Caregiver Resources
This webpage is just for CMH caregivers. It's a place where we can share information and resources to to help us care for our community, while keeping ourselves and others safe and managing some of the disruption that may be happening in our personal lives.
Masks/face coverings continue to be required at CMH for patients, caregivers and any visitors until notified otherwise.
Regular EOC updates
See the latest COVID-19 caregiver updates from CMH.
Employee health and vaccination
Employee Health: 503.338.4632 or ext. 71701
Employee Health RN on-call: 971.601.0412
If you are sick
- Call your supervisor or manager. You will be asked to report your symptoms and when they started.
- You must call the Employee Health nurse between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (971.601.0412) if you have any of these symptoms.
- Employee Health will tell you when you are clear to return to work.
- Please let your manager know when you've been cleared to return to work.
If you think you've been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person
If you learn that you've been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, follow the steps below. Being exposed means that you were within 6 feet of the person for 15 minutes or more, and you were unmasked.
- Do not report to work. Call your supervisor or manager immediately.
- Call Employee Health between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (971.601.0412) for further evaluation.
These are the algorithms Employee Health uses to decide when caregivers are safe to return to work:
- CMH Exposure Control Plan (12/20/21)
- CMH Guidance for COVID+ Individuals and Exposures (01/24/2022)
A: If you've had any COVID-19 symptoms, you have to be fever-free (less than 100F) for more than 24 hours, have significant improvement of symptoms and have a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to work.
A: This will vary, depending on your vaccination status. You must contact Employee Health. To keep your friends and family safe, we recommend you follow the CDC's quarantine guidelines.
A: If you feel like you've been exposed at work, contact your manager. Infection Prevention will do an investigation to see if you meet exposure criteria. If it's been determined that you have been exposed, Human Resources will contact you. Each employee will be evaluated to determine whether work restriction is required.
HR and operations
Operational changes
- Interpretation: At this time, CMH has decided to suspend all in-person interpretation. We will continue to use remote video interpreting when translation needs arise. Please remember to remind each other of this when scheduling appointments.
- Central Supply: Central Supply has made several changes to maintain accurate inventory counts, to keep PPE secure, to reduce potential risks of incoming goods and to maintain social distancing. Read more.
- Some clinics and services have suspended operations or changed their hours. Check the the clinic/service webpage for hours.
- Dock time questions answered (current as of 04/10/20).
- Changes to HSAs/FSAs Due to CARES Act (current as of 04/16/20).
A: Dock is a term CMH utilizes when our scheduled caregivers are asked not to work or are sent home because of low patient census or a lack of work. Caregivers on dock are not expected to remain available to CMH. Dock time is unpaid time, however, that dock time will count as hours worked for purposes of benefit eligibility, seniority, and Earned Leave accrual. Dock time is entered in UKG, and caregivers may utilize available Earned Leave in lieu of unpaid time if they so choose.
A: Yes, as long as the loss of coverage is within 30 days, and you have proof of the loss. CMH has also been asked to remind our caregivers if you have had a change in your employment, you may qualify for health coverage through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). OHP is our state's Medicaid program, offering free health care to anyone who qualifies. Eligibility for the OHP is based on monthly income and other requirements. That means you may qualify for OHP now, even if you have been denied in the past. The best way to see if you qualify is to apply. Visit OHP.Oregon.gov for more information.
A: We will ask that you discuss your options with Payroll. There are some deductions that you have the option to repay or will need to pay the vendor directly as we do not pay on your behalf. Please refer your questions to payroll@columbiamemorial.org.
A: Be sure to call Human Resources at 503.338.4073 or email HRDept@columbiamemorial.org.
A: No. The ADA does not require that an employer accommodate an employee without a disability based on the disability-related needs of a family member or other person with whom he/she is associated.
A:
- During the majority of 2020, CMH has allowed our caregivers to donate earned leave (EL) to other caregivers for any reason. This will continue into 2021 and until further notice. You can find the donated leave form by clicking on the attachments in Leave Policy 8650-700.
- The CMH COVID Financial Support Program provides financial assistance to our caregivers impacted by this pandemic, even if they have not missed any work time.
Additional resources
Required training
All CMH caregivers must complete OSHA-required safety training for COVID-19. Check your LMS for a list of the training modules you must complete. These are the current modules:
- All caregivers should complete the COVID-19 Basic Training module on LMS.
- Caregivers with exposure risk will also need to complete an Advanced COVID-19 Training.
PPE instructions and information
- CMH Exposure Control Plan
- Universal Masking
- Protecting Self
- CMH's PPE Algorithm (09/09/2021)
- Isolation Precautions (Reviewed 2020)
- Eyewear Flyer (09/09/2021)
- CMH Instructions on Masking During COVID-19 (Updated 5/5/2020)
- CMH Policy: Reuse and Extended Use of PPE (Updated 3/23/2021)
- CDC Video: Donning and Doffing PPE (look at the bottom of the page)
- PPE PAPR DON
- PPE PAPR DOFF
- PPE N95 DON
- PPE N95 DOFF
- Masking
- Masking During COVID (Reviewed 03/23/2021)
- Outpatient Care COVID Guidelines (Updated 03/23/2021)
- CDC Factsheet: Facemask Do’s and Don’ts (Updated 08/21/2020)
- CDC Proper Fit
- CMH Video: Improving the Fit
- Respirators
- CMH Video: Setting up PAPR Versa Flow
- CMH Video: Cleaning the PAPR Versa Flow
- CDC Factsheet: Performing a seal check on your N95 respirator mask
- CDC Factsheet: Respirator On/Respirator Off (Updated 08/21/20)
- Eyewear
- Eyewear Flyer (09/09/2021)
- Face Shields and Goggles Flyer (08/05/20)
Clinical care algorithms
- CMH Exposure Control Plan
- Algorithms included on CMHtv Infection Prevention page:
- Surgical Services
- Outpatient Care
- Housewide
- Family Birth Center
Forms for patients being tested for COVID-19
Please ask each patient being tested for COVID-19 (or their guardian) to fill out this form:
- REALD Form for Self (Spanish version).
