On this page you will find important information for Learners and what to expect prior to, and during, a rotation or placement.
NYGH’s COVID-19 Immunization Policy requires every learner, physician, staff and volunteer to be fully vaccinated (2 weeks post second dose) except for those who have an approved medical or Ontario Human Rights Code exemption. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be documented at the school.
Approved school exemptions must be submitted to NYGH for review & approval prior to commencing with a placement/rotation. If you have an approved school exemption, contact cfe@nygh.on.ca or 416-756-6929 to inquire about our process for review and potential approval. Please note this process may take several days.
Prior to your first day/shift:
COVID SCREEN as part of your registration on our Nirv registration system
- Have you travelled outside of the Canada in the last 14 days?
- Have you been in close contact without proper PPE with someone who is confirmed/ diagnosed with COVID-19, outside of work? This does not include those that are awaiting swab results.
- Have you been diagnosed with COVID yourself and are still isolating or still have symptoms?
- Are you currently awaiting results of a COVID test?
- Have you been in a facility with an outbreak of COVID in the past 14 days?
If you answer yes to any one of the 5 questions, please contact both Centre for Education and Occupational Health for instructions prior to coming to the Hospital.
Centre for Education: 416-756-6929 or cfe@nygh.on.ca
Occupational Health: 416-416-756-6403 or occhealth@nygh.on.ca
There are only three entrances into the Hospital:
- South Lobby entrance
- Staff/physicians/learners can use this entrance 24/7.
- This is the only entrance for patients and visitors
- Cafeteria entrance (beside the Baruch/Weisz Outpatient Clinic doors) - East entrance by the patio (you will need your NYGH ID badge to use this entrance)
- West side entrance (faces Leslie Street) – you will need your NYGH ID badge to use this entrance.
At the entrance:
We have self-screening along with surgical mask dispensers inside each of hospital’s three staff entrances (South and West lobbies and cafeteria entrance).
It is up to each person to confirm that they have completed screening by tapping their ID badge before they enter the hospital or after they have read screening questions at the card reader located inside. This means team members will tap in when entering the hospital, and tap out when they leave the building after work. Tapping in and out also allows us to account for everyone in the building in the event of an emergency or critical incident.
Self-serve mask dispenser
The mask dispensers, located at each designated staff entrance will enable team members to go through screening quickly, on their own. Team members will take one (1) mask from the dispenser after completing the self-screening questions.
Please read the steps of this process (in bold) carefully and follow them each time you come to work:
- Tap in using your hospital ID badge before you enter the doors to the hospital or after you have received your mask (inside the hospital). Badge readers are now located on the exterior side of all staff entrances as well as inside, next to our newly installed mask dispensers.
- Sanitize your hands.
- Self-screen for COVID-19 by reading the list of symptoms and other screening questions. Proceed if you do not have any COVID symptoms. If you answered “yes” to any screening question(s), please go directly to Occupational Health or fill out the online COVID-19 staff surveillance screening tool on eric.
- Take one (1) surgical mask from the mask-dispenser unit.
- Make your way to your unit/department.
- When you leave the building to go home, please tap out using your hospital badge at the card reader located at the staff exits.
A reminder to keep your badge with you at all times on site.
Those providing direct patient care who require an N95 mask will continue to receive their two (2) fit tested masks when they arrive at their unit. Those who do not provide direct care with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients will continue to wear one surgical mask while on site. These updated procedures are consistent with Ontario’s Directive 5.
This self-directed process will ensure everyone working, volunteering and learning at NYGH actively participates in screening, while enabling us to account for everyone in the building, which is an important part of safety and security at work.
Screening prior to coming to the Hospital
As per hospital screening policy, everyone will be screened for symptoms/exposure to COVID. If you answer yes to any of the below, please contact us at cfe@nygh.on.ca and Occupational Health Department at occhealth@nygh.on.ca for further instruction.
