Student Health Services

605 S. West Street • Box 19329 • 817-272-2771 • www.uta.edu/health_services/health.html

Student Health Services (SHS), located at 605 S. West St., is an on-campus, out-patient facility whose primary mission is to maintain the optimum physical and emotional health of U.T. Arlington students through the provision of quality, accessible, comprehensive and cost-effective primary health care.

SHS is staffed and equipped to care for most routine health needs of students. Many services are free. A reasonable fee is assessed for services such as medications, x-rays, laboratory tests, etc. Financial support is partially funded by a Medical Services Fee.

SHS and facilities are available to all enrolled students. A student who chooses NOT to enroll for a semester, but who plans to enroll the following semester, may receive treatment during the missed semester. Enrolled students who hold a position that requires student status as a condition of employment and their dependents 12 years of age and older who are covered by the U.T. System insurance may receive treatment, and the insurance company will be billed for services rendered. Faculty/staff may receive treatment at SHS for urgent care and other selected services on a fee for service basis, by appointment (817-272-2745).

Staffing: The staff includes full-time physicians and registered nurses, pharmacists, laboratory and x-ray technologists, clinical psychologists, a substance abuse specialist a student development specialist and related personnel. SHS provides medical services during those times when the University is open. Services are not available during scheduled University holidays. During these periods, medical care received from another source will be the patient's financial responsibility.

Services Available

General Medicine: Students with common medical problems are diagnosed and treated on a walk-in basis. Elective minor surgical procedures such as removal of cysts, moles and warts are available. Appointments are required for both the initial evaluation and the surgery.

Administration of Allergy Antigen Injections: Patients must provide the antigen and have their physicians provide SHS with details of their allergies and the proposed program of treatment.

Women's Clinic: Diagnosis and treatment of most diseases of the female reproductive organs are provided. Consultations, routine Pap smears, diagnostic tests for the various sexually transmitted diseases and breast examinations are done by appointment (817-272-2713). The various forms of contraception are discussed with students who seek advice of this nature.

Mental Health Clinic: Mental health services are available to students and faculty/staff by appointment (817-272-2713), and no referral is necessary. Services available include psychological assessment and treatment. Referrals to health agencies or other professionals are made when needed.

Laboratory: The laboratory is equipped to do all routine determinations. For more sophisticated procedures, specimens are obtained and sent to a reference laboratory for testing. Outside physicians' requests will be honored. Laboratory test results must be given by the clinician.

Pharmacy: The pharmacy dispenses medications at a reduced cost and provides medication counseling to all students and faculty/staff. The pharmacy is not only a provider for the student health insurance but is also a PCS network pharmacy for faculty/staff. Prescriptions from any licensed physician may be dispensed.

X-ray: All routine x-ray studies are done. After an initial reading by SHS physicians, the films are sent to a radiologist for final interpretation.

Medical Records: Since medical records are protected under patient/physician confidentiality provisions, only patients have access to their medical records. Records will not be released to anyone without written authorization by the patient or as provided by law.

HIV Infection/AIDS and Hepatitis B: HIV/AIDS education and testing are available for students and faculty/staff. Information is given on a one-to-one basis or, upon request, to campus and related groups. HIV antibody testing is anonymous and requires pre- and post-test counseling. Clients are referred to appropriate off-campus facilities, if needed. The UTA brochure Policy and Guidelines on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is available at SHS.

Substance Abuse Prevention: A variety of services is available to students and faculty/staff. Programs to assist individuals in making appropriate decisions regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs are available. The emphasis is on education, programming, support, intervention and short-term counseling. Referrals are made to Metroplex resources when a person is identified as being chemically dependent. The UTA brochure Information Regarding Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Abuse is available at SHS.

Peer Education: Students in the Peer Education Program assist other students, faculty/staff and members of the outside community in making healthier choices about alcohol and other drugs and their relationship to sexual and other health issues. Students may participate in this program on a volunteer basis or enroll in a class for academic credit. Peer educators develop presentations and résumé building skills.

Education: In the spirit of this educational community, it is hoped that students will also use SHS as a resource for information on health related issues and preventive medicine.

Report of Medical History: A Report of Medical History form must be completed prior to being seen at SHS. A physical examination is required only if the student is medically unable to participate in exercise and sport activities.

Patient Rights: SHS recognizes its responsibility to ensure that every patient, regardless of sex, race, age, beliefs or handicap, has the right to be treated with respect, consideration and confidentiality. Patients should take the initiative to communicate their concerns and questions about problems in their health condition, medication, procedures and previous health history. Patients have the right to seek a second medical opinion, to change primary or specialty physicians and to be informed of and refuse to participate in experimental research.

Transportation: SHS is an out-patient facility and, as such, provides only ambulatory medical services. For true emergencies or when the seriousness of the patient's condition is uncertain, call the University Police at 817-272-3003. The police will dispatch officers to the site and call an ambulance if needed. These officers are trained in CPR and first aid and can stabilize the patient until an ambulance arrives. This procedure should be followed even when SHS is open.

Indebtedness: It is the student's responsibility to satisfy indebtedness to SHS with reasonable promptness. Upon payment, receipts will be issued which can be used by the student for submitting claims to personal insurance companies.

Health Insurance: SHS is not equipped to perform the more extensive diagnostic procedures and services offered by a general hospital. Therefore, all U.T. Arlington students are strongly urged to have adequate medical insurance coverage.

Students on non-immigrant visas are required to carry health insurance and must show proof of coverage at the time of registration.

An optional systemwide student health insurance plan is available through an insurance carrier by contract with the University. SHS will direct bill this insurance company for the covered charges incurred by the student. In addition, the deductible is waived when treatment is received at SHS.

For more information about the student health insurance plan, contact SHS at 817-272-2771. Insurance brochures and applications are available at SHS and other locations on campus.

Blood Reserve Fund Plan: U.T. Arlington, in cooperation with Carter BloodCare, sponsors a blood reserve fund plan for UTA students and faculty/staff. To participate in the reserve fund, members are requested to donate regularly during semiannual blood drives held on campus. The reserve fund drives are coordinated through Student Governance and Organizations, and the release of blood credits is coordinated through SHS.