UPDATED 7/7/22
Guidance for Staff and Patients Regarding Protocols for In-Person Therapy
Manhattan Psychology Group, PC (MPG) continues to monitor the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic and implements guidelines recommended by the NYC Health Department (DOHMH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In preparation of the ongoing operation of our offices, we have implemented the following guidelines to promote the wellness of our staff and patients.
Protocol Guidance for Staff and Patients
- MPG requires all in-office staff to be fully vaccinated, defined by two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
- MPG requires all in-person clients, who are 12 years and older, and any accompanying family members, caregivers, and/or client representatives to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to their first in-person appointment. Children ages 5-11 must be fully vaccinated by February 1, 2022.
- Staff vaccination verification is required and kept on record in a confidential file separate from a staff member’s employment file.
- Patient vaccination verification is required and kept with confidential patient records.
- MPG requires any accompanying family members, caregivers, and/or client representatives to present vaccination verification at the door prior to entering the office.
- Vaccination verification may include a picture or scanned image of a COVID-19 Vaccination Pass, COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, or an official record noting the staff member or patient has been vaccinated.
- We continue to request that you wear a mask while in common-spaces, such as the waiting room and hallways. Mask wearing within the therapy offices will be at the discretion of the therapist and patient.
- We have reopened our patient waiting area to caretakers while their child is in session.
- MPG staff are required to sanitize office furniture and equipment twice daily.
- Staff members are required to sign the Staff COVID-10 Acknowledgement of Risk and Consent Form.
- Patients or patient representatives are required to sign the Patient COVID-19 Acknowledgement of Risk and Consent Form.
We continue to prioritize health and safety so please stay home and switch to telehealth if you or anyone in your household are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, are asymptomatic but have tested positive for COVID-19, or are waiting on the result of a COVID-19 test Quarantine Guidance for Staff and Patients .
If a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19:
- they should contact our office immediately
- they will receive remote telehealth treatment until a negative PCR COVID-19 test result is verified by our office
If a patient is exposed to a provider who has COVID-19:
- patients will be notified via the email address on file
- patients will receive remote telehealth treatment until a negative PCR COVID-19 test result is presented by the provider and verified by our office
If a staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19:
- they must contact our office immediately and disclose the diagnosis to their immediate supervisor
- they will be unable to return to the office until a negative PCR COVID-19 test result is presented by the staff member and verified by our office
If a staff member is exposed to someone with COVID-19:
- they must quarantine if they were in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with the diagnosed individual ONLY IF they have symptoms since our staff is fully vaccinated.
- they must get PCR tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and continue to wear a mask per policy