[The following memo was shared in an email from B.J. Moore with all IS & RESO caregivers on Friday, Sept. 10.]
IS & RESO caregivers working across Providence’s family of organizations,
As one of the nation’s largest health systems, Providence and its family of organizations must lead by example to protect our caregivers, patients, and communities. I want to make sure you have seen vaccine requirements included in recent system-wide and regional communications. These requirements align to the rapidly-evolving state-level policies, as well as our thorough and thoughtful Mission- and safety-focused discernment.
The fast-approaching vaccination or exemption deadlines (except for caregivers in Montana and Texas), apply to all caregivers, regardless of role (ministry-based/patient-facing or back office/administrative).
Questions regarding vaccine mandates? Access our state-by-state FAQs.
| State | Vaccination deadline* | Exemption dead- line |
| Alaska | Monday, Oct. 4 | Monday, Oct. 18 |
| Washington | Monday, Oct. 4 | Monday, Oct. 18 |
| Oregon | Monday, Oct. 4 | Monday, Oct. 18 |
| California | Thursday, Sept. 30 | Thursday, Sept. 30 |
| New Mexico_ | Friday, Aug. 27 (first shot) | Sunday, Sept. 26 |
| Montana | Determining Federal/state guidance impacts | |
| Texas | Determining Federal/state guidance impacts |
* Unless otherwise noted, this is the last day a caregiver can receive dose #2 of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, in order to be considered fully vaccinated by the exemption deadline.
Those not fully vaccinated or have submitted requests for medical or religious exemptions must complete a training.
- Today (Friday, September 9, 2021), those not fully vaccinated or who have requested exemptions will be invited to complete an eLearning course, titled “COVID-19 Vaccination Information for Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Caregivers” via HealthStream. These caregivers will have two weeks to complete the education.
- Review “Mandatory COVID-19 vaccine course available Friday” for more details.
We have resources for caregivers hesitant about receiving vaccination or core leaders trying to address caregiver concerns.
IS & RESO leadership join clinical leadership across Providence’s family of organizations in urging you to get vaccinated, but know the single most influential factor will often be a strong recommendation from a medical professional. Our Physician Enterprise group has created a toolkit for core leaders and coworker/caregivers to share when trying to have crucial conversations about the smart choice to get vaccinated. It’s also helpful for anyone still “on the fence,” but facing the deadlines above.
- See our physicians’ “COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Supporting Crucial Conversations” toolkit for helpful information.
Finally, ensure your vaccination records are in the VAV Tool to ensure the required documentation is in the system.
You can check to ensure your vaccination or system-approved exemption is recorded using the VAV Tools.
- Vaccinations – Access the Vaccination Status Tool to verify your vaccination is recorded or to upload your vaccination documentation.
- Exemptions – Access the Vaccine Exemption Tool to submit an exemption or to check your exemption status.
Questions?
Please use our IS & RESO Open Forum Yammer group to share your questions not answered in the resources we’ve shared here, and we’ll make sure that our HR leadership, Caregiver Health, or Infection Prevention teams weigh in with answers.
Please continue to monitor system newsletters and email communication as the guidance continues to evolve around how we will take action after the stated deadlines, but want you to be prepared. Thank you for all you are doing to support our collective Mission through this continuing pandemic challenge.
-BJ
B.J. Moore
Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Information Services and Real Estate Strategy & Operations (IS & RESO)