December 8, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials. @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u Contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org and notify her of your condition. We are not installing plexiglass at general locations at this time. Low-cost health insurance for employees CME reimbursement and time outside of normal PTO to take classes, attend conferences etc. This benefit is available to all Lehigh staff and faculty, regardless of whether they participate in the University's medical insurance plans. You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Testing and visits for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are covered under the Universitys medical plans with no cost share to the patient through January 16, 2022. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. St. Luke's, LVHN employees with natural COVID immunity can defer The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptoms and for those experiencing symptoms. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. St. Lukes and LVHN announced Aug. 9 that they were implementing a vaccine mandate for all employees, as well as everyone who conducts business in those health care organizations. As a result, LVHN's Hours: 24/7 Not seeing an appointment time that works for you? LVHN front-line health care workers receive COVID-19 vaccine. Almost everyone who works at the Lehigh Valleys biggest hospital networks tens of thousands of health care employees has now been vaccinated against COVID-19. Pain at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, low-grade fever and nausea are common. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. The screenings include: LVHN E-Visit: This is a questionnaire-based assessment completed by you, evaluated by a provider and. Yes. \w `SHF$""\ypG >q]GUH.8Ap PTcdFdTzA$'D1d)=/UI@GF/m=8 |4&_55=y4gI:_] ZfsH/2L9>z 9A5K'QkNg. #`4Kx\aXNUmkSiXsl'+M_'uf~l Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. HUMo0Wh jv E6i0v7Vlm]GJ8a.QlS||@,8%CYw@hZD=Zor J!F#bA8 \gnhC# From low to high risk, the levels are: green, yellow, orange and red. What should I do if I've had contact with someone with COVID-19? How do faculty and staff submit their vaccination and booster documentation? So when LVHN sent an email to employees about a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine, Miller jumped at the opportunity to help end the pandemic, signing up half an hour later. Already a print subscriber? Note to supervisors and department chairs: Staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. St. Luke's and LVHN employees who caught COVID-19 to defer getting the vaccine, other employers may follow Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer Some employers are considering allowing. Contact us For more information on LVHN Occupational Health services, contact us at Carisa Vetrano at carisa.vetrano@lvhn.org. If I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? However, Dr. Michael Nussenzweig, one of the studys authors and head of Rockefellers Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, said in this instance benefits dont outweigh risks. The second dose is more likely to produce side effects than the first. Faculty and Staff Who Test Positive for COVID-19, Flu and Shingles Vaccine Benefits for Lehigh Medical Plan Participants, Expanding Access To Medical Insurance - The Employer Mandate, Indexed Dollar Figures for Employee Benefit Plans, LVAIC Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Program, Lehigh Undergraduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, Lehigh Graduate Spouse/Partner Tuition Benefits, LVAIC Spouse/Partner Tuition Exchange Benefit, Lehigh Undergraduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, Lehigh Graduate Dependent Tuition Benefit, ConsumerMedical Expert Medical Opinion Service, Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Food Service, Housekeeping, and Landscaping Employment Opportunities, Cash for Colleagues Employee Referral Program, Completing the Fully Remote Workplace Arrangement Request, Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Using Booking and Events to Schedule Interviews, Accessing and Registering for Learning Opportunities, Canceling or Changing a Workshop Registration, Guide for Self-Reported Training in PageUp, Smoking Cessation Resources for Benefits Eligible Employees, Lehigh University Protection of Minors Policy, Information for Directors of Programs Involving Minors, Annual Security & Annual Fire Safety Report, COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty. LVHNs announced its mandate alongside St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network on Aug. 9. The remaining employees received either permanent medical or religious exemptions or temporary exemptions due to having natural immunity after contracting COVID-19. Normal cleaning processes will resume. What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? A recent study by researchers at Rockefeller University, which hasnt been published or peer-reviewed, found that natural infection can create B cells, a type of white blood cell, that produce more potent antibodies for fighting COVID-19 and its variants than the B cells created after vaccination. What are the immediate side effects? "It's not FDA-approved, it's. "Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19," said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. All members of the community are encouraged to treat one another with respect. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. However, Bidens orders have faced significant opposition by Republicans in both the judicial and legislative branches of government. