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Policy No: 2167
Responsible Office: Student Affairs
Last Review Date: 06/15/2026
Next Required Review: 06/15/2028
Approval Date: 06/10/2026
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Policy No: 2167
Responsible Office: Student Affairs
Last Review Date: 06/15/2026
Next Required Review: 06/15/2028
Approval Date: 06/10/2026
Medical Student Psychiatric Services Scope of Practice
1. Purpose
The purpose of this scope of practice is to define the clinical service parameters, operational boundaries, and eligibility criteria for individuals seeking psychiatric care from the Whiddon College of Medicine (Whiddon COM) Psychiatrist. This document provides clear guidelines on which currently registered Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree-seeking students, community clients, and students on an approved leave of absence qualify for ongoing clinical services, acute crisis intervention, or transitional support.
2. Applicability
This scope of practice applies to all currently registered, full or part-time Whiddon COM M.D. and Ph.D. degree-seeking students. As needed, all Whiddon COM students—regardless of active enrollment status—may receive acute crisis intervention, clinical consultation, and/or external referral services. Students who have been formally admitted to the Whiddon COM but have not yet officially matriculated are not eligible for non-emergent psychiatric services until the first week of classes of their entering semester.
3. Definitions
- Crisis Intervention: Short-term, immediate stabilization efforts provided to an individual experiencing an acute mental health emergency.
- Extended leave of absence: A formal, institutionally approved personal, academic, or medical leave from the curriculum that has been granted for a duration of 12 weeks, one academic year, or one calendar year.
- Matriculated Student: A student who has officially registered, paid tuition/fees, and commenced classes within an approved Whiddon COM degree program.
4. Policy Guidelines
This section outlines the financial and operational parameters under which an eligible student may seek psychiatric services from the Whiddon COM Psychiatrist.
4.1 Billing and Payment of Services
4.1.1 Insurance Mandate: Whiddon COM students are required to maintain active health insurance throughout their entire matriculation.
4.1.2 Billing Workflow: At the time of service, the student’s private or university health insurance will be directly billed by the provider.
4.1.3 Copay Subsidy: To minimize barriers to care, any resulting copay fee incurred from seeing the Whiddon COM Psychiatrist will be fully covered and absorbed by the Whiddon COM.
4.1.4 Coverage Procurement: Should a student need to purchase health insurance to meet this mandate, they may browse commercial coverage plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace or explore the options provided via the University’s Student Health Insurance plan.
4.2 Care Extensions for Students on a Leave of Absence
4.2.1 Transitional Semester Care: Students who have been granted an extended leave of absence and are currently receiving active clinical services from the Whiddon COM Psychiatrist may continue to receive these services for the remainder of the academic semester in which the leave was officially granted.
4.2.2 Financial Limitations on Leave: Students granted a leave of absence are strictly ineligible for the Whiddon COM copay subsidy for any psychiatric services rendered in an semesters while on leave that are subsequent to the granting semester.
4.2.3 Care Transition: During the transitional semester, the Whiddon COM Psychiatrist will work diligently with the student to establish a referral network for external community psychiatric care to ensure continuity of treatment during their extended absence.
5. Procedures
5.1 Appointment Coordination: To schedule an appointment with the Whiddon COM Psychiatrist, contact the USA Student Health Center (251-460-7151) and identify yourself as a Whiddon COM student seeking psychiatric services. The clinic receptionist will verify eligibility and schedule you for the next available dedicated student appointment block.
5.2 Provider Availability and Hours: The Whiddon COM Psychiatrist maintains dedicated clinical hours for student care at the USA Student Health Center. Clinical sessions are structured as follows:
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- Student visits are scheduled for normal clinic operating hours.
- After-Hours Emergencies: For psychiatric emergencies occurring outside of standard clinic hours, weekends, or holidays, students must call the USA Counseling and Wellness Center Crisis Line, dial 988, or report to the nearest hospital emergency department.
6. Enforcement
Mental health care is strictly confidential; however, administrative compliance, alignment with scheduling policies, and appropriate utilization of institutional financial resources are expected parameters of student professional conduct. Students found to be in explicit misuse or fraudulent abuse of the Whiddon COM’s Psychiatric Services Scope of Practice (including, but not limited to, falsification of insurance information, repeated unexcused no-shows, or administrative non-compliance) may become ineligible for ongoing services and referred to a community provider.
7. Related Documents
The policies and operating procedures, as listed below, may be related to the attendance guidelines.
7.1 Professionalism Policy
7.2 Physicianship Early Concern Policy
7.3 University of South Alabama Student Health Insurance Terms and Conditions
7.4 Whiddon COM Student Leave of Absence Policy