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. Please also note that while widespread vaccination will provide for substantive protection from the virus, individuals may choose to wear masks or practice other health and safety protocols in various settings. And Good Shepherd, which gave employees until Oct. 15, reported a 99% compliance rate among its workforce of about 1,200 people, including 71 who received exemptions or deferments. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lehigh Valley Health Network is closing five medical offices in Lehigh and Northampton counties, according to a letter that, LVHN spokesman Brian Downs confirmed, was sent to some employees. 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. 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. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Already a print subscriber? As an employer, Lehigh has the ability to implement this requirement for the health and safety of its community, and vaccination and boosters remain critical in supporting these efforts. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. Students with an approved exemption will be required to comply with the university's COVID-19 surveillance testing program and other preventive measures including, but not limited to, masking, social distancing and isolation/quarantine protocols, as determined by the university. Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result ina hold being placed on the student's account which will prevent them from registering for classes for the following semester. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. Additional information will be published on our website. But some medical research shows that natural immunity may offer some benefits vaccines dont. Will Lehigh's vaccine and booster requirements remain in place following the US Supreme Court's OSHA ruling? He said there are considerations for employers such as how they will establish whether somebody had COVID-19 as well as determining how long they will allow employees to defer their shots. For example, the U.S. Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. It has been brought to the attention of Human Resources that some healthcare providers may be submitting incorrect billing codes to Capital Blue Cross when a patient receives a COVID-19 diagnostic test, resulting in the patient being responsible for a copay or coinsurance for the visit. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. CDC guidance reported that in most cases cleaning alone removes virus particles on surfaces. 0. We are the region's largest employer and the health care provider of choice for more people in the region. 7. 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. Example: staying home and out of the public. If you are covered under one of the Universitys medical plans and if you, or any of your covered dependents, have received a COVID-19 diagnostic test for which you received a bill for the visit and/or test, and would like to have our office request that Capital Blue Cross review the claim, please complete the following Google Form: 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as. 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. We are limiting plexiglass to areas marked by frequent transactions or similar places of high interaction. @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u 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. hbbd```b`` ),rD"`,R Where possible, HVAC systems that introduce fresh air into the buildings will have the percentage of outdoor air settings adjusted to maximize the amount of fresh air movement through the building. The four levels address topics such as wearing a mask in our facilities, eating in our cafeterias, attending community meetings and more. The screenings include: LVHN E-Visit: This is a questionnaire-based assessment completed by you, evaluated by a provider and. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. Refer to our isolation and quarantining protocol for what to expect if you live on or off campus. Some readers want LVHN to reveal department of employee with coronavirus. I received a bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic test - what should I do? Ive received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. For faculty and staff, there are other forms of vaccination proof that may also be used for employer documentation. Those who test positive and have not been on campus or in close proximity are still encouraged to contact her. 412 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[389 38 428 1]/Info 388 0 R/Length 116/Prev 381408/Root 390 0 R/Size 429/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream ]oeaf4{hM>,O G!&B{] 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. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. Is there support for University staff and faculty (and their dependents) for mental health needs during this period? If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. St. Lukes and LVHN still encouraging employees with natural immunity to get the vaccine to maximize their protection against the viral infection. You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Recently, members of the military sued the Department of Defense, Food and Drug Administration and Department of Health and Human Services, and a professor at the University of California-Irvine sued the university. No. During this quarantine, you should monitor your health for any symptoms. The remaining employees received either permanent medical or religious exemptions or temporary exemptions due to having natural immunity after contracting COVID-19. The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. In addition to the health network's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Nester said LVHN remains focused on delivering the highest quality care to people in each community it serves. 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. Why one board member is criticizing process, New Jersey trooper shooting suspect caught, St. Lukes deadline for its mandate was in September, The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Lehigh Valley Health Network has opened seven new patient testing centers and will soon open an eighth amid the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants decreases over time. The university will not share confidential health information. