DISMISSAL AND APPEALS POLICY
It is the policy of the DMC-University Laboratories Cytotechnology Program to be fair and consistent in the treatment of all students, while always striving to maintain awareness of the overriding responsibility to the patient and safe practices. The program faculty makes every attempt to ensure that students and/or applicants are made aware of the policies and procedures of the program as well as the disciplinary actions that may result as a failure to adhere to them.
Disciplinary actions include placement of a student on probationary status and dismissal.
Guidelines for Disciplinary Actions
- Action will be taken as soon as possible following a violation.
- An attempt will be made to ascertain the relevant facts from all involved individuals prior to any action being taken.
- A private interview will be conducted by the Program Director and if affiliated with a university, a university official, with the student to determine if the student has committed the violation and if so, what disciplinary action is warranted. The discussion will be documented. During the interview, the student will be informed of the facts and be provided with an opportunity to add additional information or dispute the facts presented to him/her. If new facts or information are disclosed, further investigation will be conducted prior to any action being taken.
- Any decision regarding disciplinary action will be reached only after discussion by the administrative program faculty and, in the cases of students from affiliated universities, the university official. Disciplinary action to dismiss a student will be taken only when mutually agreed upon by the Program Director and Medical Director. If the violation warrants immediate removal, any of the program administrative faculty may suspend the student until an official decision is reached.
- Students will be informed in writing via the appropriate form of any disciplinary decisions and will have the right to appeal a disciplinary decision if he/she feels it is unwarranted as per the procedure specified in the Appeals / Grievance Policy.
Probationary Status
Reasons for Probationary Status
Students may be placed on probationary status for the following reasons:
- Failure to meet established performance standards
- Continued failure to notify Program Director of absence from work in a timely manner
- Failure to abide by laboratory safety standards
- Excessive unexcused absenteeism and/or tardiness
- Discourteous, unethical or insubordinate conduct to patients, visitors, program faculty, instructors, classmates, laboratory personnel
- Any act that may place a patient, co-worker or visitor in danger
- Failure to abide by any of the established policies and procedures not specifically mentioned in this list (except those listed as warranting immediate dismissal)
Procedure for Implementing Probationary Status
The following procedure will be followed in the event that probationary status must be imposed:
- A Notice of Probationary Status form will be initiated and the student will first be notified of the reason for probationary status.
- A performance improvement plan will be developed with specific expectations, goals/objectives, methods and timeframe indicated on the form and discussed with the student.
- The student will be reevaluated upon completion of the plan of action.
- Failure to remove himself/herself from probationary status may result in dismissal from the program.
Dismissal
Reasons for Dismissal
The program reserves the right to impose immediate dismissal may result if his/her inappropriate personal conduct and/or unsatisfactory academic / clinical performance. Students may be immediately dismissed if:
- Breach of intellectual honesty (i.e., cheating) or other dishonest or unethical behaviors
- Continued failure to meet academic and/or clinical performance standards
- Breach of confidentiality
- Reporting for school in a state of intoxication
- Theft on hospital property
- Falsifying any area of responsibility
- Disorderly or illegal conduct, including drinking or gambling on hospital grounds, any form of harassment
- Misuse or abuse of hospital property
- Failure to successfully complete plan of action for removal of probationary status
Procedure for Dismissal
See above Guidelines for Disciplinary Actions.
If a student is dismissed from the program for disciplinary reasons, he/she will not be considered for readmission to the program.
Grievances /Appeals
DMC-University Laboratories Cytotechnology Program abides by fair practices for all students as well as faculty. The program provides a formal process by which an individual can voice dissatisfaction in the event a student or faculty member feels he/she has been treated unfairly or an unfair disciplinary decision has been rendered with regard to academic or non-academic issues. He/she has the right and is provided the opportunity to initiate the established process of resolution.
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