Personal Care Attendants

Marymount University understands that Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) may be necessary to address the personal needs of a student with a disability in order for that student to fully participate at the University.

Students who require personal care attendant services who wish to have the same independent experience as all other college students are encouraged to hire an impartial PCA, who is not a family member or close friend.

The Student’s Responsibility

An otherwise qualified student who requires personal attendant services is responsible for making arrangements to provide for his/her own personal attendant service. The University does not assume coordination or financial responsibilities for personal attendant services.

It is the student’s responsibility to:

  • Secure a PCA prior to attending any college-related activity, i.e. orientation, placement testing, registration, and class attendance. (The University will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis.)
  • Sign the Personal Care Attendant Agreement & ID Request form each semester.
  • Ensure that each PCA registers with the Student Access Services Office and signs the Personal Care Attendant Agreement each semester.
  • Ensure that if PCA personnel changes occur during the semester, he/she and the new PCA registers with the Student Access Services Office and signs a new PCA Agreement form.
  • Ensure that all PCA ID cards and/or residence hall keys are immediately returned to the Student Access Services Office in the event a personal care attendant’s employment with the student is terminated.
  • Direct the activities of the personal care attendant while at the University.
  • Have a backup plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA not be available to work with the student on a particular day or in a particular class.
  • Follow the University’s policies and abide by the Marymount Student Handbook.

The Personal Care Attendant’s Responsibility

The PCA is expected to:

  • Adhere to Marymount University’s Code of Conduct as well as any and all other University policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
  • Conduct him/herself in a courteous and professional manner while on campus.
  • Not discuss any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff, or students.
  • Allow the student to take responsibility for his/her own progress and/or behavior.
  • Refrain from contact with or asking questions of faculty, staff, or others on behalf of the student.
  • Refrain from intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff or other students.
  • Refrain from working on or completing any of the student’s academic assignments.
  • Complete and sign the Personal Care Agreement and ID Request form each semester and adhere to the requirements within.

Personal Care Agreement and ID Request

In order for the personal care attendant to obtain the required University ID, the student is responsible for downloading a copy of the Personal Care Agreement & ID Request Form and making an appointment with Student Access Services to discuss the form and create a Campus Service Plan. Both the student and PCA should attend this appointment.

Any PCA who fails to abide by the above policies and procedures and/or those outlined on the Personal Care Attendant Agreement and ID Request form may be subject to removal from the residence halls, expulsion from the University campus, loss of all privileges and/or any other action the University considers appropriate in the event the University determines that the PCA has acted in a manner inconsistent with University policies and/or these procedures.

Background Investigation Requirement

It is the responsibility of the student and/or PCA to obtain and submit a copy of a background investigation conducted by the personal care attendant’s employing agency.

The background investigation report must be in accordance with the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Public Safety requirements.

In the event the background investigation report does not meet these requirements or in the event of a private employment relationship between the PCA and the student, Marymount University will conduct such a background investigation.

The current cost of a background investigation is $25 and will be the responsibility of the student and/or PCA.