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. Our partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager, Christine Wolfe RN, who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. All faculty have been instructed to work with students to ensure their ability to keep up with coursework if they need to quarantine or isolate. If you received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 to prevent you from getting sick, you should wait 30 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Aug. 17SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill Haven Area School District wasted no time in putting the new Lehigh Valley Health Network Sports Performance Center to use. %%EOF Faculty should indicate to students how they plan to support students who need to be in isolation. All Frequently Asked Questions - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. The researchers also said they may have underestimated asymptomatic infections and the results may be confounded by certain factors like health behaviors and chronic illness among vaccinated subjects. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at provost@lehigh.edu and staff should contact Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu. I received a bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic test - what should I do? On Wednesday, Pfizer said that the initial two shots of its vaccine appear significantly less effective against omicron but that a booster dose may offer important protection. Visit the campaign website now >, 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); All Rights Reserved, Faculty & Staff Frequently Asked Questions, Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result must notify Christine Wolfe and notify Lehigh by following the instructions in the, COVID-19 Return to Campus Employee Health Guide. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Guidance for Staff and Faculty | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . During the semester, the Lehigh COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily during the week with the most current case information. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. You should contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. In addition, widespread vaccination supports the health and safety of the campus community and helps us to achieve and sustain a safe and successful semester with more normal activity on campus, including in-person classes, in-person events, full density, and other elements of the full campus experience. How can I report a concern about a community member not following proper behavior to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 on campus? 389 0 obj <> endobj If you have questions, please call Employee Health Services at the number below. Both of the major health networks in the Lehigh Valley have COVID-19 vaccine mandates in place for employees, but if any employee contracted COVID-19 themselves, they are allowed to defer. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated that, unlike vaccinations, employers cannot mandate antibody tests because they are not reliable. St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September. Health Department staff* are available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 233 96650. That was the date Miller received his first dose of either a placebo (inactive substance) or the vaccine being produced by Pfizer and partner BioNTech to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The mandate for health care workers would have gone into effect Monday if not for judges in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District Court of Missouri and the Western District of Louisiana issuing injunctions on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. LVHN is providing free COVID-19 screenings online and by phone. However, the study has multiple limitations. MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment Online scheduling is currently disabled Please call us at 888-402-LVHN (5846) to schedule an appointment. LVHN temporarily closing urgent care center in Carbon County In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. COVID-19 Health Services from LVHN for Staff and Faculty She serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19 and facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. '2u&"2U(g/CHtO )D1nq1dY,{,5((ADE{'9K2Y`z;p'YNwC|Wh8 I)yPj$C"gx_rTe6399Pa+3|Ypt5ZWM14'KTVQJ!B (F(Mja_EGgLteFQF,$8~~] HveCexUzQ&!P3?Vm+kEfTs^-{/mbXL$eL'2. We welcome your questions, ideas and suggestions. P.C. Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? In August, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network made the shots a requirement, setting individual deadlines for employees to get vaccinated, get an exemption or quit. LVHN, St. Luke's, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to require Noncompliance with the vaccination requirement will result in employees not having access to campus facilities and will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. The cold weather, Thanksgiving gatherings and a big rebound in holiday travel are all believed to be playing a role, along with public weariness with pandemic restrictions. These policies to be introduced soon will apply to everyone who works or conducts business within the health care organizations. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. While Occupational Health services are vital, taking employees off the worksite is always an investment in time. COVID-19: Employee action steps - Lafayette Together LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. If LVHN employees covered by this policy are vaccinated outside of LVHN clinics, LVPG practices or Employee Health Services, they must provide evidence of immunization to Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. This story was updated Tuesday to indicate Lehigh Valley Health Network has decided to update its policy; previously the health network had been discussing doing so. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. Instructors who choose to shift to remote-only instruction should: 1. send an email to their chair indicating their plan for instruction for the coming week and 2. inform students of this planned shift. Thank you for your interest in Lehigh Valley Health Network. 