Health Services

During the Fall and Spring Semesters, Student Health Services is staffed, M-F, by a Registered Nurse who will see students on a walk in basis, no appointment is necessary. A Physician's Assistant from Medical Associates will see students, by appointment, during posted hours on M-W-F.

Students are required to submit a current physical exam and an updated immunization record prior to the start of their first class at PSC. Students who fail to submit the completed health records will not be seen by Health Services. Likewise, immunization paperwork must be completed to meet college and state requirements. Incomplete records, can lead to dismissal from Paul Smiths College, per state mandate. Please note that the Culinary and Rate programs do require an additional immunization - Hep A.

Physical exams and immunization records may be mailed to Student Health Services or faxed to (518) 327-6309. Students should not wait to receive a physical exam at the Student Health Services, as they will not be provided there. Students will be charged for physical examinations performed in town at Medical Associates. Copies should be kept of Health Records prior to submission to Health Services. There will be a fee to obtain copies after graduation or dismissal from the college.

Students are encouraged to visit Student Health Services if they are ill, injured, or would like to introduce themselves or discuss concerns. No appointment is necessary unless the student would like to be seen by a representative from Medical Associates, other wise it is first come, first serve. The cost of routine care provided there is covered in the Comprehensive Fee. Individual student accounts are charged for any medications, injections, in-house lab work, and certain miscellaneous supplies that may be dispensed. Lab work done thru Adirondack Medical Center or any off campus/out of Association medical care provider is billed directly by the provider agency.

All student appointments at Medical Associates must be made through Student Health Services. Students who choose to make their own appointments will be treated by Medical Associates as private patients and their visit will not be covered under the Comprehensive Fee. Appointments at Medical Associates should be honored. If the student is unable to keep the appointment, notification of such should be given to Student Health Services to cancel or reschedule so that other patients may be seen.

Medication and Medication Pick-up

As a convenience, prescribed medications are delivered to Student Health Services, from Post Office Pharmacy, in Saranac Lake, and are ready for student pick-up between 3-3:30 M-F. If the student is unable to pick-up the medication during that time, it will be placed in their mail box for them to obtain when they are able to. Any cost for the medication not covered by insurance, is billed to the student's account, so there is no out of pocket cost to the student. Medication will not be returned to the pharmacy. Student Health Services is not responsible for a student who opts not to pick their script up. The charge to their account will remain regardless.

A reminder to all: students are responsible for keeping controlled medications in a secure place.

Syringes Disposal and Storage

Approved sharps containers must be used by all students who take injectable medications. These containers can be picked-up at Student Health Services and returned there for proper medical waste disposal. New containers will be exchanged for the used containers. Please, do not overfill these containers.

A reminder: sharps containers should be stored safely away from others in a secure location.

Medical Emergencies/ Transportation

For all emergencies on campus, call x. 6300 for Safety. They will be the student's liaison to the appropriate intervention. They will assess the situation and either call the nurse to the site, transport the student to Student Health Services, or call for an ambulance.

Ambulance service to PSC is provided by the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department. Transports by the ambulance are to the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

If students feel they cannot safely get to the nurses office during clinic hours, they may call 6300 for Safety and transport will be provided to Student Health Services. Campus Safety will not transport students off campus.

If any significant injury is sustained while on campus, students are expected to report to Student Health Services, as soon as possible, to be evaluated and to complete an incident report. That includes students who are injured during a sporting event or practice.

Students are expected to arrange for their own transportation for off campus appointments, such as: dental, doctor, mental health, physical therapy, and optometrist. PSC does provide a shuttle service to Saranac Lake. It can be found at the entrance to the JW Student Center. The shuttle schedule varies and can be confirmed through the Student Affairs office.

Class Excuses

Student Health Services does not provide excuses for absences. If a student finds it necessary to visit Health Services, upon request, a slip will be provided to the student that indicates the date and time they have were in for an appointment or that they have an appointment scheduled. If a class must be missed, it is up to the student to address that with the instructor, in advance if possible. If the absence is related to a medical emergency, the Student Health Services will assist with instructor notification.

Health Insurance

All full-time students are required to have health insurance coverage. PSC sponsored health insurance will be automatically billed to all student accounts. If a student has private coverage and elects to waive the college health insurance, they must complete the on-line waiver.

PSC health insurance recipients will be able to pick up a hard copy of their card in Student Health Services.

Students who are part time or on externship, and are 19 years or older, may no longer be eligible for insurance coverage under a parent's insurance, and should therefore consider securing the college insurance.

Students who waive the college insurance and have their own private insurance are responsible for knowing what their policy covers, initiating their own claims, and following the requirements of their HMO or insurance carrier. They must also provide Student Health Services with a copy, front and back, of their insurance card. If the student has pharmacy coverage, he or she must also present the pharmacy card to Student Health Services when requesting a prescribed medication and should retain all pharmacy receipts to submit to his/her insurance company.

Health Risks of Alcohol and Illegal Drugs

All drugs are chemical substances that affect both psychological and physical functioning. Some health risks that may result from the use of illegal drugs include: addiction, increased susceptibility to illness, accidents, violent behavior, sexual assault, date rape, impaired cognitive functioning, such as impaired memory or distortion of reality, heart disease, liver disease, and death. Most drugs are associated with risks specific to that drug, and additional information about the effects of individual drugs may be obtained from the Student Development Center, Office of Student Affaires or the Student Health Services.