Radford University, Radford University Carilion, and Roanoke Higher Education Center Clinical Internships, Affiliations, and/or Field Placements for Students

Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are rapidly developing in the US at this time and recent cases have been reported in Virginia including the central Virginia region.  In preparation for the potential impact of these confirmed and developing cases of COVID-19 on our clinical education programs at RU and RUC, the following guidance document has been developed in consultation with our university leadership and professional colleagues.

  • Guidance comes from the following agencies with authority over public health care policy:
    • World Health Organization (WHO)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • Virginia Department of Health
    • Roanoke City Health Department
    • Regional Public Health Departments
  • Check frequently with these sources for current recommendations given rapidly changing and evolving health information.
  • Radford University faculty and our clinical partners follow Public Health guidance and this document will provide guidance for our students who are in clinical internships, affiliations and/or field placements.  

Clinical Internships, Affiliations and Field Placements Guidelines

These guidelines apply to students at any Radford University campus site completing a clinical internship, affiliation and/or field experience at any placement site:

  • Students should not:
  • Attend clinicals internships, affiliations and/or field placements if they have been asked to self-quarantine by public health authorities or the university and their programs
  • Participate in the care of known or suspected COVID-19 patients, clients, or students
  • Student clinical internships, affiliations, and/or field placements will be canceled:
  • At any healthcare site that is treating a patient with COVID-19 where appropriate environmental controls cannot be implemented per CDC guidelines
  • At any healthcare site when crisis standards of care are used to care for COVID-19 patients
  • When healthcare or healthcare-related sites are unable to provide students with appropriate personal protective equipment
  • In the event of staffing shortages at a healthcare site
  • Students will communicate directly with their clinical internship, affiliation and/or field placement instructor before attending any scheduled experiences to check if cancellation is warranted.
  • International clinical placements will be discontinued at this time until further determinations have been made with regards to the health and welfare of our students.
  • Students will immediately communicate to their clinical internship, affiliation, and/or field placement instructor and their school’s clinical internship, affiliation and/or field placement coordinator any health care or safety concerns. 
  • Clinical internship, affiliation and/or field placement sites and/or RU/RUC have the right to  cancel student participation in a clinical experience at any time to protect the safety of students and staff.

Academic Impacts

At this time, we do not know the full impact of the COVID-19 virus on our community or the potential for disruption of clinical placements. We are committed to providing the accommodations necessary to support students in continuing their education and meeting requirements for graduation and licensure.  RU/RHEC/RUC administration in collaboration with program heads will communicate updates to faculty and students as expediently as possible.  Students also should contact their program’s clinical internship, affiliation and/or field placement coordinator for more information.

The impact of COVID-19 can cause feelings of frustration and anxiety.  As we work together to address these challenges, please be aware that there are many resources available to you.  Our campus provides the following resources for students:

  • RU/RUC Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Communications by the University
  • Student Health Center
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Dean of Student’s Office
  • Center for Global Education and Engagement

We understand that you may be anxious about how the COVID-19 virus may impact your health and education. We are committed to supporting safe practices in clinical education for our students and faculty and will continue to communicate during this time of change and uncertainty with the COVID-19 virus.