86N{L.=8kZ'=Bj,+=L`+zA ^,`5$gx;v4Osxc? z> The situation is not as dire as last years surge, before the public had any access to COVID-19 vaccines, but the roughly 60% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent hot spots. If you received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 to prevent you from getting sick, you should wait 30 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Some readers want LVHN to reveal department of employee with coronavirus. The nurse case manager will facilitate care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. Medical and Allied Health Staff Code of Behavior Medical Staff Bylaws ( Please log into the LVHN Employee Network to view) Professional Practice Evaluation Policy and Procedure Medical Staff Information: Medical Staff Citizenship Requirements Allied Health Professional Information: Advanced Practice Clinicians Charter LVHN to close COVID-19 vaccine clinics - wfmz.com I'm an international student and I am not eligible to get the booster in my home country. Getting vaccinated has far fewer risks than catching COVID-19. If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19,immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. If the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. 6DGamY'N{o)Z{aG>;-p~ t{@m 2R{8yrT[m'BNfk34Yn?gej &e"FL8O)x{Ko yIWk.x,Jj!iWE@`. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. LVHN is closing 5 medical offices - Daily Press We are the region s largest employer and the . LVHN also said patients who have recently had COVID can defer boosters for at least three months following their diagnosis, as the illness can provide a significant immune system boost. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. u[5Yv\6=tcMM\$~.,5J2|-.-mgSV>~;c++a +^Rb bdk%s_x;GpV 0w/zu88@? Keep up with the latest info on corona in Munich (in German) However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfeor Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. A Pennsylvania hospital chain announces it will not require employees who had COVID-19 to get vaccinated for 12 months after their positive tests. For those who are tested at an alternate location, be aware that if you are not taking a rapid test, your results may take several days to be processed. hb```)ry ae`aq%TnPm[=``j`j`@S4Bb "EL0+0ez7F|OggfFu$f -"H mYg* ]A/ Click here.). The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. Under St. Lukes and LVHNs new policies, individuals who were infected with COVID-19 and recovered can defer their shots for up to 12 months from the date tested positive. Click here.). 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org and notify her of your condition. Click here to download the document. Are there any additional sick leave accommodations provided for staff? /@[ O If you are living on campus, the HWC will assist with determining if you need to be relocated to on-campus isolation housing and the provisions for how you will receive care and support during the time you are isolating. The . St. Lukes and Good Shepherds vaccine mandates had earlier deadlines than LVHN and those networks also reported success from their mandates. Christine must clear you for your return to work, and she will do so depending on your particular condition and using the most updated CDC guidance at the time. 0 Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials report. What do I do? If you test positive for COVID, contact the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. The partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager who will serve as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees with any health concerns related to COVID-19. MyLVHN - Schedule an Appointment - Lehigh Valley Health Network If you receive a positive test from an outside source, be sure to let the Health and Wellness Center know and to upload your results on your health center portal. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Out of nearly 40,000 workers across all three networks, only a few hundred chose to resign. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. LVHN to open 8 coronavirus testing sites in Lehigh Valley For all undergraduate and graduate students: If a student tests positive for COVID-19, including those living off-campus, the student must self-isolate for a minimum of 5 days. < Coronavirus Paid Leave Exemptions Exclude Millions of Workers From Medical Information Request and Verification Form. If an instructor becomes symptomatic or receives a positive COVID test result, the instructor should shift the class to remote instruction until the instructor receives a confirmed negative test result or, in the case of a positive test, is cleared to return to work. Supervisors and department chairs, staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Quarantine: separates and restricts the movements of those who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick. You can start here and watch the video that provides guidance about your next steps. Hospital Chain Won't Require Employees Who Had COVID-19 to Get Staff may use any type of paid leave to accommodate the need to stay home or leave campus early. The safety and well-being of the Lehigh community are our highest priority as we strive to provide the educational environment and workplace that students, faculty and staff expect. To access these services under Lehighs medical plan call the phone number listed on the back of your Capital Blue Cross Card. Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. Why is Lehigh requiring COVID vaccination and boosters for students, faculty and staff? We understand that some students are hesitant to report a positive test for fear of falling behind in classes. 