Frequently Asked Questions

1) Where is BVC Student Health Services located?

Student Health Services is located in Learner Success Services, 1st Floor, South Campus which is in downtown Calgary, 345 - 6 Avenue SE. Our phone number is 403-410-1675.

2) What services does Student Health Services provide?

Bow Valley College Health Services provides on-site nursing services to learners enrolled in programs within the Calgary area, including:

First aid
Assistance with finding a doctor in the community
Basic dressings and wound care; suture/staple removal
Blood pressure measurement
Immunizations for students in BVC health care programs
Check blood sugar
Health assessment
Health education
Health education resources
Ice and heat application
Crisis intervention and referral
Help with finding community resources
Providing written educational materials for different health topics
Assistance with incident reporting
Assistance with Worker's Compensation (for students)
Smoking cessation resources
Check weight and height

3) What time is Student Health Services open?

Health Services is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. We do not see students between 12:30 and1:30 pm or answer the phone during that time.

4) Do I need an appointment to see the nurse or can I just drop in?

If you are taking a health care program and need to do your immunizations, you should book an appointment. Call us at 403-410-1675.
If you are feeling sick or are injured while at school, you can come Learner Success Services on the main floor in the South campus building, and ask to see the nurse.
If you would like to talk about a health problem or have health questions, this may take a bit more time with the nurse and so an appointment would be preferred. Then, the nurse can spend the needed time with you and make sure you get the care you deserve!

5) Are there doctors in Student Health Services?

No. We do not have a doctor in Student Health Services. We provide nursing services only (please see Question #2 for a list of services we provide).

6) I don't have a doctor. Can Student Health Services help me find one?

If you do not already have a family doctor, we can help you to find a doctor. We have a doctor we can refer you to. That doctor can see you while you are a student at Bow Valley College. Please come to Student Health Services, in Learner Success Services on the main floor in the South campus building, to see the nurse for help with this.

7) I am taking a health care program at BVC and need to have my immunizations reviewed. What do I do if I don't have any immunization records from the past?

We see many students that do not have any immunization records. Try your best to gather records and if you cannot get them just let us know that when you book your appointment with us. We will talk about what you remember from the past and provide you with any missing immunizations that are recommended for health care workers.

8) What immunizations do I need to get for my health care program?

For details about what immunizations are recommended for different health care programs, check out the Student Health Services web page, BVC Immunization Requirements.

9) Where can I go to see a dentist? What if I don't have health benefits or much money to pay for dental care?

The nurse at Student Health Services can help you with finding a dentist that will accept your type of health care insurance, including Alberta Works. We can also help you if you have no insurance coverage for dental care.

10) Where can I go to get my eyes and vision checked? How much will it cost?

An eye doctor is called an Optometrist. You can go to any Optometrist that you choose. If you have health insurance that covers eye exams, you will need to pay to get your eyes checked and send in the receipt to the insurance company. Then you will get money back. Check with your insurance company to find out how much money they will give you back and how to go about getting the refund. If you are on the BVC Student Health and Dental plan, you can get claim forms from the Student's Association office at Bow Valley College.
Eye exams cost approximately $80.00 or more.
If you cannot afford to pay for an eye exam or glasses, please visit Student Health Services, , for assistance from the nurse.

11) I don't know if I have Alberta Health Care coverage or not. If I don't have this coverage, how do I get it? What does Alberta Health Care pay for?

Some learners at Bow Valley College have Alberta Health Care coverage as part of their health benefits, but some may not. If you do not know if you have provincial health care coverage or not, please come to Student Health Services, in Learner Success Services on the main floor in the South campus building,and speak with a nurse. We also have application forms for Alberta Health Care coverage. There are no fees for Alberta Health Care coverage.
If you have out-of-province health care coverage, you may be covered for some health care costs for a limited amount of time. If you exceed that time and need treatment, you may be required to pay for services. Therefore, it is important to have up-to-date health care coverage for the province you are living in.
Provincial health care covers costs for doctor visits, lab testing, specialist referrals and diagnostic tests like x-rays, ultrasounds and MRI scans. There are some services and supplies that are not covered by provincial health care and you will be required to pay for them. Ask your health care provider before receiving the service.

Bow Valley College Student Health Services - Immunization FAQs

1) Who do I contact at Bow Valley College for information about immunizations?
Phone BVC Student Health Services at 403-410-1675 or you can find information about the immunizations for health care program learners on the Bow Valley College web site or by checking out your myBVC web portal once you have been accepted into a program.