Symptoms include:
- New onset of fever, chills or shakes
- New or worsening cough
- New or worsening shortness of breath
- New or worsening runny nose
- New or worsening sore throat
- Nausea, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea
- Loss of taste or smell
- Symptoms such as unexplained malaise, difficulty swallowing
Travel:
- Travel outside of Canada within last 14 days. If yes, when travel occurred, date of return and places visited.
Contact
- Close contact without proper PPE with someone who is confirmed/diagnosed with COVID-19 outside of work (persons under investigations/awaiting swab results are not included).
- Instructed by a Public Health Agency to self-isolate due to contact with someone who is sick.
If you have any symptoms identified in section above, have a positive test or an exposure please do not come in, email us at cfe@nygh.on.ca and follow these steps:
- Complete the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool. You will need your NYGH login to do this. If you do not have an NYGH login, email occhealth@nygh.on.ca with your reason for contacting them and await their response.
When to complete the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool
You should use this self-reporting tool if:
- You have one or more typical or atypical COVID symptoms.
- You have had contact with someone who is COVID positive/has COVID symptoms OR have had an unprotected exposure.
- You have returned from international travel.
- You are reporting a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) or a positive PCR COVID test result.
Please bookmark the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool. You can also find the tool on our internal website (eric) - nygh.on.ca - by clicking on “For staff” at the bottom of the landing page and then clicking on “Staff COVID-19 Screening Tool”. A link is also available on the eric homepage.
Tip: you will need to copy down the steps carefully at the end of the tool to ensure you have completed all the steps for return to work as quickly as possible.
Once all steps have been completed, staff, physicians and learners are to complete the Return to Work Tool (see below). The criteria to receive Return to Work clearance has been expanded to include instances where team members experienced discrete or prolonged exposure.
- Get a COVID test (if directed to do so by Occupational Health via email or through instructions generated upon completion of the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool).
- If instructed, please come to the NYGH Team and Family Testing clinic (Tent outside of the Emergency Department) for the following tests:
- A self-administered PCR tests
- Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) (**NOTE: team members should only collect a RAT if instructed by Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness after completing the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool.**)
- The NYGH Team and Family Testing Clinic is open between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. No appointment is required for NYGH staff/physicians/learners.
- Testing instruction resources:
- Step-by-step instructions on how to collect your own COVID-19 sample
- How-to video
- Accessing COVID-19 PCR test results
- You will need this information to complete the return to work (RTW) clearance tool
- How to access your testing results
- Complete “Return to Work” tool for clearance to start or come back to work
- Once you have completed all the required steps you were directed to do in the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool, complete the Return to Work (RTW) tool using this link.
- Once completed, the RTW tool will inform you if you are cleared or not to return to work and any additional instructions required. ** Please remember to copy the message with the instructions for future reference.
- Prior to arrival, you will be required to complete an eModule on Use of PPE. You may also be required to attend an in-person training session on Use of PPE on your first day or you may be provided with in-person training by your clinical instructor or preceptor.
- You will receive N95 mask and a visor in the patient care area prior to your first patient contact. The N95 mask and visor are then to be worn the entire day or until you need to remove them to eat/drink. You will receive 2 N95 masks (one for the 1st half and one for the second half of the day) and only 1 visor for use for the entire shift. All in-person patient encounters must be with an N95 mask and visor.
- All necessary PPE will be provided by the hospital or placement location. You are not allowed to wear your own PPE.
- Everyone must wear their hospital acquired procedural mask at all times while in hospital. Mask can be removed following strict physical distancing protocol (2 metres away from others) in designated eating and drinking spaces. No food or drink allowed in patient care areas.
- Follow proper care and placement of your facial PPE (mask/visor) as per standard signage in various units/areas of the hospital.
- Perform proper hand hygiene prior to and after putting on your mask/visor to your face.
- Follow proper donning and doffing of your PPE. Gowns and gloves will be available in patient care areas. When donning and doffing for the first time in the clinical setting, ask your preceptor to supervise you and provide feedback.
