Frequently Asked Questions
The following will hopefully answer any questions you have, but if not, please contact the Clinical Education Compliance Coordinators.
Sharon Mantz & May-Lissa Valentin
Clinical Education Compliance Coordinators
compliance@clarksoncollege.edu
Why is health and safety compliance needed?
For more than 125 years, Clarkson College has had a long standing history of excellence among the community and our clinical partners. Clarkson College has a mission to prepare students to be the best. Part of this preparation is taking precautions to prevent communicable diseases for students preparing to enter and/or continue in a health care profession, which includes meeting the requirements of the accrediting bodies and clinical agencies. Contracts with our clinical partners align each academic program with their specific health and safety requirements. Health and safety compliance ensures the College is in good standing and meets all necessary accreditation standards.
What is CastleBranch (myCB)?
CastleBranch (myCB) is the account for your program requirements, Medical Document Manager, Background Check and Drug Test (if required by program). Once you create your account you will be able to upload all documentations needed for compliance in your program. You will have access to your Background Check and Drug Test results if ordered. This account is a personal cloud storage and allows for additional personal documentation to be uploaded as well.
When and how do I sign-up for my myCB account?
You will receive an e-mail in your College e-mail account that includes the code(s) needed to place an order for your myCB account. The deadline is included in the message and the timing is defined by the term. You will be directed to visit mycb.castlebranch.com to enter the package code(s) in the “Place Order” box.
How often should I check my Clarkson College e-mail account?
E-mail is the primary means of communication at the College and is used by faculty, staff and students. You should plan to check your Clarkson College e-mail account daily. We recommend that students do not forward their Clarkson College e-mail address to another account. Once your e-mail leaves the Clarkson College domain, we cannot control who has access to it.
How do I upload my records?
To upload your documents, there are several options:
Uploading Documents Instructions
- Scan (best method) in and save to your document storage of choice (my documents, Dropbox, etc.) to retrieve to upload.
- Take a picture using a smartphone or iPad to directly submit your documents. If using a smartphone, the picture would need to be saved to the document storage of choice to be retrieved for upload.
- Fax: A coversheet can be downloaded to fax in an item from your myCB account.
- Mail: A coversheet can be downloaded to include with items mailed from a myCB account.
How do I view the status of myCB account?
- Open your account.
- Click on Document Center.
- Click on My Documents.
- Click on Clinical Requirements.
- Click on the file named "Results."
- Click on Download to open the file.
- Once opened, the "To-Do-List Summary Report" will appear. This report will show all status details of your requirements in your account.
Why is the pending review not showing after I have pressed SUBMIT during the upload process in myCB account?
It may be the size of the documentation. There is a 5 MB size limit. Images (photos) or documents with images can make for files too big and over this limit. You may try resaving the document with a new name and then reupload it. If this does not correct this issue, please contact CastleBranch.
Which of my requirements need renewed and when?
- BLS/ACLS/PALS Certification: every two years
- Tetanus Shot: every 10 years
- Licensure: active licensure as required by state of issuance (varies)
- TB Skin Test, Health Insurance, Clinical FERPA Release, HIPPA, Bloodborne Pathogen & Flu Shot: once per year
What is a titer?
Antibody titer is a laboratory test that measures the level of antibodies in a blood sample. The antibody level in the blood tells your doctor whether or not you have been exposed to an antigen or something that the body thinks is foreign. The body uses antibodies to attack and remove foreign substances.
A blood sample is needed to perform the test. For information on how this is done, see venipuncture. No special preparation is necessary for this test.
Do vaccines interfere with the results of TB Skin Test?
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) can interfere with the results of a TST, however live vaccines can be administered on the same day as a TST without interfering with the results. If a live vaccine is given a day or more before a TST, there must be a 28 day interval between the vaccine and the TST. A live vaccine can be given following the evaluation of a TST.
NOTE: In the case of a two step TST, a dose of MMR or varicella vaccine can be given on the same day the first TST is administered. Then 28 days must elapse between that dose of MMR or varicella vaccine and administering a second TST.
What is Varicella?
Chickenpox.
When and who should you receive Varicella vaccines?
People 13 years of age and older (who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated, and never had chickenpox, should receive one or two doses of chickenpox vaccine. The timing of these doses depends on the person’s age. Ask your doctor. Chickenpox vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Some people should not get chickenpox vaccine or should wait.
- People should not get chickenpox vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of chickenpox vaccine or to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.
- People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting chickenpox vaccine.
- Pregnant women should wait to get chickenpox vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not get pregnant for 1 month after getting chickenpox vaccine.
- Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get chickenpox vaccine, including anyone who:
- Has HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
- Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer
- Has any kind of cancer
- Is getting cancer treatment with radiation or drugs
- People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may get chickenpox vaccine. Ask your provider for more information.
What is a declination form?
For the Influenza (flu shot), you have the option to complete a declination form. The form can be downloaded from your account. The purpose of this form is for declining the immunization for reasons of health or religion. The form should not be completed to state the immunization will be done when available. Influenza is seasonal and usually available October through April. For Clarkson College, Influenza is due Nov. 30, and the requirement would then be uploaded for the current year.
