DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen M. Bridger, MPH, PhD
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing an agreement with the University of South Alabama and Agreements with accredited educational institutions for public health practical experiences
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement with the University of South Alabama College of Nursing to provide nursing students the opportunity to gain public health practical experience through the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for a period beginning April 20, 2018 through April 19, 2019 with three automatic one year renewals.
This Ordinance further authorizes the Director of Health to enter into agreements with accredited educational institutions to provide practical experience in public health activities for students of various health professions. Accredited educational institutions are those that have been accredited by a federal or state-recognized accrediting agency that has been identified as a reliable authority by the U.S. Department of Education.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Department of Education provides oversight over the postsecondary accreditation system through the review of all federally-recognized accrediting agencies. Accrediting agencies are held responsible for ensuring any accreditation standards are effectively enforced. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that have been determined as reliable authorities pursuant to the quality of education and training provided by institutions of higher education.
As the local health district for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Metro Health is approached by educational institutions to allow the students of these institutions to participate in Metro Health’s activities to gain experience in various areas of education. These areas include, but are not limited to, nursing, phlebotomy, medical physician services, epidemiology and other public health related professions.
On March 10, 1983, City Council authorized the Director of Health to enter into agreements with local educational institutions for the purpose of practical experiences for students through Ordinance No. 56673. Metro Health continues to receive various requests from students who chose to attend a higher educational institution outside of San Antonio but return to continue their practicums and gain real-world educational experiences. These educational experiences are beneficial to both the students and Metro Health. Metro Health is an organization dedicated to providing leadership and promoting public health as a career option for new professionals who have a desire to work together to carry out the mission of public health. Through these educational experiences, Metro Health has collaboratively provided real world experiences to students allowing them to develop skills that cannot be taught in the classroom.
The agreement with the University of South Alabama College of Nursing will provide nursing students the ability to gain working knowledge in the career of nursing and public health. Students will learn to apply their knowledge in areas of clinical specialization to contribute to the health and illness needs of clients in the public health setting. This collaboration provides a mutually beneficial relationship between Metro Health and the University of South Alabama College of Nursing and allows students to fulfill the internship requirements set forth by the University.
ISSUE:
Metro Health continues to receive requests from students attending educational institutions outside of San Antonio and the State of Texas. These students are often originally from San Antonio but chose to receive an education in another city or state. Agreements with accredited educational institutions will allow Metro Health to expand collaborations with institutions outside of San Antonio. The agreement with the University of South Alabama College of Nursing will allow Metro Health to collaborate and provide an educational experience to students interested in carrying out the mission of public health.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the agreement with the University of South Alabama and approval for the Director of Health to enter into future agreements with accredited educational institutions is not authorized, Metro Health will need to deny the public health experience request from the students attending the University of South Alabama and require council action for each agreement with other nonlocal accredited educational institutions in the future. In addition, Metro Health will have to forgo opportunities to expand its impact on public health through new professionals eager to carry out the mission of public health.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with the University of South Alabama College of Nursing through April 19, 2019 with three automatic one year renewals and for the Director of Health to enter into agreements with accredited educational institutions for student practical experiences. There is no funding needed for these agreements and there is no impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Ordinance authorizing the agreement with the University of South Alabama College of Nursing for the provision of practical experiences in public health activities to its students and the Director of Health to enter into agreements with accredited educational institutions to provide practical experiences in public health activities for students.