UW Medicine - Prerequisites for Participation in the Clinical Curriculum

In addition to passing all courses during the first two years of the curriculum and taking USMLE Step 1, below are the additional prerequisites that you need to complete:

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers: As stated in the Student Handbook, current certification in CPR at the level of Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (AHA-approved training) is a prerequisite for matriculation in medical school and for entering the clinical curriculum. Students must provide a copy of their current certification card prior to beginning the first year and the third (required clerkship) year, and this information will be kept in the student's academic file. Students are responsible for keeping their certification current throughout their medical school training and for maintaning this documentation in their own personal files.
Criminal Background Check: As stated in the Student Handbook, the Washington State Child and Adult Abuse Information Act requires that all individuals who have access to children under 16 years of age, developmentally disabled persons, or vulnerable adults disclose background information concerning crimes and offenses against these populations. Therefore, as students within the School of Medicine, students are required to complete a disclosure form, indicating any infractions of the law, and a release for future checks and to allow the office to confirm your status with the clinical units to which you are assigned. The initial request is coordinated through the Admissions Office in the School of Medicine. Once you have received clearance, your certification will be valid for a two-year period. Thus, additional criminal background checks are done while enrolled in the medical school.
HIPAA Compliance and Security Agreement: As stated in the Student Handbook, all students are required to complete the HIPAA training for the University and VA systems. It is possible that additional HIPAA training will be required by other hospitals in which the student rotates around the region. If a student does not complete the required training, he/she will not be permitted to be in a patient care setting. This includes RUOP, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, preceptorships, and all third and fourth year clinical coursework as well as volunteer experiences such as CHAP. In addition, you are required to complete the UW Medicine Privacy, Confidentiality, and Information Security Agreement in order to participate in your school training.
Immunizations: As stated in the Student Handbook, health-care workers are at risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable communicable diseases because of their contact with patients or infective material from patients. Maintenance of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases is therefore an essential part of prevention and infection control. The Health Sciences Immunization (HSI) Program follows recommendations for health care workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA/WISHA occupational health mandates. Medical students must demonstrate compliance with requirements for the following: measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella, Hepatits B, tetanus-diphtheria, varicella (chicken pox), and tuberculosis screening. Medical students are not allowed to begin or continue patient contact unless documenation of compliance with all of these requirements, including the annual PPD skin testing, has been confirmed by Hall Health with the Academic Affairs Office.
Liability/Malpractice Coverage: UWSOM medical students have the University's liability coverage when they are registered in coursework for credit and paying University of Washington tuition.
Universal Precautions: As stated in the Student Handbook, all students enrolled in the University of Washington School of Medicine must complete the School's program on universal precautions. The purpose of this program is to ensure that you have been informed of the appropriate handling of blood, tissues, and body fluids during medical school. Opportunities for training in universal precautions is included in the orientation program, Introduction to Clinical Medicine courses, and the required clerkships. As part of your professional development, you will be responsible for incorporating these into your routine practice while in patient care situations and for being certain that you understand what is available at each hospital as you rotate from one clerkship to another.