Dear New USC Student,
I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulate you on your admission to the University of Southern California. Whether you are new to USC or attended as an undergraduate, I would like to introduce you to USC Student Health. With two locations, Engemann Student Health Center located on the University Park Campus and Eric Cohen Student Health Center located on the Health Sciences Campus, we are your main source of health care, offering a full range of medical services in primary and specialty care, counseling services, health promotion and disease prevention.
As a pre-professional student, you are required to complete all health clearance requirements. Please review this packet carefully to ensure that you meet all stated requirements. For additional information, please visit https://studenthealth.usc.edu/health-clearance/. Student Health is available to answer your questions 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and may be reached by telephone at 213-740-9355 or via email at studenthealth@usc.edu. Please include your USC ID # and Academic Program in the subject of your email.
Before your first day of class, you can visit either student health center for immunizations, TB testing, and lab work only. You will be charged a $30 visit fee plus any charges associated with the immunizations, TB or lab work received. Please visit https://studenthealth.usc.edu/fees-deadlines/ for price information. Once your classes begin, you will have access to all the medical, mental health, and relationship and violence prevention services at both student health centers. More information about our services can be found on our website https://studenthealth.usc.edu
Our commitment to you is to provide excellent care to individuals, promote research-based public health policy and interventions in our community, and supporting our students to success in every way possible.
We look forward to taking care of your healthcare needs and working with you to support a healthy campus community.
Fight On!
Kimberly Tilley, MD Medical Director
213-740-9355 (WELL) • studenthealth.usc.edu
Additional Information
Health Degree Programs: New Student Requirement
All forms must be submitted 30 days prior to their program start date.
Questions and Answers
Q: If I am unable to meet the deadline listed above, can I turn in my paperwork later? Can I submit the documents I have now towards completing all my requirements prior to the deadline?
A: Yes. However, if you submit your paperwork after the deadline, you may not be cleared in time for your program to assign you to rotate at your clinical facilities. Please submit your paperwork as soon as possible.
Q: What is a titer?
A: A titer is a lab test that may be used to prove immunity to a disease. Titers can be accepted in lieu of vaccine documentation for all required vaccines except for Hepatitis B. TDAP cannot be replaced by titers.
Q: I had my MMR, and Hep B when I was a child; do I need to repeat the vaccines before testing my titer(s)?
A: No. You can have your antibody titers tested if it has been a minimum of 30 days from the date of your last dose.
Q: What if one or more of my titers come back negative for immunity?
A: Please arrange for an additional dose (booster) of vaccine and repeat the titer again after 1-2 months. For Hepatitis B, Heplislav is the preferred Hepatitis B booster (if available).
Q: What are the test numbers for the titers?
A: The titer test numbers for 2 major laboratory testing companies are listed below
• Measles IgG (Quest #964, LabCorp #096560)
• Mumps IgG (Quest #8624, LabCorp #096552)
• Rubella IgG (Quest #802, LabCorp #006197)
• Varicella IgG (Quest #4439, LabCorp #096206)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Quantitative Only (Quest #8475, LabCorp #006530)
Q: I have questions on which TB test(s) I should receive?
A: A baseline TB risk assessment will need to be completed to determine which test is suitable for your situation. Student Health may be contacted by email at studenthealth@usc.edu or by telephone at 213740-9355.
Q: Is the flu vaccine required?
A: Yes. The flu vaccine is a seasonal, annual requirement for all health degree program students. You are required to receive the vaccine once it becomes available for the upcoming season. The deadline for vaccination is November 1.
213-740-9355 (WELL) • studenthealth.usc.edu
Health Degree Programs: New Student Requirements
Health Clearance Information
All students in health degree programs are required to have the following immunizations:
□ 1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): two lifetime doses administered 28 days apart; FOLLOWED BY lab results proving immunity
□ 2. VZV (Varicella, or “Chicken Pox”): two lifetime doses administered 28 days apart: OR lab results proving immunity
□ 3. Hepatitis B: three lifetime doses of vaccine (or for HEPLISAV-B vaccines, 2 doses are sufficient); FOLLOWED BY lab results proving immunity, drawn at 1-2 months after the last dose
□ 4. TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) one current (within the last 10 years) dose TDAP. If your TDAP is more than 10 years old, you must receive a booster (TD/TDAP). No follow-up lab draw is required for this immunization, vaccination documentation alone is sufficient.
COVID-19 Vaccination (Up to date with Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health requirements for Healthcare Personnel) If you have a COVID-19 vaccination, please upload your documentation. This may be required by facilities for clinical placements.
Acceptable Documentation: Please submit vaccination records/lab results for all the requirements listed above as proof of compliance. Lab results must show patient name, test date, test name, exact values, and reference ranges to be accepted. (See inset box for example.)
UPLOADING RECORDS: Scan or take clear photos (no screenshots) of each vaccination record or lab report and upload them to the secure Student Health Record portal under Medical Clearances at usc.edu/myshr ( available once you have obtained a USC NetID through netid.usc.edu). Alternatively, records may be emailed to studenthealth@usc.edu. However, please note that email is not a secure method for transmitting private health information.
TB Screening: All students in health degree programs must have an up-to-date tuberculosis. The following tests are accepted:
□ T-Spot (IGRA) or QuantiFERON Gold lab results within 6 months of fall academic start date. (Temporary or permanent residence of ≥1 month in a country with a high TB rate or history of receiving a BCG vaccine must complete blood testing, PPD skin tests are not accepted)
□ TB Skin testing: Baseline 2-Step (two tests test 1 within 11 months / test 2 within 3 months prior to your fall academic start date.) Tests must be a minimum of 7 days apart.
NOTE: If you have had past treatment for active or latent tuberculosis, you must submit your medical records from that period. PPD Test 1 Placed PPD Test 1 Read Induration/Result
Last Name: First Name: DOB: USC Student ID:
Academic Program: Anticipated Graduation Year:
Cell Phone: USC Email:
PHYSICAL EXAM:
VITALS: B/P: Height Weight Pulse Rep. Temp.
Please check box if patient is within normal limits. If patient is not within normal limits, please include a detailed description of any abnormal findings.
GENERAL HEENT
CHEST/LUNGS
CARDIOVASCULAR
ABDOMEN
MUSCULOSKELETAL
SKIN
NEUROLOGIC MENTAL
Any restrictions on physical activity and/or patient care activities (including but not limited to any communicable diseases)?
Date Examined
Yes No
Any recommendations for medical care?
Address
Yes No
(Explain any restrictions and recommendations)
Provider Name
Provider Signature
