The Division of Health Sciences (DHS) has established the health and safety documentation requirements based on the following guidelines:
- Massachusetts immunization requirements for health students
- Clinical affiliate requirements
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for health care personnel.
New Health Sciences students must submit all required documentation by the published deadline, which will be either on or before the first day of the first semester of their respective program. The immunizations required for Health Sciences students are broader than those required of General Studies students. Therefore, students who submitted immunization records to the Office of Student Development while enrolled in General Studies courses will still need to submit required documents as Health Sciences students.
We recommend that individuals who are considering a Health Sciences program start gathering immunization records right away.
Click here for the comprehensive list of requirements:
MassBay Community College — Summary of health and immunization requirements →
New and returning Health Sciences students can click here for our the Physical Examination and Immunization Record Form to take to their healthcare provider:
Physical Examination and Immunization Form →
How to Submit Documentation
To monitor student compliance with documentation requirements and readiness to attend clinical assignments, the Division of Health Sciences uses an online document tracking system from a company called CastleBranch.
Upon admission into a Health Sciences program, the student will receive instructions on how to set up an account on Castle Branch, to upload and maintain immunization records, Basic Life Support Provider CPR, and other documentation. Students are expected to create their Castle Branch/”MyCB” account within two weeks of receiving these instructions. The account can be accessed online or through a mobile app. All required documentation must be submitted and approved by Castle Branch for a student to keep their seat in the Health Sciences program. Students must keep their immunization and health screenings up-to-date throughout the program.
For more information about CastleBranch/MyCB visit their website at:
https://mycb.castlebranch.com
Criminal History Checks
Any DHS student whose course-work or clinical placement activity requires direct access to children, elderly, patients, or disabled or other at-risk populations, must submit to a background check. The purpose of the criminal history checks is to ensure public safety and avoid unacceptable risk to vulnerable populations. Students must clear these criminal history checks in order to participate in Health Sciences programs. If there is a finding of criminal convictions or “open cases,” the student will be ineligible to participate in the Health Sciences Program. There are three types of checks: CORI, SORI and Supplemental.
CORI and SORI — The student completes the necessary forms to authorize a search of Massachusetts records for past criminal or sexual offenses known as CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information), and will be asked to show their government-issued photo identification (driver’s license/state ID/U.S. Passport). The CORI and SORI completion process occurs at new student orientations at the beginning of Health Sciences programs, and annually thereafter.
Supplemental/National County Records Search — When Health Sciences students create their online account with CastleBranch/MyCB, they will order their supplemental background check. The three basic coverage components of this Supplemental background check include: Social Security Verification, Residency History, and County Criminal Records.