Instructions for New Employees & Affiliates

LHSC, Thames Valley Children's Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute & Volunteers

In order to fulfill the terms and conditions of your employment or volunteer offer, and to start work at London Health Sciences Centre, the following information must be provided to Occupational Health & Safety Services (OHSS) PRIOR to your start date.  New employees with outstanding health review requirements will have their start date delayed. 

Important Information about COVID-19 Vaccination:

LHSC requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of full vaccination to COVID-19 is a mandatory condition of employment. To be considered fully vaccinated, all new employees, affiliates, students and volunteers must submit proof of two doses of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination, with the second dose administered at least 14 days prior. 

LHSC Health Review Form

The form is provided in pdf fillable format. For best results open using Adobe Acrobat Reader.   The form can also be printed, completed and scanned into pdf format. 

How to Submit the Health Review Form:

All submissions must be in pdf or hard copy format.  Save and attach the completed and signed Health Review Form in pdf format.

OHSS does not accept pictures/images of your form or supporting documents.

The form can be submitted by 3 methods:

Email:            HealthReviews@lhsc.on.ca
Fax:               519-685-8374 Victoria Hospital
Fax:               519-663-3476 University Hospital
Drop Box:      Victoria Hospital Occupational Health & Safety Clinic E1-505
                      University Hospital Occupational Health & Safety Clinic A1-450

When to submit a Health Review Form:

New employees are required to submit their Health Review form to Occupational Health & Safety Services (OHSS) at least 6 days prior to their start date.  

Employees are advised to begin the process of acquiring any outstanding immunizations/tests of immunity by accessing their primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) or a community clinic as soon as possible when considering employment at LHSC as it may take up to 6 weeks to complete these requirements.  Employees who do not have a primary care provider can access immunization records from their local public health unit, college/university student health services, or previous employer. 

OHSS does not provide pre-employment vaccinations.   New employees who have questions about their health review requirements can reach out to Occupational Health & Safety Services: 

Victoria Hospital
519.685.8500 ext. 52286
HealthReviews@lhsc.on.ca

University Hospital
519.685.8500 ext. 33201
HealthReviews@lhsc.on.ca

What information is collected from the Health Review Form?

Health History

1. Health Conditions that may impact the employee while at work, such as allergies/sensitivities to latex, rubber, environmental allergies/irritants, medications and food; skin breakdown associated with personal protective equipment (PPE); chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, seizure disorder; or musculoskeletal/MSK disorders.
2. Limitations, restrictions or disabilities that may require an accommodation such as a visual or hearing impairment, physical impairment, or a learning disability.
3. N95 Fit Test that has been completed within the last two years is required for all employees who have patient contact. Proof of current N95 fit tests should be submitted to N95FitTesting@lhsc.on.ca. Please inquire with your leader if you are unsure if your role requires N95 Fit Testing. New staff who require an N95 Fit test can self-schedule a test through iLearn. More information is available at N95 Fit Testing  
4. Hearing test is required for new staff working in roles identified as having a noise hazard. Please refer to your hire letter or specific request from your leader. 

Immunization History

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: 

The following vaccinations are required for employment at LHSC. Proof of vaccinations must be submitted along with the Health Review Form unless signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.

TB Skin Test

Proof of a baseline two-step TB skin test is required. A two-step TB skin test is given as a series of two single TB skin tests given 1 to 4 weeks apart. The two-step process involves 4 visits to your health care provider as follows:

• Visit 1: Administration, or planting of first test 
• Visit 2: First test reading at 48-72 hours after the first test is administered
• Visit 3:  Administration, or planting of second test 
• Visit 4: Second  test reading at 48-72 hours after second test administered

Documentation of all steps is required, and the level of induration must be provided. 

If a two-step TB skin test was administered over 12 months ago, then proof of an additional one-step TB skin test administered in the last 12 months is required as well.

Important:

• A previous positive TB skin test precludes the need for any additional TB skin tests
• All new employees who have a positive TB skin test (current or in the past) require one Chest X-Ray following their positive TB skin test and must complete Section C: TB Questionnaire.
• To be considered valid, a TB skin test must be read 48-72 hours after being planted indicating the level of induration and be administered and read by a trained health care professional. 
• A TB skin test can be administered on the same day as a live vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, or herpes zoster), but otherwise cannot be administered until 4 weeks after.
• BCG vaccination is not a contraindication to a TB skin test and does not preclude the requirement for TB skin testing.
• An Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) is not a substitute for a TB skin test for occupational health purposes (OHA Guidelines, 2018). 

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required on or after the first birthday and at least 4 weeks apart, or two doses of measles and mumps vaccine plus one dose of a rubella vaccine if provided separately, or a copy of blood work (serology) demonstrating immunity.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Two doses of varicella vaccine are required given at least 4 weeks apart, or a copy of blood work demonstrating immunity.

A self-reported history of chickenpox or shingles (herpes zoster) is not sufficient to demonstrate immunity.

COVID-19 Vaccine: 

LHSC requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of full vaccination to COVID-19 is a mandatory condition of employment. To be considered fully vaccinated, all new employees, affiliates, students and volunteers must submit proof of two doses of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccination, with the second dose administered at least 14 days prior. There are currently no restrictions on timing with other vaccinations   A booster dose is recommended but not mandatory at this time.  However, booster dose status is a factor in determining isolation periods for COVID-19 exposures. 

RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS:

Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for employees who have the potential for exposure to blood and/or body fluids, including those at risk for sharps injuries. A full series consists of 3 vaccinations in adulthood or two vaccinations provided in adolescence. Evidence of immunity after receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine series should be determined prior to employment to guide post-exposure actions taken by OHSS.

Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)

A one-time adult dose with a pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap) is recommended, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine was received. A record of your most recent Td vaccine is helpful in the event that you are injured at work, however, this is also not mandatory. 

Influenza (Flu)

Annual vaccination for influenza is highly recommended for all employees. OHSS provides influenza vaccine every fall to all LHSC staff and qualifying affiliates onsite. 

ROLE-SPECIFIC VACCINES:

Meningococcal Vaccine The quadrivalent meningococcal A,C,Y,W-135 conjugate vaccine or 4CMenB vaccine or both are recommended for laboratory personnel who may be routinely exposed to preparations of cultures of N. meningitidis (i.e. some microbiology MLTs). Refer to your hire letter or specific instructions from your leader