St. Joseph’s Offers Options: Vaccinate or Comply with Weekly Testing

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, St. Joseph’s Health has closely monitored trends – in the COVID-19 variants, treatment, testing, and vaccination. What we’ve witnessed – both in our region and throughout the state – is a steady surge, caused by the Delta variant, that experts agree will continue as we head into the fall and winter months. Throughout New Jersey, about 98 percent of new COVID infections are as a result of the Delta variant, with more than 1,100 COVID hospitalizations across the state. Thankfully, there is some good news: the vaccines are available, they are safe, and they are effective to prevent serious illness. 

As you are aware, St. Joseph’s has transitioned to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for all employees. As we have since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, St. Joseph’s will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on how to keep our patients and employees safe.  This guidance has continued to change and evolve as more information is learned about COVID and its variants.

Given recent federal and state regulations, we have decided to add an option of weekly COVID-19 testing for employees – no matter of exemption status. Please note, this option is likely to evolve over time, as we continue to monitor COVID activity and government regulations. We will make updates to this policy as the CDC and federal and state regulations change. Weekly reports will be provided to managers to monitor testing compliance and follow up. 

Exemptions Are Encouraged

For those employees who remain unvaccinated, we encourage you to submit a religious or medical exemption. All exemptions will be reviewed by separate panels. Both forms are located on Inside. Follow instructions on the forms for submission. Whether or not you are granted an exemption, weekly testing is required. 

Mandatory Education Sessions

Unvaccinated employees who have not requested or received an exemption will be required to attend an educational session on the COVID vaccine with members of our St. Joseph’s medical staff and administrative leadership. Information on the required education sessions for unvaccinated employees will be sent out in the coming days.

Please see the information below for specifics regarding proof of vaccination and testing.  

Proof of Vaccination

Employees who have not already done so, please send proof of vaccination from your location of choice (local pharmacy, etc.) to St. Joseph’s Employee Health at ehdocs@sjhmc.org. Only employees who receive the vaccine outside of St. Joseph’s Health need to submit proof for verification. Employees who have already received their vaccination do not need to submit further proof, as these vaccinations already have been verified in our system. 

When and Where to Get Tested

Employees must be tested weekly at St. Joseph’s Health either before or after their shift to meet the requirement. Testing must take place weekly, with at least five days in between each test. Testing will be conducted alphabetically at two St. Joseph’s sites. 

What do you need to do? Follow these three easy steps: 

1.     Print and complete the registration form below.  

2.     Bring your completed registration form, your employee identification badge, and your insurance card to one of the following locations for testing (although we will collect insurance information, you will not be billed for testing):

a.       St. Joseph’s University Medical Center: Getty Conference Room, Tuesday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

b.       St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center: Outdoor trailer, either walk-in or drive-thru, Tuesday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

c.       St. Joseph’s Healthcare & Rehab Center: Unvaccinated employees can go to either the Paterson or Wayne campus for weekly testing. 

3.       To accommodate all employees, testing days will correlate with the first letter of each employee’s last name, as follows:

·         A-G Tuesdays

·         H-N Wednesdays

·         0-S Thursdays

·         T-Z Fridays

Thank you for your support as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic together.