COVID-19: Learners & Students

As part of our commitment to a safe and healthy workplace, learners are required to complete an online self-screening tool prior to every admittance to the hospital site. The self-screening tool is a quick and convenient way for you to screen for any symptoms of COVID-19 prior to your shift.

Here’s how it works:

• Before you come into the hospital, go to https://hhsscreening.hhsc.ca
• Enter zero in the ID field, complete your personal details (name, email), select Learners for Job Category, and self-assess using the screen prompts
• At the end of the screen, you will receive a message directing you to proceed to the site or self-isolate and notify Employee Health Services (x 42200)
• If you have not completed the self-screening tool prior to arriving at a clinical site, screening will be completed at entry 
• Have your HHS or student ID ready for entry to the hospital
• At all clinical sites, staff, learners and physicians will be required to show their results to their respective manager/leader upon request for compliance auditing purposes.
• Access the tool by visiting https://hhsscreening.hhsc.ca

All staff, physicians and learners who self-screen using the online screening tool and have a clean mask to don before entering the hospital will not have to stop at a screening booth.

Masking

• You will need to have a clean mask with you and don it prior to entering the hospital. Hand sanitizing stations are available at all entrances so that you can clean your hands before putting on your mask.
• A mask and paper bag will be provided to you at the end of your previous shift to take home and bring back with you for your next shift. Your manager will provide details about how this will work in your area.

If you do not have access to a clean mask

• If you have not completed the self-screening tool prior to arriving at a clinical site, verbal screening will be completed at the visitors’ entrance
• If you fail screening, you are to contact Hamilton Health Sciences’ Employee Health Services (EHS) at COVIDFORMS@HHSC.CA or ext. 42200, and provide details including your name, symptoms and contact information so that COVID-19 testing can be arranged. Your health card should be readily available, as it will be required by both EHS and Public Health.
• Any learner who is non-compliant with screening processes will be denied entry to Hamilton Health Sciences and will be reported to their academic program.

If you have any questions, please contact the HITS Helpdesk via myIT, email to helpd@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 43000.

Criteria for COVID-19 testing of Learners and Students (currently on placement at Hamilton Health Sciences):

• Learners and Students who have a fever of 37.8 C or higher, or new onset or worsening of cough, or difficulty breathing need to contact Employee Health Services (EHS) at covidforms@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 42200 to be referred for COVID-19 testing. They must not attend their placement until cleared to do so by EHS.
• Learners and Students who are experiencing any two of the following minor symptoms: unexplained runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, nausea, anosmia (loss of smell) or diarrhea need to contact Employee Health Services (EHS) at covidforms@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 42200 to be referred for COVID-19 testing. They must not attend placement until cleared to do so by EHS.
• Learners and Students, who are experiencing only one of the above minor symptoms, need to contact Employee Health Services (EHS) at covidforms@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 42200 to be referred for COVID-19 testing.
• Learners and Students, who are concerned that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to contact Employee Health Services (EHS) at covidforms@hhsc.ca or 905-521-2100 ext. 42200.

The overarching goal of IPAC is to protect the health and safety of our patients, staff, physicians and Learners. This check list provides a summary of IPAC recommendations that help reduce risk in the hospital setting.

HHS and SJHH are also committed to the prevention of occupational illness and injury and supports an environment free from violence and harassment. HHS will take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of our healthcare workers.

View the IPAC checklist here.

At each of the sites, lockers are available for day use. Learners are asked to bring a lock and keep all belongings, including lunches, in these lockers. Kindly refrain from using space on the units that is designated for staff.

For locker areas that require a pass code, please contact your academic program for this information.

Locker Locations

For breaks and meals, learners are to use the common areas available at each site. Additional space is available as noted below: