5.3.5 - Additional Requirements

All workforce members with direct provision of patient care are required to have successfully completed the Health Care Provider Level of Basic Life Support (BLS) course.  The College requires that re-training is certified every two years, consistent with protocol from the American Heart Association (AHA). Online CPR training is accepted only if there is a practical component to the certification.

1. All students must obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for the duration of their educational program.  The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry’s Health and Safety Committee recommends either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers CPR course which includes adult, child, and automatic external defibrillator (AED) training. Online CPR courses do not meet the criteria for this requirement; the course must have a practical application component. 
    
2. All entering students must upload a copy of their BLS card into their profile in the Complio® system no later than the first day of the fall semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the expiration date and renew the certification before expiration. Current students who allow their certification to expire will be removed from all clinics until certification is renewed and a current card has been uploaded to their profile in the Complio® system. The College of Dentistry’s Office of Compliance oversees student training and compliance.
    
3. All faculty and staff in charge of the provision of patient care are required to maintain a current Health Care Provider Level Basic Life Support certification.  All employee records of training are maintained electronically.
    
4. Current AHA policy will not allow BLS certification to any person who is unable to physically perform the procedures in BLS and they are issued a Heart Saver Card only. Faculty that fall in this category are not allowed to supervise any clinical operations unless other faculty with full certification is present.

NOTE: Students will not be able to attend class or clinic as long as their CPR has expired.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use my Heartsaver card for First Aid and CPR instead of taking a BLS class?

No. This course is not for healthcare professionals but geared toward fitness trainers, babysitters, construction workers, or other safety professionals. You must be certified in a BLS class for Healthcare Professionals.  Military CPR that meets the BLS standard is acceptable.

2. Can I use my Military CPR card?

Military CPR that meets the BLS standard is acceptable.

After reviewing the OUHSC Student Handbook, OUCOD Student Handbook, and Clinical Operations Manual, each student must electronically sign and date the Policy Acknowledgment located within Complio.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Where is the COD Student Handbook and Clinic Operations Manual located?

The COD Student Handbook and Clinic Operations Manual are located on the College of Dentistry website. You must use your Username and Password to gain access. On the left side of the screen, click the STUDENTS link and then click the Student Handbook and Clinic Manuals link.

2. Where is the OUHSC Student Handbook located?

You can find the OUHSC Student Handbook here:  https://studenthandbook.ouhsc.edu/

Students must electronically sign and submit the Technology Consent and Release Agreement form within Complio. The student permits the COD to use their voice, image, likeness, works, etc., for educational purposes.

Students may also opt out of the Technology Consent and Release Agreement. A student's voice, image, face likeness, video recordings, video classroom captures, photographs, and/or voice recordings may not be utilized, for any reason, unless a release is provided. Opting out of the Technology Consent and Release will not allow photos or images to be published within the annual yearbook.

OU policy requires that all laptops used for University business – including checking OU email- be encrypted, regardless of who owns the laptop or what operating system is installed. Health Sciences program students must encrypt their laptop computers and maintain the encryption status while enrolled as Health Sciences students. Failure to comply with this policy will delay a student’s participation in academic and clinical training. Click this link to begin the process: https://www.ou.edu/ouit/studentencryption 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do I show compliance?

When you complete the steps in the link above, you will receive a confirmation email from the OU Information Technology (IT) Service Desk showing a status of “Resolved.”  Starting today, Friday, October 20, 2023, HSC students may begin uploading a PDF version of their encryption confirmation email to Complio in the new Device Encryption category. Any Health Sciences program student who has not uploaded the required documentation by Tuesday, January 16, 2024, will be deemed non-compliant in the Complio system and their participation in academic and clinical training will be delayed. To access Complio, please visit here.

2. What is device encryption and what does it do?

Device encryption is a technology that protects the contents of your laptop from unauthorized access by converting the contents into unreadable code.  Encryption provides a stronger level of protection than other security features, such as user logins and passwords.  Device encryption encrypts the entire drive and therefore users do not need to encrypt individual folders or files.

3. Why is device encryption important?

The main value of device encryption is protecting data if the device is lost or stolen.  Laptops are portable and thus more likely to be lost or stolen.  A simple login does not protect the data, but device encryption does.

4. Is device encryption common practice? 

Encryption is a basic requirement for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance and is commonly required for handling other forms of sensitive information. It is expected practice in the health care industry.  As a healthcare professional, you will be required to take similar steps to protect patients and other sensitive information.

5. Must I encrypt my personal laptop?

Yes.  All faculty, staff, and students at OU must encrypt any laptop computer that is used as part of University business.  For students, University business includes tasks such as academic assignments, research, and even checking OU email.  All students enrolled in Health Sciences programs must encrypt their laptops.

6. How long does it take to encrypt my hard drive?

It takes about 20 minutes to enable the encryption software on a laptop and then up to several hours to complete the encryption. During the encryption process, you can use your computer normally. The encryption process should not disrupt your work, but keep your laptop plugged in and avoid shutting it down or restarting it. 

