VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

requirements and technical standards to safely and effectively participate in the VCOM educational or clinical care programs.

In emergency situations, the Campus Dean, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, may bypass some or all of the above steps and considerations, in order to ensure campus safety or patient safety in the clinical sites, and/or the safety of other students. Nothing in this or other policies shall be construed to prevent VCOM from requiring students to, at all times, meet the College/program essential eligibility requirements and technical standards, and the policies and procedures that assure campus safety. The imposing of a MMLOA is an academic decision and is not a disciplinary action; however, separate disciplinary action may also occur as a result of a separate action by the student or an action from an underlying behavior of the student, pursuant to this Handbook. If VCOM decides to impose a MMLOA, the Campus Dean will advise the student, via official VCOM email, followed by a letter delivered via certified mail and verbally by the appropriate administrator, of the leave and duration of the leave, any restrictions from coming on campus or entering a clinical site, and available grievance procedures should the student wish to challenge the decision. VCOM shall document the decision, as well as the underlying facts, assessments and determinations. Requesting to Return to the Academic Program from a Mandatory Medical Leave of Absence VCOM students who have been on MMLOA must first seek approval from the Campus Dean in order to request a reinstatement. The Campus Dean may reconvene the IAT to determine what documentation may be needed to assess the student’s ability to return. The Campus Dean will then alert the student to all documentation required to be considered for a reinstatement, such as a release from the health professionals who are or were caring for the student, a criminal background check, immunization compliance, and any other documentation as determined necessary by the Individualized Assessment Team to make their determination, based upon evidence, that the student is ready to resume studies and academic responsibilities and to be safely involved in patient care. Such evidence may include, but is not limited to: a. Documentation of attempts to resolve issues that led to the MMLOA; b. Release of academic records and reason for the MMLOA to the treating physician(s); c. Release by the student to treatment records that document the student’s ability to return; d. Consultation with, or clearance from, College Health Services; e. Consultation with the CIFSS to determine if reasonable accommodations are available; and f. Demonstrated ability to safely manage the stresses of academic study and to safely participate in patient care (safety of the patient and the student). Class placement upon return may be determined by the Promotion Board to assure the student gains all the required medical knowledge to become a safe, practicing, osteopathic physician. All returning students must meet the essential eligibility requirements and technical standards of the College.

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