- Soiled gowns and gloves should be place in designated hampers/containers inside/outside the patient’s room.
- N95 mask fit testing is a requirement for all learners. Your mask fit should cover the entire length of your placement. If you have been mask fitted for a mask that NYGH does not have in stock or you require a mask fit please contact the Centre for Education as soon as possible so we can arrange an appointment for you.
Learner Restrictions in Patient Care
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
- Only learners that are approved by their academic institution and program are able to care for patients that are confirmed COVID+. All learners are able to care for patients that are COVID recovered.
- All other learners will not provide direct patient care to patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID
Patients under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19
- There are no restrictions for any learners to provide direct patient care to PUI for COVID (including undifferentiated patients with various symptoms such as fever, cough and/or respiratory distress)
Aerosolizing Generating Medical Procedures (AGMP’s)
- Only the following learners may participate in AGMP's under direct supervision of a physician and depending on competence and level of training: Postgraduate learners (medical residents and fellows), Respiratory Therapy Students, and licensed learners such as NP students, RNs in a specialty program (i.e. critical care certificate), or RPNs in a bridging program (i.e. RPN to RN). Medical students in an anesthesia rotation can also participate in AGMPs as deemed appropriate by their preceptor/supervisor.
Physical Distancing
Everyone is expected to maintain physical distancing at least 2 meters where possible. As this is not always possible during the course of clinical duties, performing frequent hand hygiene and disinfecting high touch points can help further reduce the spread of infection.
Eating & Drinking
- You may remove your mask/visor following the hospital protocol
- It is essential to maintain social distancing of 2 meters when your mask is removed
- Unit lounges are often crowded, cafeteria and other common spaces are good options for breaks
- There are signs indicated maximum number of people allowed in any lounge space. This is for everyone’s safety. Please adhere to this requirement.
Library
- The library is available with limited capacity for use by learners on a first-come-first served basis
- The library is open via badge access 24/7.
- Limited number of computers with PowerChart access are available
- Masks and social distancing are required
- No food or drink is allowed
- The space is intended only for quiet independent time (no group work, no dictations etc.)
- You will need to wipe down the area before and after you use it.
What happens if the unit I am assigned to goes into outbreak?
You will be notified if a unit has an outbreak of COVID. Please follow instructions at that time including getting tested for COVID. Please follow further instructions from Occupational Health regarding return to placement/rotation.
What if I feel unsafe during an activity while on placement?
You will not be expected to participate in any activity that you feel unsafe to do while on placement. If at any time you feel unsafe during an activity, please notify your preceptor &/or your immediate supervisor.
If you are feeling unwell while at the hospital
- You should cease patient care, notify your preceptor and leave the premises as soon as possible. If you are experiencing any of the screening criteria symptoms, you should complete the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool and follow the generated instructions. If you do not have an NYGH login, email occhealth@nygh.on.ca with your symptoms and await their response before coming back to work. If directed to complete the Return to Work (RTW) tool use this link.
- If you are experiencing shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, go to the emergency department. You must notify Occupational Health at occhealth@nygh.on.ca and the Centre for Education at cfe@nygh.on.ca at your earliest opportunity when able.
- If instructed to go for COVID testing, please come to the NYGH Team and Family Testing clinic (Tent outside of the Emergency Department) for the following tests:
- A self-administered PCR tests
- Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) (**NOTE: team members should only collect a RAT if instructed by Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness after completing the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool.**)
- The NYGH Team and Family Testing Clinic is open between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. No appointment is required for NYGH staff/physicians/learners.
What should I do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?
- If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should seek appropriate medical attention and follow provincial guidelines regarding self-isolation. You should report this to Occupational Health by completing the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool and following the generated instructions. You should also notify the Centre for Education. You cannot return to the clinical environment until cleared by Occupational Health. When ready to return to work, complete the Return to Work (RTW) tool using this link to gain clearance or further instructions. ** Please remember to copy the message with the instructions for future reference.
