Compliance and Health Requirements

CastleBranch and Background Screening
All students are required to register with CastleBranch, an online vendor specializing in background screening and compliance management. CastleBranch is renewed yearly or as required by designated clinical sites. Students must upload mandatory health documentation, which includes—but is not limited to—proof of current immunizations, a physical examination, and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification for healthcare providers. Additionally, students must undergo a federal criminal background check and drug screening.

Background Information Disclosure
Acceptance into the Practical Nursing program is tentative pending receipt and review of your CastleBranch background check. If a conviction is identified, continuation in the program is contingent upon approval from affiliated clinical agencies. No clinical placement will be assigned without this approval.

From the date of your background check submission until you graduate from or withdraw from the program, you are required to report any new charges or convictions—including felony, misdemeanor, or municipal ordinance violations—to the Ogeechee Technical College Nursing Associate Dean for Health Sciences within one school day. Failure to disclose such information may result in suspension from clinical activities, potentially delaying or preventing program completion.

CPR Certification
Students must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification specifically designed for healthcare providers. It is essential to verify that the CPR course is intended for healthcare professionals and not general community learners. Fully online CPR certifications are not acceptable; skills demonstration must be completed in person.

CPR certification must remain valid throughout the duration of all clinical courses. Proof of certification is required during clinical orientation. Failure to provide current certification will result in dismissal from clinical experiences and may lead to course failure.

Certifications are only accepted from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Ogeechee Technical College regularly offers approved BLS CPR courses for student convenience. See CPR/BLS Training for more information.

Health Requirements

Required Test/Vaccine	Specific Information
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)	All students born on or after January 1, 1957 should have two doses of the MMR immunization.
Hepatitis B	Students must have completed their Hepatitis B immunization (3-dose series) or have documentation of a positive Hepatitis titer (HBsAb). If a student wishes to decline this series of vaccinations, a declination waiver must be completed and approved by the clinical agency.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)	Students are considered compliant if they have received the Tdap vaccination within the last 10 years. If a student’s Tdap vaccine expires while in the nursing program, they must get the vaccination again and submit, and have approved, documentation to be compliant for clinical.
Varicella (Chickenpox)	All students should have two doses of the Varicella immunization. All students must show evidence of immunity by titer if unable to show proof of vaccine. A history of Chickenpox is not sufficient.
Influenza (Flu shot)	All student nurses are required to have a flu shot annually as soon as it becomes available during the annual “flu season” (early fall through early spring). Documentation/proof must be submitted with month/day/year, site of injection with amount given, lot #, exp. date, and signature of the person giving the immunization.
Tuberculosis (TB)	All nursing students must have a PPD test annually and if unable to show previous years negative PPD will need to complete 2-step PPD initially then yearly PPD. Students must submit documentation/proof (signed by the healthcare provider). Positive PPD Skin Test Result Guidelines: • If a nursing student has a positive PPD result; a negative chest x-ray must be completed within the past 5 years, a note from the health care provider stating the student is asymptomatic must be submitted. The health care provider note must be done annually. • If the review of symptoms indicates active TB, the student must submit documentation that they have begun an appropriate plan of treatment. A nursing student with active TB may not attend clinical. • A QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test is acceptable in place of a PPD skin test.
COVID Vaccine	Effective January 2022, some of our healthcare clinical partners are requiring full COVID-19 vaccinations without exemptions. Full vaccination is strongly suggested before beginning the program to ensure you will be able to complete your clinicals. OTC students will need to comply with any future mandates for boosters or additional variant vaccinations if announced as well. Vaccines can be obtained from the local public health department, the occupational health departments at your local clinic or hospital, or your private physician. Proof is submitted by a provider signature on the GRITS record. If a student wishes to decline this series of vaccinations, a declination waiver must be completed and approved by the clinical agency.

Physical Examination

All students are required to complete a physical examination annually, with documentation from a healthcare provider confirming the student’s ability to safely participate in clinical nursing activities. This documentation must be submitted and approved prior to the start of classes each year.

Students are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining these required health services.

Annual Health Requirements
Students are responsible for maintaining compliance with all ongoing health requirements, including annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings and seasonal influenza vaccinations. Documentation of completed health requirements must be submitted and on file with the college by the designated deadline to maintain clinical eligibility. These requirements are subject to change based on clinical agency policies. Failure to complete or provide documentation for required vaccinations or screenings may result in exclusion from clinical experiences, requiring make-up time in simulation and may negatively impact the student’s clinical evaluation and grade.

Immunization Exemption Guidelines

Students may request an exemption from immunization requirements for the following reasons:

Religious exemption: Students who decline immunizations due to religious beliefs must understand that this may limit clinical placement options and may affect course progression or program completion.

Medical exemption: Students who are medically exempt must provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider indicating the presence of a contraindication, such as a verified allergy or a positive titer confirming immunity due to past disease.

Note: Some clinical sites may not accept exemption documentation, which may affect the student's ability to complete required clinical hours and remain enrolled in the program.

Legal Name Statement
Students enrolled in the Practical Nursing Program at Ogeechee Technical College are required to use their full legal name at all times throughout the program. The name used should match the one printed on the student’s valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, or other approved identification).

Students must use their legal name on all program-related forms and documentation, including but not limited to:

- Clinical and hospital orientation materials
- Background check submissions
- Patient medical records (both written and electronic)
- Any legal or regulatory documents related to the nursing program

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all records maintained by Ogeechee Technical College reflect their current legal name. Any changes to a student’s legal name must be promptly reported and updated through the appropriate college processes. When documenting in any patient medical record, students must sign using their full legal name, followed by the designation: “SN, OTC” (Student Nurse, Ogeechee Technical College).