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Downs said. Why is Lehigh requiring COVID vaccination and boosters for students, faculty and staff? You can start here and watch the video that provides guidance about your next steps. Staff may use any type of paid leave to accommodate the need to stay home or leave campus early. Out of a workforce approximately 20,000 strong, 97% are fully vaccinated. All rights reserved (About Us). What are the current campus status and protocols? What COVID vaccines fulfill the university's vaccination requirement? All HVAC systems have received, and will continue to receive, regularly scheduled preventive maintenance. You may also consult with Human Resources at inhro@lehigh.edu to determine whether your circumstances may be addressed under the Family and Medical Leave Act. 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. While we have had good responses so far, we will send the information to Capital Blue Cross with a request to review the claim for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that the claim will be reprocessed and paid. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. St. Lukes University Health Network, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network have jointly announced they will require all employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. How do faculty and staff submit their vaccination and booster documentation? All rights reserved (About Us). Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. Where can I find information about vaccination? Vision exams Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service (s). Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine for 10 days, or seven days if theyve tested negative for the virus. LVHN is providing free COVID-19 screenings online and by phone. We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. Does Lehigh have COVID-19 related health services for staff and faculty? LVHNs deadline for non-union employees to comply with the mandate was Nov. 12 and the deadline for union employees at LVH-Hazelton, LVH-Pocono and LVH-Schuylkill was Nov. 30. If you have any challenges scheduling, or need to contact us regarding your COVID vaccination, please call us at : 833-LVHN-CVD (833-584-6283). Hours: 24/7 Not seeing an appointment time that works for you? Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result in. img + .header { margin-top: 1rem; } For example, because someone is choosing to wear a mask (beyond any university requirements), complete the symptom checker, or complete other protocols is not necessarily indicative of their vaccination status. LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. - Lehigh Valley Health Network said Friday it will be closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. We are not installing plexiglass at general locations at this time. .block-reference .header { padding-top: 40px; }. Read more on the CDC website. If you test positive for COVID, contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. For insurance purposes, it may be important to obtain a test in your county of residence or via your primary healthcare provider. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. "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. Check with your local vaccine provider for their processes and requirements. Given the unpredictability of COVID in general and delta in particular, our best defense is universal vaccination, the sooner the better, Zurlo said. For minor pains, illnesses or allergies, get answers any time of the day or night with an ExpressCARE Video Visit. 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. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. Scheduling can be completed through MyLVHN, with the MyLVHN app, or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). The second dose is more likely to produce side effects than the first. Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. 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. Health Matters Blog; Services Listing; Pay Bill; Health Encyclopedia; Find a Provider; For Referring Physicians at the University of Rochester; . Lehigh medical benefits include behavioral health coverage. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. Once the isolation period has been completed and an individual is cleared to return to work or school, evidence of a negative test is not required. 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. This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. hUmOP+fq& -VMU2 These policies to be introduced soon will apply to everyone who works or conducts business within the health care organizations. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) remains vigilant as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, and we are committed to being your partner in health in these unprecedented times. LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. 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. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. Contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network. There are limitations, though. . Lukes infectious disease experts are following the science, and our policies are based on the science, Kennedy said. Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. Pros occasional free lunches Cons leadership - it all flows from there Was this review helpful? About URMC. Directions to our locations; I am a staff or faculty member. What should I do? If you experience or witness a situation in which members of our community, regardless of whether they are students, faculty, staff, or visitors are not adhering to these standards, you have the following options: If you can safely address the concern directly with the individual or group, you may do so by reminding them of University standards and our shared responsibility in promoting a healthy, safe and inclusive learning and working environment. LVHN is closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Health Department staff* are available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 233 96650. The . hb```)ry ae`aq%TnPm[=``j`j`@S4Bb "EL0+0ez7F|OggfFu$f -"H mYg* ]A/ I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. But even as the U.S. closes in on a milestone of 200 million people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, cases and hospitalizations are spiking again, including in highly inoculated corners of the country like New England. At these locations, we will screen, assess, test and keep you safe. Read more below for work-related resources. If you have any questions on your system or space please contact your building manager to review. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Nearly all LVHN employees complied with COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, Bryan Kohberger defense lawyers want gag order kept in Idaho killings case, Allentown School Board likely to vote on hiring Carol Birks as superintendent next week. Yes. Please do not send us any additional information other than what is requested in the form above. LVHN was the last to. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. So will clinics at LVHN hospitals in Hazleton and Pottsville. Do I need to show a negative COVID test to end isolation? Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. >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. 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. 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. Call 610-861-8080, select 5 to bypass menu and enter extension 21237. Being vaccinated is essential to save lives and finally end this pandemic, the health system CEOs said in the joint statement. What steps should I take? What are the restrictions on events, meetings and indoor and outdoor gatherings? provides location information for COVID vaccines and boosters. Can we keep it if it makes us feel more comfortable? 6DGamY'N{o)Z{aG>;-p~ t{@m 2R{8yrT[m'BNfk34Yn?gej &e"FL8O)x{Ko yIWk.x,Jj!iWE@`. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. You can obtain a test at many local health centers and pharmacies as well. The Morning Call. Why is Lehigh requiring a COVID booster shot for all eligible students, faculty, and staff? Contact your school or place of employment about specific COVID-19 guidelines before returning. Yes. To better support the health and safety of Lehigh faculty and staff as we return to campus, the University has partnered with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) for occupational health services and medical consultation for planning purposes. Filter changes will continue to follow ASHRAE guidelines. 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). Natural infection is much more likely to result in serious sickness or death, whereas a vaccine protects against serious illness or death from COVID-19 infection, he said. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. 4T@kR[4\P! LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. The federal COVID-19 response excludes up to 106 million workers from paid leave protections The end result is that a legislative package with the stated intent of protecting the physical and. %PDF-1.7 % 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. for lists of local testing resources. GO: The Campaign for LehighBe part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. There are . In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. Employee Health Services Hours and Locations . Weekly testing is required for those who are exempted. 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. 0 How is noncompliance with the booster requirement addressed? Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . We appreciate your patience. Inpatient Physiatry. 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. A video visit is also an option. Without speaking specifically about St. Lukes policy, Dr. John Zurlo, chief of infectious disease at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said there is no reason for anyone to defer getting vaccinated, even if they have natural immunity. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as an extension of the universitys COVID vaccination requirement for all eligible students, faculty and staff who did not receive an approved medical or religious exemption. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In both instances, arguments were made that plaintiffs should be exempt from mandates because they had already been infected with COVID-19. 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. Easterly said most employers at the moment arent allowing employees to defer vaccination because of natural immunity but the situation is developing and that could change. 23504 or Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org and notify her of your condition. Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, eating utensils, cups and towels. St. Lukes on Wednesday tightened its visitation policy, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases largely driven by the unvaccinated population (that) is placing an enormous burden on our regions health care system, according to Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, vice president of medical and academic affairs and chief emeritus of infectious diseases. We recognize this is a difficult time for faculty, staff and families. Notice: All Colleagues and Non-Employed LVHN Partners, including remote workers, will be required to be vaccinated after the first COVID-19 vaccine receives full FDA approval. Normal cleaning processes will resume. Sam Kennedy, spokesperson for St. Lukes, said the move to implement this exemption was made based on guidance from network infectious disease experts. Can a professor decide to make their class remote if they are concerned about positive cases in their class? 8. HUn8}WTI,m\B`AeDr}i;C M (qx33t|u/nn\,c3e0]uW}^O'WA\U Vaccination is the most effective way to protect our community and allow for a return to normal campus operations. 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. ReadLehigh's isolation and quarantine policy. For more information on these requirements and for additional health guidance, please visit our Vaccination Resources Center. Experiencing COVID-Like Symptoms Immediately notify your supervisor, department chair or PI, go home and self-isolate. Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. This position could last for up to 12 months or more and will provide an opportunity to train and highlight your skills working with multiple directors/general . What do I do? Your provider will let you know if the current state of your health calls for any additional considerations. "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 Brian A. Nester, DO,. See the. 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. 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. If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. People who should wait to get vaccinated - If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma while sick with COVID-19, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
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