What if someone I live with has symptoms of COVID-19?
If you or anyone else in your household has COVID symptoms, you can complete the COVID-19 Staff Surveillance Tool and follow the generated instructions. You should not come into the hospital unless directed to do so by occupational health or by the instructions generated by the tool.
What if I have a health condition that I feel requires workplace accommodation?
Please let us know if you have a health condition that requires accommodation. We will work with you and our occupational health team to make the necessary accommodations.
Virtual Care
- As part of your rotation/placement you may be participating in virtual care under the supervision of your NYGH preceptor
- This virtual care will typically be provided at the clinical site (hospital or office); In some circumstances and with the approval of the preceptor, the virtual care may be provided from your home
Guidelines for using Technology Responsibly
- Only use corporate remote access tools on a secure home (or office) computer or personal computing device, in which should have up-to-date cybersecurity protection - anti-virus, antimalware solutions etc.
- You are prohibited to use the corporate remote access tools on an internet kiosk or public personal computer or computing device
- You should comply with the hospital Password Policy at all time
- You should ensure you have all remote access tools before start Work-From-Home
- Information Services will not provide support
- You shall not setup auto-forward hospital email and office phone to an external account or phone.
- You understand the legal responsibilities associated with the use of remote access and that you are accountable for all work done under your username
- if you have any reason to believe that your access codes or devices have been compromised or stolen, you will immediately contact Information Services Helpdesk
- Position electronic devices for privacy protection so personal health or confidential information cannot be viewed by others
- Log off electronic devices when unattended
What resources are available for me to learn about how to provide virtual care?
- Follow Provincial guidelines such as for physical distancing and wearing a mask. For an up to date list of guidelines including how to protect yourself and others visit the public resources page on the Public Health Ontario website. You can also use this link: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus
- If you get/have been exposed to a COVID-19 outbreak area or an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not come in and notify occupational health and the Centre for Education.
Can I travel during weekends, holidays or during other periods of time-off?
You may travel, but are discouraged from travelling out-of-country, as this would necessitate a 14-day quarantine period upon return.
Can I see my friends and family?
Students must comply with the recommendations outlined by Public Health Ontario. This document indicates that visiting friends is an activity that is to be limited to those within your “bubble”.
How can I keep my family and home safe?
- Visit the Public Health Ontario website for information on keeping yourself and others safe. You can also access through this link: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus
What should I do if I live with someone who is immunocompromised?
Depending on the circumstances, one consideration would be to develop a plan of how to isolate yourself from that individual or organizing an alternative living arrangement for the length of your training.
Can I work at another job while attending placement?
Yes, there are no restrictions about working elsewhere unless your work area has had an outbreak. If this is the case, contact the Centre for Education and Occupational Health for assessment and instructions.
Can I continue to work in a hospital, long term care facility while on placement here?
At present there are no restrictions about working elsewhere while you are on placement here.
Please Note: If you have worked in a Long Term Care Facility or in an environment with an outbreak in the last 14 days, you will not be permitted entry into the Hospital. Please contact our Occupational Health Department for next steps. They can also be reached at 416-756-6403.
Can I travel during weekends, holidays or during other periods of time-off?
You may travel, but are prohibited from travelling out-of-country, as this would necessitate a 14-day quarantine period upon return.
Can I ride the TTC?
Yes. At the time of development of this FAQ, the Toronto Transit Commission has announced that, effective July 2, masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC. Please stay up to date on the TTC’s safety measures by visiting their webpage regularly.
- You can access a list of psychosocial support resources that are available at NYGH under quick links on eric (NYGH’s intranet). You can also click on this link.
- You can also access the NYGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Information on this resource and how to access it is available on eric under the Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness section or through this direct link. Here is some information:
For confidential one-on-one support:
Call: 1.855.573.0056
TDD: 1.877.373.4763
Online: www.guidanceresources.com
Hospital Web ID: COMPSYCH1