The University of Western Ontario does not require a Criminal Records Check or other screening procedure (e.g., Vulnerable Sector Screen {VSS}) as a condition of admission into its programs in the Faculty of Health Sciences. However, prospective students should be aware that a criminal records check or VSS may be required by other facilities used for clinical or co-op placements or experiences related to an academic course assignment. It is the student's responsibility to have the necessary procedure completed. In some programs students will not be permitted access to such courses without having completed this requirement.

Students will share VSS or other record check information directly with the facility or agency for which they have been assigned a placement and may, if they wish, disclose results to their School or Program. Students unable to complete a clinical requirement of their program because they are unable to meet a facility's requirement for such a screening, or because a facility refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure, will not be eligible for progression or graduation. Those students enrolled in an internship placement, clinical practice placement or co-op as a course requirement may not be able to pass the course if they have not met an agency's requirement or if the agency refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure. Students should check with their School or Program for details as to policy on course access and to the time frame within which a screening must be completed.

SR.05-164