Employee Health COVID-19 Testing and Clearance Information
Mount Sinai Health System offers a variety of free COVID-19 PCR testing programs for employees through Employee Health Services (EHS). Please select the program that is appropriate for your situation.
- Symptomatic testing (if you have symptoms of COVID-19) or asymptomatic testing (if you have had a high-risk exposure or wish to know your current infection status) in EHS
- Mandatory testing, for people with vaccine exemptions
For answers to frequently asked questions about these testing programs, please click here.
Who Should Test
Updated: 3/17/2023
Employees who meet the following criteria must test for COVID-19:
- An employee who screens positive for any COVID-19 symptom
- An employee who has had a high-risk workplace exposure which has been reported to EHS
- The employee was not wearing a surgical mask and was within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes of a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, co-worker, or visitor.
or - The employee was not wearing both a surgical mask and appropriate eye protection, and the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient/co-worker/visitor was not wearing a face covering.
or - The employee was not wearing the recommended full PPE (N-95 respirator, eye protection, gown, and gloves) while involved in an aerosol-generating procedure with a laboratory-confirmed patient.
- The employee was not wearing a surgical mask and was within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes of a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient, co-worker, or visitor.
- An employee is involved in a workplace contact tracing and Infection Prevention and/or EHS determines the employee exposure was high-risk
- An employee has had a high-risk community exposure that has been reported to EHS
- A household member was diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days
or - A close contact in the community with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 (e.g., less than 6 feet for 10 minutes or more) in the last 14 days.
- A household member was diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Employees who are demonstrating the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) students who are symptomatic or have had a high-risk exposure are advised to contact Student Health.
EHS also offers SARS-CoV-2 PCR saliva tests to asymptomatic employees, faculty members, trainees, and students who have not developed COVID-19 symptoms nor had a high-risk exposure (as defined above). Each person may test up to twice a month; if the result is positive, they must wait at least 30 days before testing again.
Testing
Updated: 3/17/2023
Employees may test for COVID-19 either with Employee Health Services (EHS), a local lab, or at a doctor’s office. Fees or co-pays may apply to see a provider.
Employee PCR testing is available by walk-in and appointment at all EHS locations during normal business hours. You may schedule an appointment for PCR testing here.
Note: COVID-19 PCR testing through EHS is performed on saliva samples. Therefore, if testing in EHS, do not drink, eat, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes before saliva collection. Do not use mouthwash or brush teeth 2 hours before saliva collection.
EHS Testing Hours and Locations
Monday - Friday
MSB: 9:00am – 4:00pm at the MSB EHS Office
MSBI: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSBI EHS Office, Room 4S12
MSH: 8:00am – 4:00pm at 19 East 98th Sreet, Suite 2D, 2nd Floor and 1468 Madison Avenue, Annenberg Building, 3rd Floor
MSM: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSM EHS Office, 1090 Amsterdam Avenue, Ste 3A
MSQ: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSQ EHS Office, 25-10 30th Avenue, 5th Floor
MSW: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSW EHS, 1st Floor, Room 1A-69
42nd Street: 8:00am – 4:00pm at 150 East 42nd Street, 4th Floor
Mount Sinai South Nassau employees should call 516-632-8445.
COVID-19 Positive Test Follow-Up & Clearance
Updated: 3/17/2023
Employees who test positive must immediately isolate and complete the EHS COVID-19-Like Illness Registry in REDCap. An EHS provider will then follow up with clearance instructions depending on your specific situation.
Per current guidelines, you will need to isolate for at least 5 days. To qualify for COVID sick pay, the COVID-19 positive test report -- either a PCR test (preferred) or Antigen test -- must contain a minimum of two personal identifiers such as your name and date of birth.
Employees are advised to immediately follow up with their provider to discuss eligibility for treatment with medications, such as Paxlovid.
COVID Testing FAQs for Employees and Students
Updated 3/17/2023
- Where can I get tested for COVID-19 when I return from travel?
Fully vaccinated health care workers do not need a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test to return to work after travel. Mount Sinai faculty and staff members, students, and trainees who wish to be tested should use the asymptomatic testing program. You can also find testing sites through the NYS testing site locator.
- Can I go to a Mount Sinai emergency room for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing?
The Mount Sinai emergency rooms should not be the primary source of testing for asymptomatic employees. Please see above for testing locations.
- Can I work/attend classes while I am waiting for my test results if I had a high-risk exposure?
If you had a high-risk exposure and are now having symptoms of COVID-19, you may not work or attend classes in person while you wait for test results. It is important that you immediately:
- Inform your supervisor
- Complete the EHS COVID-19-Like Illness Registry in REDCap
- Isolate
If you test negative for COVID-19, call EHS at 212-844-1100 for guidance and assessment on whether you may return to class or work given your current symptoms.
If you test positive, refer to the Covid-19 Positive Test Follow-Up & Clearance section above for information on next steps.
If you had a high-risk exposure and are asymptomatic, you may work and attend class. You must also:
- Wear a mask at all times when you are on site, social distance, and monitor for symptoms for 10 days after the exposure.
- Test on days 1, 3, and 5 (with last day of exposure considered as Day 0).
- If you develop symptoms, immediately notify your supervisor, leave the work or school setting, complete the EHS COVID-19-Like Illness Registry in REDCap, and contact EHS/Student Health for testing.