• Washington State is a "Self Choice State," which means an injured employee has the option to seek care with a provider of their choice.
  • Counseling, Health, & Wellness Services (CHWS) does not provide medical care for university faculty and staff.

CHWS does not provide emergency treatment for students with work-related injuries or illnesses. When a student presents to CHWS with an injury, the front desk staff will ask if the injury is work-related. When a student indicates the injury is work-related, the health staff will be notified and appropriate referrals.

CHWS health care providers can offer triage and may be required to stabilize a student before transporting to an appropriate facility. If the injury is minor, such as a laceration not requiring sutures, a simple abrasion without other injuries, or a minor burn, the health care provider may decide to treat the student in CHWS. If there are any fees associated with this treatment, the patient will be billed and given a receipt to submit to Human Resources for reimbursement.

Guidelines from the Human Resources policy "On the Job Injuries and Illnesses":

  • If a student presents with an on-the-job injury or illness, they should be advised to report the incident to their supervisor as soon as possible.
  • If the injury or illness results in a visit to a health care provider or in time lost from work, the student should be advised to complete a Self Insured Accident Report form (SIF-2) in Human Resources within 48 hours of the injury or illness. If the student requires emergency care, CHWS staff may call Human Resources at 253.879.3369 to obtain a claim number.
  • When medical attention is needed, the student should be referred to their provider of choice or one of the following community facilities:
    • For Emergency Care:
      Multicare Allenmore Medical Center Emergency Room
      South 19th & Union
      253.459.6633
    • CHI Franciscan St. Joseph Hospital
      1717 S. "J" Street
      253.426.4101
    • For Non-emergent Care:
      • MultiCare West Tacoma Urgent Care
        2209 N. Pearl Suite 100
        253.792.6900
      • University Place Urgent Care
        4310 Bridgeport Way W. Ste A
        253.459.7177

(Access the complete Human Resources "On-the-Job Injuries and Illnesses Policy")