7. How do I start the process?

Your laptop has a native (built-in) encryption program.  You will enable that encryption and then download the program that will confirm your encryption has been completed and remains on your device.  Visit https://www.ou.edu/ouit/studentencryption. 

8. What type of encryption software does OU use? 

OU uses Microsoft's BitLocker Drive Encryption for devices running Windows 10/11 Education or Pro or above and Apple's FileVault for devices running Macintosh OS X.  Both encryption solutions are native to the respective operating system and offer significant improvement in system performance.  Mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, are also encrypted using native device encryption.

9. Need help?

If you need further assistance, call IT Service Desk at (405) 325-HELP (4357) or visit itsupport.ou.edu.

A national criminal background check (“CBC”) is required of each conditionally accepted applicant prior to full admission and at least annually thereafter for every continuing student.  Conditionally accepted applicants who have an adverse finding on a CBC report may be denied full admission/matriculation, and current students may be disciplined in accordance with established University policy.

First year students will complete their initial CBC through Certiphi when completing their applications for acceptance. Returning students will complete their annual CBC through Complio beginning their second year. The Director of Compliance will notify students when to initiate the CBC process and of the deadline. CBC must be initiated by the student before the deadline or the student will be held from class or clinic. Students should allow at least 3 business days for the results to be reported. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Where do I go to complete a background check?

You will purchase the background check option through Complio. Be sure that all of your information is accurate by listing all of the names you have used in the past plus any additional addresses where you may have lived. The cost is $56.70.

Drug Screening is required for OUHSC students/accepted applicants admitted to designated degree programs that include or may include a clinical component at a health care facility that uses drug screening as a condition of its affiliation with the University.

As applicable, students/accepted applicants who do not pass the drug screening may be unable to complete degree requirements or may be denied admission to or suspended or dismissed from the degree program. 

Drug screenings are required annually. The Director of Compliance will notify students when to initiate the Drug Screening process and of the deadline. The Drug Screening must be initiated by the student before the deadline or the student will be held from class or clinic. Students should allow at least 3 business days for the results to be reported. See the Drug Screening Policy for details.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Where do I go to initiate a drug screening?

You will purchase the drug screening option through Complio. Be sure to follow the directions in the email for the drug screening process. The cost is $34.00.

2. I have a medical marijuana card, where do I send it?

After completing your required drug screening, if you test positive for Cannabinoids, you will be contacted by the Medical Review Officer from Complio or the Director of Compliance.  They will only attempt to contact you three times. Be sure to answer this call or return any calls as soon as possible.  You will supply the Director of Compliance with a copy of your marijuana card by emailing it to Kim-Graziano@ouhsc.edu.

3. I am currently out of the state of Oklahoma, can I take my drug test in another state?

Yes, you will utilize the map within Complio to find alternate locations in different cities or states. Testing is available all over the US but you will need to locate one that is contracted with Complio or the COD will NOT receive your results.

4. I received my drug test results back and they state “Negative – Dilute”. What should I do now?

You will need to retest. Follow the same instructions as before; be sure not to drink too much water or other liquid before testing. To avoid dilute samples, please limit your fluid intake to 24 ounces 2 hours preceding the collection. The cost of the drug screening and any retakes is $34.00 each time.

5. I selected the wrong lab. How can I choose another lab? 

If you selected a LabCorp lab, you can find the nearest LabCorp to process your sample. All LabCorp labs are within Complio's network. You will need your Authorization Form and a government-issued identification to complete the drug screening. 

If you selected a Quest lab, you must contact Complio to find another Quest lab within their network. The Customer Service phone number is 1-800-200-0853. Locate your order number from your recent emails to help them find your account information faster. 

Medical marijuana is legal in the State of Oklahoma, but current and prospective dental students should be aware of the following issues that may arise during their academic career in the College of Dentistry. Absent specific requirements from affiliated partners, students who test positive for a marijuana derivative (THC) and have a license for medical marijuana will be regarded in the same way as students with prescriptions for drugs screened by drug test panels. Our current vendor will submit tests positive for THC to their Medical Review Officer (MRO) for review. The MRO will contact the student and they will have to provide proof of a current medical marijuana license card to the MRO for verification. The drug screening will still report positive but will indicate a medical marijuana card has been presented.  It is at the discretion of the Director of Compliance and/or The Dean of Student Affairs to request a copy of the medical marijuana license card.

The College of Dentistry will work with our affiliated partners to identify whether the rotation sites will accept a positive drug test if the student has a license for medical marijuana.  A positive result may prohibit a student with a medical marijuana license from attending a rotation if that rotation site does not accept the medical marijuana license as an exception to its drug policy. This could result in the student’s inability to complete experiential requirements and delay or prevent a student from graduating.

The University of Oklahoma receives federal funds and is legally bound to comply with the Federal Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.  As required by the Act, please be aware that students are not permitted to use (smoke or consume), possess, distribute, or cultivate marijuana for any reason on campus even if they have a medical marijuana license.