Policies & Procedures

AA4030 Disciplinary Policy for Students Enrolled in Health Science Division Programs

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the academic, clinical, and professional expectations for students enrolled in programs within the Health Sciences Division.

Statement of the Policy

In addition to SUNY Broome College’s policies and procedures and those outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, students in the Health Sciences Division are required to meet specific academic, behavioral, and professional standards. These standards reflect the rigor and responsibilities associated with healthcare professions and are necessary to meet accreditation, licensing, and certification requirements.

Students must:

• Maintain required academic performance, including minimum grade requirements for course progression and credential completion.
• Demonstrate competency in lab and clinical skills to ensure the safety of patients, themselves, and others.
• Exhibit professional behavior consistent with expectations of their chosen field and those of clinical affiliates.

Health Sciences programs and microcredentials have specific academic requirements, including minimum grade thresholds for progression. Students should consult their program’s catalog and handbook for detailed requirements. In accredited programs, failure of two required courses, as defined in the catalog and program handbook, will result in program dismissal.

Failure to meet these standards may result in disciplinary action under the program’s progressive disciplinary process. Depending on the severity or recurrence of violations, the Department Chair may recommend dismissal from the program to the Division Dean. In the event of dismissal, the Dean will send the student a memorandum of dismissal. In serious cases, students may be temporarily removed from clinical sites, labs, or classrooms while a review is conducted. Clinical affiliates also reserve the right to request a student’s removal from their site.

Related Policies

n/a

To whom it applies

All potential and enrolled students within Health Sciences Division programs.

General Guidelines

Students may receive a verbal or written warning, a plan for remediation, or face dismissal from a program, for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

Academic Standards

The following are examples of actions related to maintaining academic standards that may lead to warnings, remediation, or dismissal:

• Inability to competently or safely perform lab or clinical skills
• Failure to maintain the required academic standards of the program
• Repeated unexcused absences or tardiness to class, lab, or clinical settings
• Failure to comply with remediation plans established by program faculty
• Failure of a required course necessary for progression in the program
• Violation of academic standards, not already specified

Unprofessional behavior

The following behaviors are considered unprofessional and may lead to warnings, remediation, or dismissal:

• Use of chemical substances or being under the influence in class, lab, or clinical settings
• Fraternization with patients or individuals in supervisory roles (e.g., clinical staff or /instructor)
• Disrespectful behavior towards students, faculty, staff, clinical personnel, or patients
• Inability to maintain personal and professional boundaries
• Unprofessional or inappropriate dress, including failure to meet dress code, personal hygiene, or appearance expected of a professional in the field
• Failure to take responsibility for one’s actions and resultant outcomes
• Inability to maintain professional composure, affecting the ability to provide safe and competent care
• Use of personal electronic devices in prohibited areas
• Insubordination toward faculty, staff, or clinical preceptors/supervisors
• Disruption of instruction in class, lab, or clinical environments
• Violations of the College’s Academic Honesty Policy
• Repeated lack of preparation for class, lab, or clinical experiences
• Sleeping during class or clinical hours
• Incivility toward classmates, faculty, staff, clinical staff or patients
• Misuse of clinical time
• Failure to uphold patient safety standards
• Failure to follow clinical policies and procedures
• Unauthorized soliciting, vending, or distribution of unauthorized materials
• Unprofessional behavior, not already specified

Illegal and/or unethical conduct

The following behaviors are considered violations of professional and ethical standards and may lead to warnings, remediation, or dismissal:

• Fraudulent behavior or documentation
• Immoral, indecent, illegal, or unethical conduct
• Misuse or falsification of student clinical records, including timesheets
• Performing skills, interventions, or tests outside of professional scope of practice
• Failure to follow medical orders or supervisor directives
• Failure to comply with College and/or clinical site policies and procedures
• Illegal or unethical conduct, not already specified

Actions That May Result in Immediate Dismissal:

The following actions are considered serious violations and may result in immediate dismissal from the program:

• Threatening, bullying, or abusive behavior (e.g. physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional)
• Possession or use of weapons
• Theft of property from a lab or clinical site
• Falsification, misuse, or unauthorized alteration of medical or clinical records
• Removal or duplication of medical or clinical records without authorization
• Violations of HIPAA regulations
• Actions that endanger the safety or well-being of patient, staff, or others in the clinical setting
• Abandonment of patient(s)

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

• Remediation – A formal, individualized plan designed to address specific deficiencies in academic, clinical, or professional performance, with the expected student behaviors outlined with a specified timeframe.

• Dismissal – Permanent removal from a Health Sciences program due to failure to meet academic, clinical, or professional standards.

• Clinical Affiliate – An external organization, such as a hospital, clinic, or community-based agency, where students complete required experiential learning under supervision.

• Clinical Site Removal – A temporary or permanent removal of a student from a clinical setting due to concerns regarding performance, professionalism, or safety, as requested by the site or the College.

• Unprofessional Behavior – Any conduct, action, or appearance that violates the ethical or behavioral expectations of a healthcare professional, as defined by the College, program, clinical partner, or profession.

• Insubordination – The willful disregard or defiance of directives given by faculty, clinical supervisors, or staff in an academic or clinical setting.

• 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.

• Program Handbook – A document developed by each academic program outlining unique academic, clinical, professional, and behavioral expectations, grading standards, and procedural processes that supplement College-wide policies.