As a student, am I required to have the COVID-19 Vaccination?
Clarkson College does not require students to have the vaccine, but some of the clinical institution’s students attend do. The COVID-19 Vaccination then is considered onboarding for the clinical institution and follow the institutions policy and procedures. The institution may accept medical, religious, or personal exemptions, processes, to be regularly tested, and/or wear a mask or use other protective devices, while on the clinical campus, in patient care areas, or healthcare/organization facilities based on clinical-site specific requirements. Students may also be required to pay for these protective devices and testing.*
*ACADEMIC PROGRESSION DISCLAIMER
Students may be excluded from participation in clinical activities based on my vaccination status, and thus unable to progress in their program, due to clinical site-specific vaccination policies. Clarkson College is required to follow clinical policies and will work with each student, follow all ADA and accrediting bodyrequirements, to assist students in program progression. The College cannot guarantee that clinical placement will be available or in alignment with degree plan sequences, and graduation may be delayed.
Is there a scanner available on campus for student use?
Yes, there are three currently.One is located in the Library on the second floor of the main College building; another is available in the Success Center, located on the upper level of the Student Center and one is in the Computer Lab, located on the third floor of the College.
Is there a fax machine available on campus for student use?
Yes, there is one in the Library on the second floor and one in the Success Center.
Is there a special form to take to my doctor for the physical exam?
Yes, it can be downloaded with CastleBranch here or from your myCB account if required.
What do I do if I have trouble meeting Health and Safety deadlines?
Contact your program director to discuss situation and options.
Who is my program director?
General Education Director: Lori Bachle
Community Health & Interprofessional Education Director: Sarah Flanagan
Health Care Business Director: Carla Dirkschneider
Physical Therapist Assistant Director: Jessica Niemann
Radiologic Technology & Medical Imaging Director: Shelli Weddum
Undergraduate Nursing Director: Mary Dishman
Undergraduate Nursing Assistant Director: Dawn Fichter
Nurse Anesthesia Program Administrator: Dr. Adrienne Rochleau
Graduate Nursing (MSN) Assistant Director: Dr. Liz Rogan
Graduate Nursing (MSN) Director: Dr. Layna Himmelberg
Doctor of Nursing Practice Director: Dr. Layna Himmelberg
Doctor in Health Care Education & Leadership: Dr. Gina Toman
When are requirements due?
Initial: myCB account deadlines/requirements are set at:
- Spring – January 30
- Summer – May 30
- Fall - September 30
Initial and renewal: requirements are due in your account NO LATER THAN the “Due Date” that is shown in your account.
Undergraduate Nursing Procedure (Blocking Process):
- Health and Safety Items are due by 4 p.m. the business day PRIOR to Certified Profile’s stated due date.
- Rechecks of non-compliant students will ONLY occur at 4 p.m. the next business day. Any students compliant will be unblocked and allowed to return to clinical at that time. NO students will be unblocked before the 4 p.m. deadline.
- Students missing clinical due to noncompliance will result in unexcused absence (please refer to the absence policy). No make-up assignments or clinical will be allowed.
- Student will meet with faculty to establish a clinical contract to outline expectations.
Other date exceptions: Flu shots and the Clinical FERPA Release are due annually by November 30th.
Students are responsible for checking their account to make sure it is complete and that the items uploaded have been approved. (See Status Report)
How will I receive alert notification for my myCB account?
Certified begins sending you email reminders 60 days prior to the expiration or due date of a requirement, again at 30 days. At 21 days prior, continued with weekly reminders you will see a requirement listed as “Incomplete” this is an item that has a future due date. (The new prompt to upload documentation does not open until after the 21 day prior to the due date.)
What other Health & Safety forms may I need?
FERPA Form for Health and Safety - This form is ONLY for your Health and Safety information in your Certified Profile Account.
Student Confidentiality Form
What do I do if I am instructed to place a second or subsequent order?
Your school administrator will provide you with either your school portal URL or a specific Package Code to enter using CastleBranch.com. If you use the same email address as your account username, your order will be added to your existing account, even if your order is with a different school or program. If you do place an order under a different email address, please contact CastleBranch Service Desk to have the orders merged with your existing account.
How do I change my name?
- For the College, you will complete the Name Change Request Form Name Change Request Form
- For name changes in your MyCB account, please contact CastleBranch at 1.888-666-7788.
What information is contained in "Messages from myCB"?
Within “Messages,” you will find important alerts such as confirmation of order completion, notifications when faxed documents have been uploaded to “My Documents” and reminders about upcoming due dates.
Who will have access to your myCB Account and order results?
School administrators have a unique secure portal that allows authorized users to view a list of their students and/or faculty, view To-Do List progress, get status updates, and view final results. The school administrators do not have direct access to your account.
What If I am no longer enrolled in my program (leave the College or graduate)?
The school administrator will archive your tracker and stop future email notifications.