EFFECTIVE 9/9/21 & UPDATED 11/19/21
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.
- Patients and staff are required to complete a health screening no more than 24 hours prior to all appointments or starts to work days.
- Masks are required in all common areas, including the waiting room. Masks may also be required in offices during sessions at the discretion of each staff member.
- Social distancing at 6-feet is required in all areas. The waiting room has been configured to maintain the 6-feet social distancing guideline. As such:
- Patients may only be accompanied by one other person.
- Patients may not arrive sooner than 5 minutes prior to your appointment.
- The health screening must be completed prior to patient arrival or upon arrival.
- Anyone accompanying a patient to an appointment may not remain in the waiting room during the duration of the appointment. Please return to the office no more than 5 minutes prior to the appointment end time.
- 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.
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