2) I used to work for Alberta Health Services so I think I have everything I need for immunizations. Do I still have to see the nurse at BVC?
Yes. If you are taking the program within the Calgary area you need to make an appointment to see the nurse to review your immunization records (if you have any) and make sure immunizations and Tuberculosis screening are up-to-date. Requirements may be different for different health care settings so you need to make sure you have met the BVC requirements. Off-site learners need to complete their requirements in their community (check out www.bowvalleycollege.ca to find out detailed information about the immunization requirements for your program).

3) I can't find my records/I have no records, what should I do?
Make an appointment at Learner Success Services, 1st Floor, South Campus (403-410-1675) or your local community health centre if you are taking your program outside the Calgary area. You do not need immunization records to make an appointment to see the nurse.

4) I've moved a lot and so I'm not sure how to find my immunization records. What do I do?
Try your best to contact the Community Health Centre in the area where you went to school. Depending on where you grew up, your doctor may have provided immunizations for you as a child. They may have immunization records for you. A parent or caregiver may also have kept records for you. If you cannot get any records, just make an appointment with Student Health Services 403-410-1675 (or your local community health centre if you live outside of the Calgary area) and we will discuss your history with you and provide you with anything you need.

5) I have some immunization records from when I was little, but nothing as an adult. Do I need to get more shots?
You may need to. This will be determined at your first appointment. Bring any records you may have to your first appointment even if they are from childhood (these are actually helpful).

6) Do I need to have all my immunizations done before I start my classes?
No. You do not need to have your immunizations completed before you start your classes. You have to attend to immunizations and testing prior to the start of the first clinical placement/work experience. But as soon as you have been accepted into your program you need to take the necessary steps to meet these requirements right away because it can take weeks and sometimes months to meet even the minimum requirements.

7) Where do I send in my immunization records? Do I need to let the Registrar's office or admissions department know about my immunization records?

Do not send in your records prior to seeing the nurse. Bring copies of any records you have to your first appointment.
Learners taking their program a distance from the Calgary area should refer to the immunization information sheet that is sent out via the myBVC email upon acceptance into a health care program for instructions on where to send in the completed BVC immunization record.
Immunization records are handled entirely by BVC Student Health Services. The Registrar's office and admissions department do NOT need your immunization records.

8) Does Student Health Services give me the immunizations I need or do I have to get them somewhere else?

Learners living within the Calgary area should receive all needed immunizations and Tuberculosis testing from BVC Student Health Services.
DO NOT SEE A DOCTOR to complete your requirements. That is unnecessary and often is not helpful. You could also be charged fees for that service from a doctor.
Learners taking their program a distance away from the Calgary area should get their immunizations from their local community health centre or clinic and may need to see a doctor to have the blood test for Hepatitis B immunity ordered and/or a chest x-ray ordered if necessary.

9) Do I have to pay anything for the immunizations?
It will not cost you anything to get your immunizations at BVC Student Health Services. Learners living outside of the Calgary area may be charged a fee for Tuberculosis (Mantoux) testing.

10) Will I get everything I need at my appointment?
At your first appointment, your immunization history is reviewed and you may receive immunizations and/or Tuberculosis testing at that time. However, it may take several appointments to meet your requirements.

11) Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Bring copies of any immunization records you have (if you have any) and your provincial health care number.

12) Will I need to come to Student Health Services more than once to do my immunizations?
If you require Tuberculosis skin testing, you will require two appointments for sure. It may take a few visits to complete your immunizations.

13) Can I see a doctor to meet the immunization requirements?
We advise you NOT to go to a doctor to meet your requirements because Student Health Services can provide you with everything you may need, free of charge. If you are taking your program outside of the Calgary area you may need to see a doctor for certain things (refer to the immunization information that is emailed to you upon acceptance to your program).

14) I have had a screening test for Tuberculosis done before. Do I need to do it again?
You may need to have updated screening for Tuberculosis if it was greater than one year since your last TB test and/or chest x-ray (if you had a "positive" test in the past).

15) Can I go to clinical/work experience if I don't have all of my immunizations done by the time it starts?
If you have not met the minimum immunization requirements, you will NOT be allowed to attend your clinical placement/work experience.

16) I don't believe in immunizations. Do I have to get them?
There are some exceptional circumstances under which immunizations are not given to individuals. Learners that are taking a health care program are considered "health care workers" and are considered to be at high risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Immunization requirements and recommendations are in place not only to protect your health but also the health of clients, patients, family members, coworkers and the general community. Protecting oneself and others from communicable diseases is considered part of the responsibility of being a health care professional.

If you choose not to be immunized you may not be able to be placed in the necessary clinical placement site to meet your program requirements as outside agencies and Alberta Health Services may not accept you into their site without being fully immunized and screened for Tuberculosis (a standard their employees are required to meet).