Policies & Procedures

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure consistent and fair outcomes by outlining the steps of the progressive disciplinary process for students enrolled in Health Sciences Division programs.

Related Policies

AA4030 Disciplinary Policy for Students Enrolled in Health Science Division Programs

Statement of the Procedure

Students in Health Sciences programs are expected to:

• Meet academic, clinical, and professional standards aligned with the expectations of their chosen healthcare profession;
• Satisfy accreditation, certification and licensure requirements; and
• Demonstrate safe and competent performance in both laboratory and clinical settings to protect the well-being of patients, peers, and themselves.

If a student fails to meet any of these expectations, the progressive disciplinary procedure may be initiated.

Immediate Dismissal for Severe Offenses

Students who commit violations deemed so serious as to warrant immediate dismissal (e.g., threats, falsification of records, HIPAA violations) are ineligible to return to the program. The Registrar’s Office and Admissions Office will be notified accordingly, and the status noted in the student’s record.

If dismissal is recommended, the Program Director or Department Chair will forward the recommendation to the Division Dean who will make the decision for dismissal.

Initiation of Disciplinary Action

Faculty or staff may initiate disciplinary action when a concern arises related to a student’s academic performance, professional conduct, or clinical/laboratory competency that may impede their progression in the program.

• All warnings and disciplinary actions must be documented using the Progressive Disciplinary Form.
• The Department Chair or Program Director will review and sign the form, and a copy will be maintained in the student’s program record.
• Faculty and staff are responsible for clearly identifying the concern and outlining specific expectations for improvement. These may include:
  • Academic remediation plans;
  • Clinical or lab skill development;
  • Behavioral or professional conduct improvement
• Students have the opportunity to provide a written response on the Progressive Disciplinary Form and will be asked to sign the form, and will be provided with a copy of the form.
• A student’s signature on the disciplinary form is intended to acknowledge that the warning was received and does not constitute agreement on the part of the

Verbal Warning

A verbal warning will be issued within five (5) business days of the incident or its report. Although delivered verbally, the warning must be documented on the Progressive Disciplinary Form, signed by the student, and placed in the student’s program file.

Written Warning

A written warning will be issued within five (5) business days of the incident or its report. The warning must be documented on the Progressive Disciplinary Form, signed by the student, and placed in the program file.

Escalated Action

If concerns persist after prior warnings, the Program Director/Department Chair, in consultation with faculty or staff, will determine next steps. These may include:

• Implementation of an additional or revised remediation plan;
• Temporary removal from clinical, lab, or class setting;
• Recommendation for program removal

Dismissal

If dismissal is recommended, the Program Director or Department Chair will forward the recommendation to the Division Dean who will make the decision for dismissal. In the event of dismissal, the student will be notified by the Division Dean via a memorandum of dismissal.

Course Failure in Accredited Programs

For accredited programs:

• Failure of one required course, as defined in the program catalog and handbook, will result in a written warning.
• Failure of a second required course will result in dismissal from the program

Students should refer to their specific program catalog and handbook for detailed academic progression requirements.

Related Policies (by number)

n/a

To whom it applies (title or department)

All enrolled students within Health Sciences Division programs.

Appeal

A student may appeal a dismissal decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) within five (5) business days of notification. The VPAA will review the case and issue a written response within 10 business days. The VPAA’s decision is final.

Definitions

For purposes of this procedure, the following definitions apply:

• Progressive Disciplinary Process – A structured, stepwise approach to student discipline that may include verbal warnings, written warnings, remediation, suspension from clinical/lab/class, and dismissal from the program.
• Warning (Verbal or Written) – A formal notification issued to a student that outlines the nature of a concern, expectations for improvement, and potential consequences of continued violations. All warnings are documented on the Progressive Discipline Form and placed in the student’s program file.
• Remediation Plan – A formal, individualized educational plan designed to address specific deficiencies in academic, clinical, or professional performance, with the expected student behaviors outlined with a specified timeframe.
• Dismissal Recommendation – A formal request submitted by the Program Director or Department Chair to the Division Dean for permanent removal of a student from their program due to failure to meet outlined expectations.
• Immediate Dismissal – The immediate and permanent removal of a student from their program without prior warnings or remediation due to a serious violation (e.g., HIPAA breach, falsification of records, endangering patient safety).
• Clinical Affiliate – An external organization, such as a hospital, clinic, or community-based agency, where students complete required experiential learning under
• Accredited Program – A Health Sciences program that has received official recognition from a programmatic accrediting body based on specific standards.
• Required Course A course designated in the program catalog or handbook as essential for academic progression and/or credential completion within a program.
• Program File – The student record maintained by the department that documents a student’s academic performance, disciplinary actions, remediation plans, and other relevant These files are kept in accordance with the College’s record retention policies and accreditation standards and expectations.
• Scope of Practice – The procedures, actions, and responsibilities that an unlicensed student is authorized to perform based on their training, level of supervision, clinical affiliates and program policies and procedures.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) – A federal law that protects patient health information and governs its use and disclosure by healthcare professionals, including students during clinical placements.

Forms for further clarification of procedure

Progressive Disciplinary Form