Information on the Mandatory COVID-19 Testing Program

Starting the week of Monday, September 27, 2021, all Mount Sinai Health System staff, faculty, students, and trainees who have been granted a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination, or whose exemption request is pending, must be tested weekly for infection with SARS-CoV-2 as a condition of continued employment or matriculation. This page contains information, frequently asked questions, and documents related to this program.

EHS Mandatory Testing Kit Pick-Up and Drop-Off Hours

Hours for test kit pickup and dropoff at Employee Health Services (EHS) offices around the Health System are as follows:

	Monday,	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
MSB	8am - 4pm	8am - 5pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 12pm
MSBI	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm
MSM	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 2:30pm
MSW	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 3:45pm	8am - 2:30pm
MSQ	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 3pm
MSH	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm	8am - 4pm
42nd	8am - 5pm	8am - 5pm	8am - 5pm	8am - 5pm	8am - 4pm

EHS Site	Testing Location
42nd	150 East 42nd St. 4th Floor
MSB	1350 East 32 street, Brooklyn
MSBI/NYEE	281 1st Avenue, Silver Building - Suite 4S12
MSH	19 E 98th Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 2D
MSM	1090 Amsterdam Ave Suite 3A
MSQ	30-74 31st Street, 3FL
MSW	1000 10th Ave. Room 1A-69

Frequently Asked Questions About Mandatory Testing

Below you will find the latest answers to many frequently asked questions about the testing program.

Who has to get tested?

Starting the week of September 27, 2021, Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) employees (including hospital staff and faculty members), students and trainees with:

An approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate determined by the MSHS Exemption Committee

A pending request for an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate submitted in accordance with MSHS policy

Do I need to enroll in the testing program?

All employees with approved or pending exemptions must complete the Informed Consent for COVID-19 Saliva Testing by October 1, 2021 and return it to their line manager. Upon completion of this form no additional enrollment is required.

How often do I need to be tested?

If you have an approved or pending exemption to the vaccine mandate, you are required to get tested weekly for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a condition of continued employment or matriculation.

How will I be scheduled for testing?

You are responsible for self-scheduling your weekly tests. EHS will have test kits available for you to pick up and return with your saliva specimen. Testing kits can be picked up and dropped off at your local EHS office during EHS hours of operation.

Do I need to test on the same day every week?

The testing week is defined as Sunday through Saturday, and testing through EHS must be completed:

At least 3 days apart (e.g. if test is on Friday, the next test cannot be before Monday)

AND

No more than 8 days apart (e.g. if test is on a Monday, the next test must be on or before Tuesday of the following week.)

What happens if I am out sick or on PTO for the entire week?

If you are on an authorized leave of absence for the entire work week (e.g., vacation, sick leave, jury duty, bereavement leave), you are not required to undergo testing for that week. It is your responsibility to notify both EHS and your line manager that you will be out of the office for the entire week.

How long do I have to complete my test upon return from PTO/authorized leave that extends beyond an entire work week?

If you miss a week of testing because of extended leave, you are required to submit a test within two business days of your return.

If I had COVID-19 recently, should I still get tested?

If you received a conditional medical exemption due to a recent COVID-19 infection, you do not have to undergo weekly testing.

If you are newly diagnosed with COVID-19 and have a positive PCR test positive through the testing program, EHS will provide guidance on the appropriate testing protocol.

What if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of PCR test results, you MUST contact your supervisor immediately and leave the workplace. Additionally, you MUST report the symptoms to EHS through the EHS COVID Illness Redcap tool. To access the tool click EHS tool or scan this QR code. You may not return to work onsite until you are cleared by EHS.

If you are undergoing weekly testing, and test positive for COVID-19, weekly testing will be suspended for up to 90 days from the date that you tested positive. Do not report to work if you test positive, and contact EHS to determine duration of isolation. EHS will notify you and your line manager when testing must be restarted.

If I work remotely and have an exemption, do I have to be tested?

Employees who work remotely only need to be tested on weeks that they are working onsite. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify EHS when they are working remotely.

What happens if I work in a small physician practice or other location that does not have a testing site?

If you work outside of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens at MSHS medical office locations, EHS will coordinate with practice leadership for weekly specimen collection at your work location.

If I work nights and/or weekends, can I pick up testing kits and drop off my specimen during my shift?

It is your responsibility to contact EHS if you will not be on site during EHS hours of operations. EHS will work with you to make sure you are compliant with the weekly testing requirements.

If I work at multiple sites, where do I go to be tested?

You can pick up your testing kit and drop off your specimen at any MSHS EHS location during regular EHS business hours.

What happens if I miss my weekly test?

If you miss your weekly test and/or do not submit a specimen within eight days of your last test, your supervisor and Human Resources will be notified; you will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

How does the testing process work?

A home collection PCR Saliva test is used for the weekly testing program that you complete on your own time.

You will receive a home saliva testing kit from EHS each time you drop off your current week’s specimen. The following week, you will prepare your saliva specimen no more than 12 hours prior to dropping it off at an EHS site, with tests at least 3 days apart but no more than 8 days apart.

Can I eat or drink before taking the test?

You cannot eat or drink anything other than water, smoke, or chew gum for at least 30 minutes before you provide the saliva sample for your test. You cannot brush your teeth or use mouthwash for at least 2 hours before you provide the saliva sample for your test.

If you have eaten, drunk, brushed/washed, chewed gum, or smoked more recently than the recommended time, you will need to wait until enough time has passed to complete the test.

How will I get my results?

Results are typically available 24 to 36 hours after samples are dropped off at EHS. Negative test results will be sent to MyChart for you to view; a member of the EHS team will call you if your test results are positive.

What happens if my PCR test results are positive?

EHS will contact you if your PCR results are positive. You will need to immediately leave work (if you are contacted during your work shift) and self-isolate for 10 days. During this time you will have to use accumulated PTO or other leave time if available as appropriate. You may work remotely if previously approved by your manager. You may not return to work onsite until you are cleared by EHS. Weekly testing will be suspended for up to 90 days.

At least 3 days apart (e.g. if test is on Friday, the next test cannot be before Monday)

AND

No more than 7 days apart (e.g. if test is on a Monday, the next test must be on or before Monday of the following week.)

If I get tested outside of EHS how do I report the results?

You are required to upload a copy of the test results into the Mandatory Testing REDCap tool within 24 hours of your receiving the results.