Student expression of concerns and suggestions for change are welcomed. If a student has an issue or concern, the student should ordinarily attempt to resolve the matter by making an informal complaint to the individual involved. If contacting the person involved does not resolve the problem to the complainant’s satisfaction, or if the student does not feel comfortable addressing their concern to the individual involved, the student may utilize the Concern/Issue Reporting Form (available under the "Student Grievance Forms" menu on the right ). Forms may be submitted to the complaints@kpsahs.edu email address. All concerns will be investigated by the appropriate KPSAHS staff and/or faculty member under the oversight of the Associate Regional Administrator.
Concern/Issue Reporting Form
Students, clinical instructors, or anyone involved with KPSAHS may use the “Concern/Issue Reporting Form” to report concerns to KPSAHS. All concerns will be investigated by the appropriate individual designated by the Associate Regional Administrator. All Concern/Issue Reporting Forms will be addressed and maintained at the school.
It is the policy of KPSAHS to work with students in finding fair and equitable solutions to problems, including any student question, misunderstanding, grievance, or appeal. Any issue or concern involving a student at KPSAHS or in a clinical facility will ordinarily be addressed using the process below:
KPSAHS Campus
The student should first discuss their problem or question with their course instructor. Usually the course instructor will have direct knowledge about the subject and is best qualified to resolve the situation.
If the student and the course instructor are unable to find an immediate solution or answer, the student may then bring the matter to the attention of the program director. The student should feel free to discuss the matter fully.
If the student and the program director are unable to find an immediate solution or answer, the student may then file a formal appeal.
At any point in this process, the student is not satisfied with this process they can refer to the Disciplinary Action Process Section.
Clinic Affiliate
The student should first discuss his/her problem or question to their clinical instructor. Usually the clinical instructor will have direct knowledge about the subject and is best qualified to resolve the situation.
If the student and clinical instructor are unable to find an immediate solution or answer, the student may then bring the matter to the attention of the clinical coordinator. The student should feel free to discuss the matter fully.
If the student and clinical coordinator are unable to find an immediate solution or answer, the student should then discuss the situation with the appropriate program director, who will make the final determination in the situation.
If the student is dissatisfied with the process at any point, they can utilize the the Disciplinary Action Process.
violations of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist’s Ethical Standards of the Practice of Radiography, The Society of Nuclear Medicine Code of Ethics, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Code of Ethics
any violation of civil laws or regulations
non-compliance with clinical affiliate policies and procedures
non-compliance with Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Science policies and procedures
unprofessional conduct, i.e., harassment of any type, violence in the workplace
moral improprieties demonstrated during patient care activities
failure to preserve patient rights
dereliction of duty resulting in patient injury
any violation of civil law or Kaiser Permanente policies (i.e., HIPAA, breach of confidentiality)
cheating or plagiarizing
failure to adhere to policies stated in the Academic Catalog
violation of civil law, code of ethics, and/or Kaiser Permanente, Medical Center, or KPSAHS policies specifically requiring mandatory dismissal
repeated incidents of infractions after a written letter of warning is issued
gross inconsistent behavior with the objectives of the Program and the expectations of an allied health care professional
cheating or plagiarizing
being under the influence of intoxicating drugs or liquor in the classroom or clinical site
failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0
dishonesty and practices of unethical behavior
competency examinations any time outside regular assigned clinical hours
being refused acceptance to any clinical affiliate-education site as a transfer student
breach of confidentiality
insubordination, failure to adhere to assigned schedules, failure to meet professional conduct expectations, and malpractice
Submit the form and any accompanying documentation to the program director. If the program director participated in the disciplinary decision that gave rise to the student’s appeal, then the student should submit the form and any accompanying documentation to the dean of academic affairs.
Barring exceptional circumstances, the program director or dean of academic affairs will make a determination on the issue and respond to the student in writing within three (3) business days. A request for appeal will be granted if the program director or dean of academic affairs determines that it is more likely than not that a procedural or substantive error occurred in the disciplinary decision that gave rise to the appeal. In addition to reviewing the student’s file, the materials accompanying the appeal and any other relevant documentation, the program director (or dean of academic affairs, if applicable) reserves the right to interview the student, any KPSAHS faculty or staff member, or any other involved individual in order to gather relevant information.
If the student, after receiving the response from the program director (or dean of academic affairs, if applicable), does not agree with the decision, s/he may pursue a second, final appeal of this decision to the KPSAHS administration. This final appeal must be filed no later than three (3) business days of receipt of the response from the program director or dean of academic affairs. To initiate this final appeal, the student must complete an additional Disciplinary Process Appeal Form and submit the form, along with any relevant documentation, to the KPSAHS administration. .
