35 Temporary Leave of Absence Policy
Temporary Leave of Absence Policy
Faculty understand that unplanned and unavoidable medical/personal issues sometimes arise which may prohibit a student’s ability to continue with clinical experience courses safely and effectively. If a student is unable to participate in their clinical education for an extended period, they have exhausted all personal days, and the absence would cause a course grade reduction, a Temporary Leave of Absence may be granted if certain criteria are met.
Conditions for granting a Temporary Leave of Absence: (as stated in the RISP Student Handbook)
- If a student would like to request a Temporary Leave of Absence from the program or clinical course, they must immediately contact the RISP Program Director and the Clinical Coordinator.
- The student must arrange, in writing, a Leave of Absence Continuation Agreement with the program director. This agreement must state the duration of the withdrawal and any conditions the student will be required to meet prior to readmission. The student will be readmitted in accordance with the agreement. If the student does not follow the agreement as written, the student will be reclassified as a student who has permanently withdrawn and will fall under the “Other Withdrawals” identified below. It should be noted that the timing of the resumption of clinical coursework may depend on the availability of clinical space at the expected time of reentry and may not follow the original clinical schedule given to the student.
- The student requesting a leave of absence must provide written documentation from a physician (if applicable) stating they are temporarily unable to actively participate in the clinical component of the program. They must also provide written clearance, without restrictions, from a physician (if applicable) prior to their return to the program.
- If the student’s request for a leave of absence will NOT exceed two consecutive semesters, The student must arrange, in writing, a Clinical Course Continuation Plan with the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Preceptor that states the duration of expected leave, a plan for making up missed clinical time and rotations, and any other conditions the student will be required to meet upon their return. The student will be readmitted in accordance with the agreement.
- If the student’s request for a leave of absence will exceed two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to complete a Clinical Re-entry Period prior to continuing the clinical course sequence. A tentative start date for the clinical re-entry period must be determined at the time of the withdrawal. A clinical spot will be held for the student if an open spot exists. If the student changes the date of re-entry or fails to schedule a re-entry meeting, no guarantee of clinical reentry will be made. Any student entering the Clinical Re-Entry Period, must enroll in the RADI R155 Clinical Re-entry course (1 cr.), which allows t