Staff and Physician COVID-19 screening
Staff, physicians and learners are no longer required to complete the daily online screening tool when they come to an HHS site. However, everyone must remain vigilant for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or any other infectious disease. Please follow Communicable Disease Protocol and report any symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea or fever to Employee Health Services:
- EHS HGH – ext 46307
- EHS JH – ext 42314
- EHS MUMC – ext 75573
- EHS SPH – ext 12204
- EHS WLMH – ext 11211
Guidance on Self-Isolation, Testing and Return to Work for Staff & Physicians
The following information will help healthcare workers navigate the guidance and indicate if they are eligible to come back to work sooner.
COVID-19 guidance chart for staff and physicians
Definitions
- Workplace isolation: healthcare workers will remain masked the entire time they are at work and take breaks alone and at least 2 metres away from anyone. If carpooling, they must remain masked while in the vehicle and while walking to and from work with others.
- Vaccinated: healthcare workers who have received two doses of COVID vaccines (or one dose for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine) with the last dose at least 14 days prior.
If you have any questions about the guidance above, please speak with your leader or contact Employee Health Services.
Boosters for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers who received their second dose more than six months ago as of November 6th, are eligible to receive a booster dose through the HHS healthcare worker vaccination clinic. You must make an appointment using Public Health Services online booking system: www.hamilton.ca/getyourvaccine
NACI has recommended booster doses based on evidence of gradual waning immunity six months after receiving a second dose and a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Please see the Government of Ontario announcement and NACI guidance document for details.
While you are not required to submit proof of a COVID-19 booster to be in compliance with the HHS Vaccination Management Policy, you are encouraged to share this information with HHS Employee Health Services for inclusion in your employee health file. You can upload this documentation using the self-reporting tool.
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are now available and strongly encouraged. Please follow up with your local pharmacy to book an appointment and discuss any questions you may have about the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.
Mandatory reporting of COVID-19 vaccination status, additional vaccine resources
HHS Resources
- Staff & Physician Volunteer Vaccine Status Mandatory Reporting (select “guest”) If you have been contacted by your leader or Human Resources and asked to comply with the mandatory reporting requirement, you MUST take action. Upload proof of vaccination receipt from Ontario Health.
- How to complete your mandatory vaccination status report and upload your receipt: a step-by-step illustration
- COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs
- COVID-19 Vaccination Management
- Self-administered, home rapid antigen tests and result reporting
(for staff and physicians who have not reported their vaccination status, or who have reported an unvaccinated status)- COVID-19 Home Testing FAQ (updated Sept. 20, 2021)
- How to do a Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Self-Test: Illustrated instructions
- How-to video
- Instructions for online education – self-enrollment through HHS learning management system “MyLearning” inside Citrix
(for staff and physicians who have not reported their vaccination status, or who have reported an unvaccinated status) - Form: COVID- 19 Medical Exemption
- Form: COVID- 19 Religious/Creed Exemption
- HCP Toolkit for COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Planning Pregnancy
Resources to support vaccine confidence
- Hamilton Public Health (with involvement/support from HHS clinicians/specialists):
- Online: https://www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/public-health/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-covid/covid-19-vaccine for Q&As about the vaccine, plus xlinic locations and times.
- One-on-one/peer support via the Vaccine Confidence team at Hamilton PHS: vaccineconfidence@hamilton.ca
Vaccine Intervention Resources
- HCP COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations – Reminder Systems
- HCP Toolkit – COVID-19 Vaccines for Ages 5-11
- Postcard – COVID-19 Getting Vaccine
- Quick Reference Tool – Minimal Contact COVID-19 Vaccine Intervention
Provincial Resources
- COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy
- Directive #6 for Public Hospitals regarding compliance with a COVID-19 vaccination policy
- Resource Guide – Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directive #6
- Provincial Vaccination Receipts