Barring exceptional circumstances, KPSAHS administration will make a determination and respond to the student in writing within five (5) business days. A request for appeal will be granted if KPSAHS administration determines that it is more likely than not that a procedural or substantive error occurred in the disciplinary decision that gave rise to the appeal or in the first level of appeal.
In addition to reviewing the student’s file, the materials relevant to the first appeal, the materials accompanying the request for the second appeal and any other relevant documentation, KPSAHS administration reserves the right to interview the student, any KPSAHS faculty or staff member, or any other involved individual in order to gather relevant information.
The decision of KPSAHS administration is final and binding.
Questions about student grievances, complaints, concerns, or questions about the student disciplinary process may be directed to: the director of accreditation and compliance.
Filing a Complaint with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s Internet Web site (www.bppe.ca.gov).
Filing a Complaint with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Students have the right to submit allegations against a JRCERT-accredited program if there is reason to believe that the program has acted contrary to JRCERT accreditation standards or that conditions at the program appear to jeopardize the quality of instruction or the general welfare of its students.
Contact of the JRCERT should not be a part in the formal institutional/program grievance procedure. The individual must first attempt to resolve the complaint directly with institution/program officials by following the grievance procedures provided by the institution/program. If the individual is unable to resolve the complaint with institution/program officials or believes that the concerns have not been properly addressed, only then may he or she submit allegations of non-compliance directly to the JRCERT.
Formal Disciplinary Action Process
The KPSAHS corrective Disciplinary Action Process is intended as a problem-solving approach to address issues to correct individual performance and/or behavioral conduct both in the academic and clinical environments. The Disciplinary Action Process includes advising, verbal warning, written letter of warning, suspension, and dismissal. Depending on the severity of the situation or violation, and at the discretion of the dean of academic affairs, the associate regional school administrator, or the administration of KPSAHS, the decision may be made to skip levels of disciplinary action, including moving directly to immediate dismissal from the program for the first infraction.
Advising
Advising is the first step to make the student aware he/she is not in compliance with school policies and/or procedures. It consists of a documented discussion with school staff and should make the student aware of school policies and expectations moving forward.
Verbal Warning
A Verbal Warning occurs when a student violates or continues to violate a policy or procedure. A student who receives a Verbal Warning will meet with the KPSAHS faculty or staff member giving the warning to discuss the issue, clarify the expectations, and agree upon a corrective action plan to include measurements of achievement and time line.
Written Letter of Warning
A Written Letter of Warning is a serious formal disciplinary warning from the program director, who may consult with the faculty, clinical affiliate representative, and/or KPSAHS Associate Regional School Administrator. A student shall receive no more than one (1) written warning. A student will receive a Written Letter of Warning if she/he has not addressed the issue/problem since the Verbal Warning and continues to fail to demonstrate correction or meet the performance or behavior standards.
The program director will again review the issue/problem with the student and write a corrective action plan, which includes expectations, measurements of achievement, and the time frame in which the student is expected to meet the performance or behavioral standards. The program director and student will discuss and agree to the corrective action plan and sign the agreement plan. If the action plan is not met, further disciplinary action may occur. Depending on the severity of the issue/problem, suspension or dismissal from the program may be warranted.
Suspension
The program director or KPSAHS School Administrators will issue a suspension when warranted. All facts are documented and included in the student’s academic record.
School administrators may suspend a student while investigating alleged inappropriate conduct. Inappropriate conduct includes, but is not limited to:
Dismissal
Dismissal from the program is final, subject to the limited appeal process below Dismissed students will not be readmitted. The program director consults with the faculty, Kaiser Permanente Legal, and KPSAHS administrators, to determine when a student dismissal is warranted.
Grounds for dismissal include but are not limited to the following actions:
Appeals
An appeal process has been established to hear grievances of students who disagree with a decision by an administrator, educator or clinical coordinator or believe that the decision violates their rights as students at KPSAHS.
The appeal processes, including relevant timelines, are described below.
Informal Appeal Process
Students are encouraged to seek a resolution by talking directly with the educator/clinical coordinator involved. Should the direct and informal dialogue yield unsatisfactory results, the student will have three (3) business days to initiate the formal appeal process.
Formal Appeal Process
If the student is dissatisfied with the result of the informal appeal process or chooses not to engage in the informal appeal process, the student may initiate the formal appeal process. If a student chooses to pursue a formal appeal, the student must provide written notice to KPSAHS by completing a “Request for Disciplinary Process Appeal Form” form (published on www.kpsahs.edu) and following the process outlined below: