technical standards. The student is responsible for all financial costs associated with background checks and drug screenings. The offer of admission is conditional upon results of the background check and drug screening.
Criminal background checks include but are not limited to the following:
- National Sex Offender Registry search
- Determination of areas of residence for the past seven years through a social security number check
- State and local (county)-level search based on areas of residence for the past seven years for all:
- levels of criminal offense
- types of adjudications
- legal processes not yet resolved
- oother types of offenses
Should background checks or drug screens yield any criminal information, the offer of admission or continued enrollment in the program may be revoked.
It is important to remember that all drug tests are federally regulated. Since marijuana is still illegal at the federal jurisdiction level, it will continue to be recorded as a controlled substance on drug screening. It doesn't matter whether the state in which you live has legalized the drug. Further, drug testing tries to isolate THC, the regulated component of marijuana, and therefore use of CBD products, theoretically, should not result in a positive test. However, CBD products and formulations vary widely, and use of CBD products will not be an acceptable reason for a positive screen. Any prescription medication which results in a positive test will be subject to review by the Program.
In addition, for any charges or legal infractions that occur between the time of submission of the admission application and matriculation into the Program, the specific details, including date of charge(s), type of offense, and disposition of the case, must be reported to the Program Director immediately. Any legal charges or infractions that occur after matriculation into the Program also must be reported to the Program Director immediately. Institutional review of the specific facts may determine grounds for dismissal from the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
As a prerequisite to participating in patient care at clinical sites during the academic year and clinical education phase, students will be required to undergo one or more additional national criminal background checks, which may include finger printing. Records may be shared with clinical sites to determine student eligibility to participate in patient care activities.
In addition, students will complete a drug screening prior to the onset of clinical experiences. Depending on specific clinical site requirements, this may need to be repeated one or more times during the clinical phase of the program.
Criminal background checks or drug screening results that limit the Program’s ability to secure clinical experiences can prevent a student from being promoted to the clinical education phase or recommended for graduation. By accepting admission to the Program, students agree to submit to national criminal background checks and drug screening, and also agree to pay expenses associated with these requirements. Any student who refuses a background check or drug screen will be subject to immediate dismissal from the Program.
Because of the mandate to comply with health system policies, and the serious implications of a “non-negative” test, disciplinary actions against students may be imposed without the customary mechanisms of warning and probation.
Students must discontinue coursework (clinical or non-clinical) immediately after a “non-negative” urine drug screen is received. As a result, the student will not be able to complete the requirements of the education program and will be dismissed from the program following final review by the Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.