For Clinicians

This information is intended to help anyone working in clinical areas determine their safety training requirements in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and other applicable regulations.

Core Clinical Safety Training Program:

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Chemical Hazard Communication Training: Required for WCMC clinical employees and students who do not work in a laboratory but do come in direct contact with patients; handle clinical specimens, chemicals, or disinfectants; routinely work in a clinical environment; or handle biological waste (red bag/sharps). As many clinical staff work in both NewYork Presbryterian Hospital (NYP) and Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) clinical areas, NYP and WCMC have coordinated safety training programs to minimize redundant safety training between the two areas.

Utilize the following clinical safety training matrix to determine if you should complete the NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training or the WCMC EHS Clinical and General Safety Training.

  Located in NYP Joint Commission Space Located in Non-Joint Commission Space
Physicians, Physician Assistants, and
Nurse Practitioners (Credentialed)		 NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training
Nurses (Credentialed)
including Staff RNs and LPNs		 NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training and WCMC Human Resources New Nurse Orientation
Other Credentialed Employees NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training
Students and Non-Credentialed Employees
including but not limited to students, nursing assistants, medical assistants, or other staff that may come into contact with human blood or other potentially infectious materials		 NYP COLE Learning Center Annual Safety Training WCMC EHS - Clinical and General Safety Training
  • Instructor-led Sessions
  • Annual On-line Refresher

Specialized Safety Training Programs:

Other specialized safety training programs must also be completed for those who conduct the following specialized work activities:

Clinical Radiation Safety Training: Required for anyone who works with radiological sources or radiation-emitting equipment. This training is typically coordinated by the Clinical Department.

Biological Materials and Dry Ice Shipments Training: Required for anyone involved in packaging, shipping, or preparing shipping documents for biological materials (including human blood and patient specimens) and/or dry ice. The use of Quest Diagnostic Laboratory or similar collection boxes does not apply. (register/more information)

G-97 Cryogenic Liquids Certificate of Fitness (FDNY): Required for anyone in clinical areas that store, handle, and use of cryogenic liquids in amounts that are over the FDNY permit threshold (e.g. 60 gallons). (more information)

MRI Safety Training: Required for anyone who may enter Zone 4 of a MRI Suite. Service staff (e.g. Engineering & Maintenance, Security) will receive this training from EHS. Everyone else will receive MRI safety training through their Department (e.g. Radiology, CBIC).

On-line Fire Safety Training for Administrative Staff and Volunteers: Required for administrative staff and volunteers to review fire safety and prevention work practices and fire evacuation procedures. Fire safety training is also included within annual safety trainings associated with Bloodborne Pathogen and Chemical Hazard Communication training programs. Note that volunteers who provide patient care or may be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen or hazardous chemical must complete Clinical and General Safety training. (more information)