Requirements And Policies

General Requirements and Program Policies

Health and Medical Requirements

In accordance with Northwestern Memorial Hospital policy, all accepted candidates must undergo a criminal background check and 10-panel drug screen. These requirements help enhance patient health and safety, facilitate student access to affiliated clinical facilities and ensure professional certification eligibility.

In addition to successfully passing a mandatory background check and drug screen, accepted students must be at least 18 years of age and provide evidence of the following health and medical information:

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Verified immunization record for flu, MMR, Varicella and Tdap
  • Two-step TB screen
  • Documentation from a physician of an injury or disability requiring accommodations

Each year, the seasonal flu vaccine is required for all students. It will be provided at no cost during flu season.

All health-related information, maintained by the Office of Occupational Health, is strictly confidential and is needed in case of illness or injury while you are at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Drug Screen Results

For applicants who test negative, if other parts of the post-offer assessment are acceptable, the student may enroll and start the program.

Applicants whose test results are positive will be advised by the medical review officer or designee. The medical review officer will also determine if the applicant has given a satisfactory explanation for the positive result. If not, the applicant’s acceptance offer will be rescinded and the program will deny entry.

Criminal Background Check

All accepted students must sign a release form authorizing Northwestern Memorial Hospital to request and conduct a criminal background check as permitted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. After a candidate accepts the offer to attend the program, the criminal background check will be conducted as part of the onboarding process. Northwestern Medicine reserves the right to rescind an offer of acceptance based on adverse information discovered during the criminal background check with final decisions adjudicated in partnership with Human Resources.

Pregnancy Policy

You are not required to disclose that you are pregnant. If you do disclose your pregnancy, the program director will coordinate a safe working environment.

Options for you to continue participating in the program may include changes to the rotation schedule, enrollment in the didactic portion only until after you give birth. Each pregnancy disclosure will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, any declared pregnant student may revoke their declaration at any time (undeclare).