Employee Health COVID-19 Testing, Monitoring and Clearance Process
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 or have had a high-risk exposure) or asymptomatic testing (for vaccinated individuals without smartphones) via EHS
- Mandatory testing, for people with vaccine exemptions
For answers to frequently asked questions about these testing programs, please click here.
Symptomatic Testing and Asymptomatic Testing via EHS
Updated: 3/7/2022
Employees who meet the following criteria must schedule a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test via Employee Health Services (EHS). Students who are symptomatic or have had a high-risk exposure should contact Student Health.
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An employee who screens positive for any COVID-19 symptom
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An employee who has had a high-risk workplace exposure which has been reported to EHS
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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
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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
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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.
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An employee is involved in a workplace contact tracing and Infection Prevention and/or EHS determines the employee exposure was high-risk
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An employee has had a high-risk community exposure that has been reported to EHS
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A household member was diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days OR
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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.
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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.
Note: 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.
Starting March 7th, employee PCR testing will be by appointment at all EHS locations during normal business hours and on Saturdays at MSH from 11:00am – 3:00pm. You may schedule an appointment for PCR testing here.
EHS Hours and Locations
Monday - Friday
MSB: 9:00am – 5:00pm at the MSB EHS Office
MSBI: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSBI EHS Office, room 4S12
MSH: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the GP Pavilion
MSM: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSM EHS Office, 1090 Amsterdam Av, Ste 3A
MSQ: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSQ EHS Office, 30-74 31st St., 3rd Floor
MSW: 8:00am – 4:00pm at the MSW EHS, 1st Floor, room 1A-69
42nd Street: 8:00am – 4:00pm at 150 E. 42nd St., 4th Floor
Saturday
MSH: 11:00am – 3:00pm at MSH, 3rd Floor Annenberg. Follow the signs for EHS.
Mount Sinai South Nassau employees should call 516-632-8445.
For additional testing, an employee or student should contact their provider or a Mount Sinai Ambulatory Testing Site. Fees may apply to see a provider; however, there should not be any out-of-pocket expenses for the cost of the COVID-19 PCR or Serum Antibody test.
COVID Testing FAQs for Employees and Students
Updated 1/6/22
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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 am symptomatic or had a high-risk exposure?
If you are symptomatic, you may not work or attend classes in person. It is important that you quarantine until yo their supervisor.
If you are asymptomatic and had a high-risk exposure, you should work and attend class. And you must do this:
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Perform SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing no sooner than 2 days after the exposure. If the result is negative, test again 5 days after the exposure.
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Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the exposure. If you develop symptoms, immediately notify your supervisor, leave the work or school setting, and contact EHS/Student Health for testing.
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Mask at all times and social distance when you are on site.