VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

recommended, or otherwise authorized, is prohibited by VCOM. While lawful alcohol consumption off-campus is not prohibited, alcohol-related impairment, misuse, or conduct that adversely affects academic performance, professionalism, safety, or participation in educational/clinical activities is prohibited. Further, VCOM has an obligation to their clinical healthcare partners to maintain safe, productive, and drug- and alcohol-free environments. Participation in clinical rotations during a student’s time at VCOM is an essential requirement of the curriculum. VCOM’s clinical healthcare partners require that all participants submit a negative drug screen prior to participation in clinical rotations. These requirements assist the student in maintaining personal and professional integrity and facilitate the student’s success in their education. They promote a healthy teaching/learning environment for the student, and in the clinical setting, ensures patient safety. They also foster the development of a professional who is aware of and considers the prevalence and adverse physical, psychological and social outcomes of substance use. Therefore, students using these substances are not suitable candidates for admission, promotion, or graduation. Substance Use Testing Scheduled drug screening is performed on one or two occasions during a student’s enrollment at VCOM. In addition, “for cause” drug and alcohol testing may be initiated when concerns are raised regarding the performance, behavior, or actions of a medical student that indicate a reasonable suspicion for substance impairment. Reasonable suspicion may include, but is not limited to: • Direct observation of drug or alcohol use or possession; • Physical symptoms indicative of being under the influence; • Abnormal or erratic behavior; • Observation of poor judgment or careless acts which caused or had the potential to cause patient injury, jeopardize the safety of self or others or resulted in damage to equipment; • Alterations in student clinical and/or didactic performance that may not be attributed to other causes; • Arrest or conviction of a drug or alcohol related offense; • Being identified as the subject of a drug-related criminal investigation; Any concerns that raise these suspicions for substance impairment will be reported to VCOM administration who will then determine whether “for cause” testing is appropriate. Scheduled or “for cause” testing may be performed on campus or at a qualified designated laboratory site identified by the College. A positive drug test on campus will result in a repeated test within a forensic laboratory as arranged by the administration. In general, the laboratory site will carry a forensic certified testing program certified by the College of American Pathologists for testing. Compliance with scheduled or “for cause” drug and alcohol testing of medical students is a condition of continued enrollment. For patient, faculty, and/or student safety, compulsory dismissal may result if a student refuses to consent to testing. The requirement that a student be tested as well as the test results will remain confidential and disclosed only to those individuals within VCOM with a need to know, as well as any licensing, registering or certification boards that have a need to know. • Credible information from independent sources; • Evidence of drug tampering or misappropriation; • Accidents or illnesses caused by substance use; • Patterns of absenteeism and/or lateness; • Evidence that a previous drug or alcohol test was tampered with; or • Possession of drug paraphernalia.

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