Vaccines, Health & Safety Requirements
FOR ACCEPTED APPLICANTS
To be eligible for clinical labs and animal related work, you must complete and submit the following program specific requirements:
1. Health Assessment Form:
Screening for immunity to the rabies virus and verifying that your immunizations are up to date is a requirement of this program.
Required upon entry into the program, accepted applicants must provide an Immunization Certificate to ParaMed as proof of Tetanus Vaccine obtained within the past 10 years. Students are required to obtain vaccinations and a rabies titre at AC Health Services at the Ottawa Campus. The cost is approximately $630 and is payable through the student ancillary fees. Proof of pre-exposure rabies must be submitted to ParaMed by December 1st.
2. Pre-exposure Rabies Vaccine, Rabies Titer and Tetanus Vaccination
Students in the Veterinary Technician program are required to obtain pre-exposure rabies vaccines, a rabies titre and a tetanus booster. Immunization for rabies consists of a series of three vaccines administered over a three-week period (Day 0, Day 7 and Day 21). The estimated cost for this series of rabies vaccines is $630 and it will be administered by AC Health Services during the Fall semester. The fees for this vaccine are now covered by incidental fees. Students are required to make appointments with AC Health Services after ACDay1 Orientation.
The Rabies titre is a blood test and is required one month after the last Rabies booster is given. The titre can be completed on campus at AC Health Services by appointment. The blood test confirms that the body has produced enough antibodies to be protected from the Rabies virus. As you will be in contact with animals in the second semester, it is imperative that you be fully vaccinated (rabies, rabies titre and tetanus), and obtain medical documentation confirming vaccination prior to entering second semester (level 2).
Students will require time to upload their documentation to Paramed, complete other requirements (WHMIS training), and allow for Paramed to review all documents before December 1st.
3. Police Records Check Documentation:
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Records Check Program requirements.
To be eligible to participate in lab, clinic and placement activities starting in Level 02 of the program and continuing throughout, students must submit a clear Police Criminal Records Check (PCRC). It is the student`s responsibility to obtain the PCRC from their local Police Department and pay all associated costs. Should further information be required, contact the Program Chair.
4. Health and Safety Certification
All students are required to take two online student health and safety training courses and provide completion certificates to ParaMed along with their medical documents prior to the end of their first semester.
Ontario Health & Safety Awareness Training (OHSA)
Among other topics, this teaches participants the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties, duties and rights of workers and supervisors and general workplace hazards.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training
This course teaches participants about the WHMIS regulations and how to identify and work safely with controlled products and chemical hazards in the workplace.
Students obtain access to complete these courses at the start of the semester. Register for free by using your student ID number at: https://www.yowcanada.com/algonquin/students/