426 0 obj <>stream The CDC offers more guidance on boosters, including eligibility, on the CDC website and Vaccines.gov provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community and allow for a return to normal campus operations. Its perfectly legal for employers who have vaccine mandates in place to allow deferrals for employees with natural immunity, Ed Easterly, with the law firm Hoffman, Hlavac & Easterly, said. Coronavirus, privacy and HIPAA: Should LVHN reveal department of employee? For students who are experiencing symptoms, we have partnered with the Lehigh Valley Health Network as a supplemental resource to provide access to their 24/7 nurse triage line (1-888-402-LVHN). Remdesivir Intravenous Therapy Now Offered Exclusively at New Infusion Site, Heart Complication (Myocarditis) Rare After COVID-19 Vaccination, We Are Family: Vaccine Clinic Brings Vaccines to Hazleton, COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Third Shots, COVID-positive patients must mask if able when staff are present in the room, Mask strongly encouragedwhen not eating or drinking, Permitted to visit LVHN employees and non-COVID-19 patients, Pet visits must be authorized by a physician, Follow guidelines for area(s) to be visited. Faculty with questions about medical exemptions or general information related to the process for submitting vaccination information should contact the Provosts Office at, and staff should contact Human Resources at, Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. Legislation has also been brought forward in the U.S. Senate to block Bidens mandate for large employers. What do I do if I suspect I have COVID-19? Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result should self-isolate, follow a primary care physicians advice, contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe,RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. All HVAC systems have received, and will continue to receive, regularly scheduled preventive maintenance. Dr. Alex Benjamin . Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. Demand for the vaccine with recent approval of boosters for all adults and shots for elementary school children has been high amid the surge and the emergence of the omicron variant, whose dangers are still not fully understood. Free lunches. Your View by LVHN employee: Why there's little room in Black community YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The first shipments of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for emergency use arrived in the Lehigh Valley around noon Thursday. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptomsand for those experiencing symptoms. Lehigh Valley Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists & other Lehigh Valley Health Network doctors are making waves on a global scale. Natural immunity has come up in lawsuits across the nation, with some arguing that they shouldnt have to get the vaccine because they already had COVID-19. Your provider will advise you about COVID-19 testing and quarantining during your virtual visit. Researchers said the results are only applicable to the delta strain and only the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine was examined. Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team, said a joint statement attributed to Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO Brian A. Nester, St. Lukes University Health Network CEO Rick Anderson Good Shepherd Rehabilitation CEO Michael Spigel. The claim: Employees who are fired for refusing a vaccine are eligible for unemployment benefits The highly transmissible delta coronavirus variant has caused a nationwide spike in cases,. What steps should I take? Contact your school or place of employment about specific COVID-19 guidelines before returning. endstream endobj 395 0 obj <>stream If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 306 S New St, Suite 437, Bethlehem, PA 18015, Expand menu for COVID-19 Guidance for Staff and Faculty, Expand menu for Flexible Spending Accounts, Expand menu for Retirement And Financial Security, Expand menu for Basic And Supplemental Life Insurance, Expand menu for Education Benefits For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Spouses/Partners, Expand menu for Tuition Benefits For Dependent Children, Expand menu for Ancillary Benefits And Services, Expand menu for Extended Health Care Benefits, Expand menu for Awards For Exceptional Performance And Contributions, Expand menu for Staff Fully Remote Policy, Expand menu for Market Referenced Job Evaluation Process, Expand menu for Disability Accommodation For Faculty and Staff, Expand menu for Using The Page Up Talent Management Portal, Expand menu for Position Description User Guides, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Policy Compliance, Expand menu for Protection of Minors Committee, To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with. Working on Campus. The new location is inside the Coordinated Health-Hazle Township facility at 26 Station Circle, Hazle Township. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. Fewer than 1% of LVHNs nearly 20,000 employees chose to leave rather than get vaccinated. . >Students living on- or off-campus who believe they have symptoms in line with COVID-19should call the Lehigh Health and Wellness Center (HWC) at 610-758-3870. Sodexo is seeking a full-time Manager 3, Regional Operations Support to support new business and/or vacancies throughout the entire US in Food and Environmental Services for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, located in Allentown, PA. Health eCareers hiring CRNA | LVHN NorthEastern PA in Dickson City No. Yes. What happens if I dont comply with the faculty/staff COVID vaccination requirement? (Cant see the Pa. vaccination rates map? HUn8}WTI,m\B`AeDr}i;C M (qx33t|u/nn\,c3e0]uW}^O'WA\U Where can I find more information about boosters? There are no laws governing this kind of exemption like there are for medical or religious exemptions, he said.
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