Departmental Self Review - UCLA Academic Senate

School of Nursing: Fitness-for-Clinical GuidelinesPOLICY:The following guidelines should be utilized whenever an instructor has reasonable causeto believe a student is unfit for clinical instruction as the result of being impaired in somemanner.PURPOSE:To define a process for identifying, interceding and assisting students who instructorssuspect may be impaired and unfit for duty as the result of a chemical and/or emotionalimpairment.PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW:1. The instructor will document his/her observations regarding the student’s behavior andsubstandard work performance by conducting a Fitness-for-Clinical interview. Duringthe interview, the instructor should complete the Fitness-for-Clinical Evaluation form.2. The Assistant Dean for Student Affairs of the School of Nursing (or designee) should benotified of any incidence where a student is suspected of being unfit for clinical practice.All information pertaining to any student’s suspected or actual abuse problem isconfidential.3. If the instructor concludes that the student is able to perform his/her clinicalresponsibilities, the student should be asked to return to the clinical without furtherprohibition or sanction.4. If the instructor concludes that the student is not able to perform his/her clinicalresponsibilities, the student should be suspended from clinical, informed of theUniversity policies that have been violated, and requested to participate in furtherevaluation.5. If the student shows obvious signs of alcohol/drug intoxication, a fluid sample foralcohol/drug concentration is to be obtained, and the student is to be relieved of clinicalresponsibilities for that day. In less clear-cut situations, a physician may perform a morecomplete evaluation. If the findings are normal, the student is to return to clinical. Ifimpairment is indicated, the appropriate urinary and/or blood toxicology profiles are to beobtained. The costs of the diagnostic laboratory test will be paid for by the student.6. If the student is not able to perform his/her clinical responsibilities, refuses to participatein the evaluation process, or indicates impairment by urinary and/or blood toxicologyprofiles, the instructor should try to make arrangements to have the student taken home.Any refusal by the student to accept such assistance should be witnessed by anotherperson (instructor, agency personnel) and should be documented by the instructor.Should the student insist upon driving himself/herself home, the instructor should contact183