- REALD Form for Child, to be Filled by Parent/Guardian (Spanish version).
Nasopharyngeal swab collection
Source: CDC
Supplies:
- Sterile Dacron/nylon swab.
- Viral transport media tube (should contain 1-3 ML of sterile viral transport medium).
Procedure:
- Lower patient’s mask below nose only.
- Ensure staff performing procedure are wearing basic face mask and eyewear.
- Tilt patient’s head back 70 degrees.
- Insert swab into nostril. (Swab should reach depth equal to distance from nostrils to outer opening of the ear.) Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
- Slowly remove swab while rotating it. (Swab both nostrils with same swab.)
- Place tip of swab into sterile viral transport media tube and snap/cut off the applicator stick
Vaccinations for CMH caregivers
Contact Employee Health to get vaccinated or receive a vaccine booster.
We have tremendous confidence in the vaccines' efficacy and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. According to a new State of Oregon rule, all health care workers must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021, unless they have an approved religious or medical exception.
Updates
- COVID-19 Testing Facilities and Vaccination Sites in Clatsop County (06/10/2021).
- COVID-19 Alternative Testing and Vaccination Sites in Clatsop County – Store Pharmacies (06/10/2021).
mRNA vaccines and vaccine development
- CDC Fact Sheet: Learn About the New mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines.
- CDC: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines.
- FDA: Vaccine Development 101.
Lead the way
Emotional support
We hear you! Thank you for allowing our clinical social work team to support you all during this very challenging time. We appreciate the work every CMH caregiver does to support our community, and we want to continue to help support you. Our social workers are great listeners and often have good resource suggestions!
Call us seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 971.286.0084.
- CMH's Coping with COVID-19 Crisis Support Program (updated 12/10/2020).
- Emotional Support Resources for CMH Caregivers.
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 from the CDC.
- Breathing Practice Video from Julia Mabry, Staff Yoga Instructor.
- Body Scan Video from Julia Mabry, Staff Yoga Instructor.
Food
- Need food now? Here are lists of food bank locations and days and hours of operation in Clatsop County and in Pacific County.
Do you need financial assistance?
The COVID-19 Caregiver Support fund helps employees experiencing a personal financial crisis who have exhausted all other avenues of assistance. Read More.
Financial support
- Apply for the CMH Foundation COVID-19 Caregiver Fund.
- Clatsop Community Action offers connections to assistance with food, housing and utilities.
- Donated Leave Form.
Babysitting or child care
If you're looking for child care in Clatsop County, the NW Regional Child Care Resource and Referral program has compiled a list of early learning programs in the county.
The Oregon Department of Education's early learning website has information about health and safety guidelines for childcare providers and resources for people looking for child care.
The county has arranged child care specifically for health care workers, first responders and other essential workers. This can be for regular child care needs or it can be emergent, day-to-day needs that come up. They have asked that people let them know of any potential for emergent need, so they can be ready if needed.
- Little Sprouts (Astoria): Infant/toddler and school aged children $$ Available for a cost, wait list 503.325.8669, info@astoriaparks.com.
- Warrior Care/Warrenton Prep (Warrenton): Children must be potty trained $$ Available for a cost, wait list 503.861.2281.
- Seaside School District (Seaside): Children ages 6-12 years old No Cost – available free sspalding@seasidek12.org.
- Learning Ladder Sunset Empire (Seaside): Infant to preschool aged children $$ Available for a cost 503.738.3311 ext. 125.
If you're still looking for child care options, you can also call 211 as a resource. Please remember, child care facilities are currently legally required to prioritize essential health care workers.
- Call: 211 or 866.698.6155, and listen for the child care prompt.
- Text: keyword "children" or "ninos" to 898211 (TXT211).
- Email: children@211info.org.
Help paying for child care
If you're looking for help paying for child care, you may qualify for Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) subsidies from the State of Oregon. The State of Oregon has expanded eligibility and removed copay requirements for Employment Related Day Care (EDRC), which helps families pay for child care while they're working. Review the revised eligibility and application information to see if you qualify and how to apply.
You may also find some relief with one of these family support programs.
Phone resources
- Oregon Information Hotline: 211; 24/7.
- Washington Information Hotline: 800.525.0127, press #; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
- Clatsop County Public Health Information Line: 503.325.8500 ext. 4921 (English); 503.325.8500, ext. 4925 (Spanish); Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
- Pacific County Emergency Operations Center Call Center: 360.875.9407 or 360.642.9407; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.