BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND DRUG SCREENING

In order to complete the MD educational program, students are expected to train at numerous clinical affiliate sites. Drug screens and updated background investigations may be required by certain clinical affiliates in order to train at that site. Further, drug screening policies at each affiliate may require random drug testing or drug testing in the event of suspicion of drug use. Affiliate sites may prohibit individuals with adverse findings from training in their facilities. Students enrolled in MCOM must comply with the drug screening requirements of the clinical affiliate sites or students will be ineligible to participate in clinical experiences required by the MCOM educational program. The decision regarding student ability to observe or train at a site will be made by the respective site. Failure to comply with drug screening requirements may prevent the student from completing their educational program.

A Note Regarding Marijuana, THC, and CBD

Regardless of ever evolving state laws regarding medical and recreational use of marijuana, medical students need to be aware that it still against federal law to possess or use even small amounts of marijuana. In addition, medical students should be cognizant of how health care facilities will be handling positive THC drug screening results. For medical students training or shadowing in health care settings, most of these facilities will require drug screening, including THC, as a prerequisite for participation in a course, clerkship or clinical elective. Medical students are required to complete clinical experiences across many institutions/affiliates in order to graduate, and positive THC test results may prohibit students from completing these experiences due to health care facility policies. Thus, medical students may face negative consequences for a positive THC drug screening result, including the inability to complete the requirements for the MD degree. Finally, while CBD, or cannabidiol, should not produce a positive THC drug screening result, it can be difficult for consumers of these widely available over the counter products to be certain about the purity of what they are consuming, particularly as it relates to the content of THC. Purchasing CBD is federally legal as long as it does not contain more than 0.3 percent THC. The information regarding marijuana, THC and CBD provided here is not, and is not intended to constitute, legal or clinical advice. You should not act or refrain from acting solely on the basis of this information without first seeking legal or clinical advice that is applicable and appropriate to your particular situation.

The student is responsible for obtaining a drug screen and for authorizing release of the results directly to the requestor at the affiliate site. The MCOM Office of Student Affairs has made arrangements for students to obtain background checks and/or drug screening through Certiphi Screening. Instructions for obtaining such testing are as follows:

STEP 1: What to do if students need a Background Investigation

Below are step-by-step instructions for accessing Application Station:  Student Edition to authorize and pay for a background investigation.

1. Click the following link or paste it into a browser: https://applicationstation.certiphi.com/
2. Click the "SIGN UP NOW" button to create an account.
3. Enter the Code: USFLVHNSTUDENTACT153 in the Application Station Code field.
4. Follow the instructions on the Application Station web site.

Note – please store the username and password created for Application Station in a secure location. This information is needed to enter Application Station in the future which includes obtaining a copy of a background investigation report.

If students encounter issues with the Application Station: Student Edition or have questions regarding the site, please contact Certiphi Screening’s Help Desk at 888-276-1370, ext. 2006.

Background Investigations are completed, on average, within 3 to 5 business days. Once completed, students can access Application Station to view the report. To access the site, use the same username and password created at the time of submission for a background check. Application Station includes instructions for disputing information included in the background check should students feel anything is incorrect.

The background investigation consists of the search components listed below.  All records are searched by primary name and all AKAs, a student’s primary address, and all addresses lived within the past three years.

• Social Security Number Validation and Verification
• Florida Statewide Criminal Search
• County Criminal Records Search
• National Criminal Database Search
• National Sexual Offender Registry Search
• SanctionsBase Search
• OIG/EPLS Search

The cost of the Background Investigation is $56.25. Certiphi Screening accepts credit cards and PayPal. Payment is collected within Application Station: Student Edition.

STEP 2: What to do if students need a Drug Screen

Below are step-by-step instructions for accessing Application Station: Student Edition to authorize and pay for a drug screen, as well as locate a specimen collection site. Drug screen collection facilities are listed on the final page of Application Station: Student Edition.

1. Click the link below or paste it into a browser: https://applicationstation.certiphi.com/
2. Click the "SIGN UP NOW" button to create an account.
3. Enter the Code: USFMCOMDRUGSCREEN in the Application Station Code field for a 10-panel drug screen.
4. Follow the instructions on the Application Station web site.

Note – please store the username and password created for Application Station in a secure location. This information is needed to enter Application Station in the future which includes obtaining a copy of the drug screen report.

If students encounter issues with the Application Station: Student Edition or have questions regarding the site, please contact Certiphi Screening’s Help Desk at 888-260-1370, ext. 2006 or itsupport@certiphi.com.

If none of the collection sites listed are convenient (within 30 minute drive), please contact Certiphi Screening’s Occupational Health Screening Department (i.e., TriTrack and Scheduling Hotline) for assistance with locating an alternate location; phone number 800-803-7859.

If the initial drug screen is reported as non-negative/positive, students will receive a call from Certiphi Screening’s Medical Review Officer (MRO). The MRO will obtain medical proof as to why the student tested positive. If students are taking any form of prescription medicine, it is wise to proactively obtain proof from a physician to be provided to the MRO when contacted. This will speed up the process of reporting drug test results.

Drug screens conducted for 10-panel tests include:

Amphetamines
Cocaine Metabolites
Marijuana Metabolites
Opiates
Phencyclidine
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
Oxycodone
MDMA/Ecstasy

Drug screens conducted for Moffitt include:

Amphetamines
Cocaine Metabolites
Marijuana Metabolites
Opiates
Phencyclidine
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
Oxycodone
Methamphetamines
Ecstasy

Students will receive an email from Certiphi Screening, StudentScreening@certiphi.com, once drug test results are available.  Follow the link in the email to access Application Station: Student Edition to view the report.

The cost of the 10-panel Drug Screen is $29.00. The cost of the Moffitt drug screen is $72.00. Certiphi Screening accepts credit cards and PayPal. Payment is collected within Application Station: Student Edition.

To ensure an appropriate specimen provision and avoid re-testing for dilute specimens, Certiphi makes the following recommendations:

• Report for testing earlier in the morning
• Avoid coffee prior to testing
• Minimize water intake prior to testing, as dilute specimens often need to be repeated

If a confirmed non-negative drug screen (as confirmed by the Medical Review Officer of the testing entity in conformity with the policies of the testing entity) is reported to the clinical site, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will be informed of the test result, as the result may prohibit training at the site. The Associate Dean is responsible for facilitating an evaluation of the student, implementation of recommendations and monitoring progress. Any results released to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs are confidential and subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Adverse or positive findings may constitute a potential violation of due process rights under the Student Code of Conduct and may subject the student to expulsion, dismissal, suspension, probation or other disciplinary sanctions.

All students with a confirmed non-negative drug screen will be referred to the HELPS program for consultation and screening. HELPS will determine any further evaluation and treatment. The student may be referred to the Florida Professional Resources Network (PRN). Successful entry into and treatment via this program will result in no additional action against the student. Should a student be dismissed by PRN for non-compliance, this information will be provided to the APRC for further consideration and may result in dismissal from the MD program. The Vice Dean for Educational Affairs will review all referred students with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or designee to identify appropriate course of action to serve the best interest of the student while protecting the integrity of MCOM.