Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has stated that, unlike vaccinations, employers cannot mandate antibody tests because they are not reliable. If you received a medical or religious exemption from COVID vaccination, you are not required to get a booster shot and do not need to take any further action. Yes. The Supreme Court ruling limits the power of the federal government to mandate that large employers take certain measures, such as requiring vaccinations, but does not preclude or limit employers from instituting such measures. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health site or Lehighs HWC site for lists of local testing resources. 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. Check with your local vaccine provider for their processes and requirements. If you have any additional questions, call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about speaking to a provider virtually. \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 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. 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. However, if they choose to share this with you, treat this as confidential information and follow up with Christine Wolfe or Human Resources to make sure the information and all services are being extended. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u \@[gp7~Ijm]@.LHW@s;>\Cb+n2ift3tK[-gOGFJ*E=-5ZrrAxQ!5o95=-B ! .~ 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. 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. 4T@kR[4\P! Employee Health Services Hours and Locations . 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. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. endstream endobj 390 0 obj <>/Metadata 34 0 R/Outlines 95 0 R/Pages 387 0 R/StructTreeRoot 102 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 391 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 392 0 obj <>stream 0 Noncompliance with the booster requirement for students will result in. Our journalism needs your support. Directions to our locations; 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. However, Bidens orders have faced significant opposition by Republicans in both the judicial and legislative branches of government. If the percentage of students in isolation for COVID in a class (section) is greater than 30%, the instructor can move to remote instruction until students return from isolation. 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). If you seek a test with an independent testing site, you will also need to contact the Bailey Health Center if you test positive for COVID-19. The remaining employees received either permanent medical or religious exemptions or temporary exemptions due to having natural immunity after contracting COVID-19. Will Lehigh's vaccine and booster requirements remain in place following the US Supreme Court's OSHA ruling? 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. 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. 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. "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. If you have any questions on your system or space please contact your building manager to review. Are there any additional sick leave accommodations provided for staff? LVHN was the last to release its vaccination statistics, giving unionized employees until Nov. 30. Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. The Employee Health Nurse Care Manager will need to clear you for return to work and will facilitate appropriate contact tracing. The new location is inside the Coordinated Health-Hazle Township facility at 26 Station Circle, Hazle Township. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. ]oeaf4{hM>,O G!&B{] Additional information will be published on our website. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. 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. Vaccine providers may not require you to show your vaccination card to get a booster or may be able to provide you with separate documentation that you received a booster. Click here.). She 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. In addition, LVHN produced the following video that introduces you to the care team behind the partnership and shares additional information about when and how to obtain services from Lehigh's employee health nurse case manager. 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. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. 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. Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. 86N{L.=8kZ'=Bj,+=L`+zA ^,`5$gx;v4Osxc? z> 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. Who should faculty and staff contact for questions regarding updating vaccination status or submitting a request for an exemption from the vaccination requirement? . 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. What is the difference between isolation and quarantine? 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. If the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. Faculty and staff must continue to monitor personal health for symptoms and risk of exposure. 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. If the 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. Read more on the CDC website. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, whether you are unvaccinated or vaccinated--follow the establishedprotocols, including contacting your medical provider to be tested, staying home andaway from others to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, and following any isolation protocols should you test positive for COVID. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. St. Boosters are a necessary component of our health and safety protocols to support a successful semester on campus, including in-person instruction and activities. 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. But some medical research shows that natural immunity may offer some benefits vaccines dont. There are limitations, though. Faculty and staff noncompliance will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. "It's not FDA-approved, it's. In mid-November, following a slew of lawsuits a judge in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Bidens mandate for employees at large companies. 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. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, Downs said. Approximately 7.6 million Pennsylvanians 59% of the states population are fully vaccinated, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recently corrected the data to weed out duplicate reports. 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. Low-cost health insurance for employees CME reimbursement and time outside of normal PTO to take classes, attend conferences etc. If I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? >, believe they have symptoms in line with COVID-19, occupational health services partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), the CDC about how to "Isolate If You Are Sick,", Annual Security & Annual Fire Safety Report. 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. At-home antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, and, in many cases, are covered by insurance. Ensure a good airflow in your home, which can be done by just opening a window. The health network. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. 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, notify your supervisor or department chair of your absence, and notify Lehigh by contacting the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe,RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. The percent of fresh air will be adjusted to as high as possible based on outdoor temperatures, humidity, and the capacity of the unit to heat/cool the desired percent of fresh air. Can faculty or staff request information from students about their vaccination status? For more information, visit the Human Resources website. O'Donnell doesn't agree with the area's major hospitals - LVHN, St. Lukes and Good Shepherd- which are mandating all their employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. For more information on Lehighs COVID-19 related health services partnership with LVHN, follow this link. 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. Studies have shown that vaccination is effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID, but vaccination protection against the virus and variants. Quarantine: separates and restricts the movements of those who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick. 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. Supervisors are expected to address these issues with their direct reports. In July, LVHN was the only regional health network to become part of the Pfizer booster shot trial, again, leading the way in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Click here.). Available research appears to show that those who have natural immunity and get their shots are better off than those who rely on natural immunity alone. But not all infectious disease experts agree on this. International students who cannot get boosted where they are located should schedule a booster as soon as they return to the United States. The clinic is open 8 . For insurance purposes, it may be important to obtain a test in your county of residence or via your primary healthcare provider. hUmOP+fq& -VMU2 There are no laws governing this kind of exemption like there are for medical or religious exemptions, he said. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. Lastly, because new medical research has yet to be evaluated or peer-reviewed, it should not be used to guide clinical practice, according to medRxiv, the preprint server the study was posted on. 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. LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. How do faculty and staff submit their vaccination and booster documentation? 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. Out of a workforce approximately 20,000 strong, 97% are fully vaccinated. Mar 18, 2020 at 8:00 am. Miller is among about 75 LVHN employees, patients and community members who consented to participate in the Phase 3 trial for the . Will the university share who is vaccinated and unvaccinated? 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. Example: restricting and isolating to a room separated from others in the household. 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. Position: LVHN is seeking an Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant (Physician Assistant )<br>Orthopedics opening in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.<p>This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. We have prepared guidance on what to do if you are feeling sick and suspect you have COVID-19. Send a secure message to the Health and Wellness Center through the Patient Portal and they will be able to log your individual situation and advise on any further questions about your vaccination/booster schedule. We are the region's largest employer and the health care provider of choice for more people in the region. All members of the community are encouraged to treat one another with respect. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What do I do? I lost my vaccine card. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Latest Updates . If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Caitlin Leidy at crl215@lehigh.edu or Patricia Florkowski at pjg209@lehigh.edu. Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Can we keep it if it makes us feel more comfortable? Do I need to show a negative COVID test to end isolation? 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. 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. Full information about Lehigh's partnership with LVHN for COVID-19 related employee health services can be found here. While no vaccine provides a guarantee against infection, COVID vaccination and the booster are effective at preventing serious illness and death and continue to be the best protection against the spread of new and more contagious variants of the virus. img + .header { margin-top: 1rem; } If a student volunteers such information, faculty must not ask about the reasons why a student is or is not vaccinated. 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. 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. Faculty/staff- Follow the advice of your primary care physician and notify the university's LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager, Christine Wolfe, RN, at Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org or 610-861-8080 ext. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. When in doubt about when you are able to end isolation, always follow the guidance provided by the HWC (for students) or Lehighs LVHN occupational health nurse (for faculty and staff). 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. In both instances, arguments were made that plaintiffs should be exempt from mandates because they had already been infected with COVID-19. Already a print subscriber? Contact your primary care physician and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. 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. 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. The . No. This is truly an extraordinary time to join the Lehigh Valley Health Network. 23504. Yes. The university will not share confidential health information. 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.