CB New Student Onboarding

CastleBranch is SOMI's online compliance tracking system.

• MyCB: Stores records that show you are authorized to be in a clinical setting prior to enrollment.
  • You can think of this as a "storage center" where you will upload your immunizations, BLS certification, physical exam, and where your records will be stored.

Required health documents must be completed and/or uploaded to CastleBranch by the deadlines below. Failure to complete the requirements below will result in an offer of admission being withdrawn.

Questions? Reach Out To:

Julie Semo, MEd
Student Onboarding Coordinator
Email: Julie_Semo@bshsi.org 

Jump To:

• Submitting Documents to CastleBranch
• Immunization Record Form
• Physical Exam | Health Assessment Form
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Card Information
• HeartCode BLS Certification Process
• New Student FAQ
• MyCB Video Tutorials 

Purchase a MyCB CastleBranch Account - by May 6, 2025

• Visit CastleBranch
• Enter package: BH55
• Select "Create Account"
• Enter your email address and create a password
• Continue to enter your personal information
• Once you get to the end, you will be asked to pay a one-time package fee of $153.98
  • Once your account is created your background check will automatically initiate, and you may begin uploading all required compliance documentation detailed in the attached packet. All students must have a CastleBranch account to participate in clinicals. 

Complete the Form for the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Registry - by May 16, 2025

• Download the form found in your MyCB account dashboard
• Complete the form and upload the document to the submission field
• Within 1 to 2 days, a new requirement will populate in your MyCB account to complete an online entry in the Virginia DSS Portal

Complete a Physical Exam with Your Doctor - by May 20, 2025

• Download the RHEI Physical Form found in your MyCB account dashboard
• Take this form to a trusted physician. It must be completed and signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
• Upload the completed and signed form to your MyCB dashboard

Complete a TB Test - by May 21, 2025

• TB Blood Test - this MUST BE a blood draw. PPD skin tests will NOT be accepted. Your doctor can order these labs to be drawn at the location of your choice. They can order either of the tests below:
  • T-Spot
  • QuantiFERON Gold Test

• Upload the results from your TB test to your MyCB dashboard. 

  *If you have already had a TB test, your physician can note the results on the immunization form, which will then be uploaded for this requirement.

Upload Your Immunization Records to MyCB - by June 17, 2025

• Measles/Mumps/Rubella - you need EITHER: Proof of two vaccines OR a positive titer
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) - you need EITHER: Proof of two vaccines OR a positive titer.
  • Note: If you were born before the vaccine was introduced in 1995 and have had the chicken pox, you will need to get a titer done that indicates immunity.
• Hepatitis B - this is a tricky one. Please be sure to read carefully to understand what is required.
  • You can show proof of FULL vaccination (3-dose series of Engerix-B/Recombivax HB or 2-dose series of Heplisav-B) OR a positive titer.
  • You can show proof you have begun the series of vaccines if you've never received them before. Please note the Hepatitis B vaccine follows a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule. If you need to get the series, you may not finish it by the deadline. That is OK. MyCB will create requirements to upload the subsequent doses as you receive them.
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) - this must have been received within the last 10 years. If you received a TDAP that will expire while you are here in school, I recommend going ahead and getting your booster.
• Flu Vaccination - documentation of the most recent flu season's immunization OR a College-approved exemption. If you would like to request an exemption, please follow the link in the text.
  • Note: For incoming fall students, this requirement will not be due until December after classes begin.

Complete Your Drug Screen - by May 21, 2025

• Once you purchase your CastleBranch account, download the drug screen order form.
• Drug screens must be completed at LabCorp.
• This is a list of LabCorp Drug Testing Facilities in the surrounding area. Please note that some facilities have special hours for drug screens.
• Be sure to take your drug screen order form with you.
• Please Note: Drug screens usually take 2 weeks to process. A negative drug screen result MUST be on your MyCB account by the required due date.

Upload Your BLS Certification - by May 23, 2025

• If you do not already have a BLS certification, there are 2 options:
  • If you are Bon Secours employee, you can set this up through your supervisor.
  • You can also obtain BLS certification through BSHSI-Heartcode.
    • Please see this document for more information on this process
• This MUST be a BLS (Basic Life Support for Providers) - Bon Secours Mercy Health recognizes three certifying bodies for BLS:
  • American Heart Association (AHA)
  • American Red Cross
  • American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)
• This document provides you with examples of approved Basic Life Support Cards

Still have questions? Please reach out to Julie Semo, Student Onboarding Coordinator, at Julie_Semo@bshsi.org.