During your internship

• The representative from the Prevention and Health Promotion Department will let you know that a test is required and will tell you how to proceed. 
• You must communicate your test result to the Prevention and Health Promotion Department once you have it. You will be asked to comply with certain recommendations.  
• The AATRD will be informed of your COVID-19 test result and the duration of your isolation period, if required. 

If the COVID-19 test is positive: 

• Currently, the isolation period for healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19 varies based on their workplace and the severity of their symptoms. The Prevention and Health Promotion Department will notify you of the duration of your isolation. 
• If you test positive with an at-home rapid test, you are asked to call the COVID hotline and to go to a testing centre for a PCR test. 

Your internship coordinator or supervisor must provide the Infection Prevention and Control team with the following information:

• Facility 
• Care unit
• Days present leading up to the diagnosis  

* The requested information must be sent to:  pci.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

• Start by notifying the internship supervisor or preceptor at the facility where you are doing your internship as well as the coordinator/ or contact person at your educational institution.
• Stay home and call the COVID hotline: 514 457-8439 (Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm) — have your health insurance card ready.
• A representative from the Prevention and Health Promotion Department will guide you.

• Start by notifying the internship supervisor or preceptor at the facility where you are doing your internship as well as the coordinator/ or contact person at your educational institution.
• Stay home and email the Health Office (Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 4:30 pm) at: preventionssmet.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
• A representative from the Prevention and Health Promotion Department will guide you.

* Please mention if you or a loved one has travelled to an at-risk country (Ebola, hemorrhagic fever).

We ask that you fully comply with the public health guidelines in effect:

• Practice hand hygiene
• Respect the 2-metre physical distancing measures
• Don a mask upon entering a facility
• Wear your uniform inside the facilities only 
• Mask 

Procedure mask

Masking is mandatory in all facilities, including the psychiatry and birthing units, and in all common areas, i.e., any shared space (offices, break rooms, locker rooms, etc.). 

N-95 mask

A fit test is required. The program coordinator from your educational institution or the university teaching team will contact you to let you know about the schedule for Mask Fit testing in our facilities. Wearing an N95 is mandatory when treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and on units that are under high surveillance or on which there is an outbreak.

Shared office

Masks must be worn by anyone sharing an office in which they cannot maintain a 2-metre distance or in which there are no physical barriers.

Cafeteria and meals

Masks can of course be removed when eating, but must be put back on immediately after. It is important to remember that cafeterias should only be used to eat. It is forbidden to use them for teaching activities, for example. 

Locker rooms

Masks must be worn at all times in the locker rooms.

Exposure to a setting in which there is an outbreak or considered high-risk 

If you have been exposed to a setting in which there is an outbreak, follow the guidance provided by the site where you are doing your internship.

An assessment could result in additional preventive measures, including preventive isolation or suspension of the internship.

COVID-19 symptoms can be mild and flu-like. They can also be more severe and akin to pneumonia and pulmonary disorders.
*Reminder – If you have symptoms: Stay home and call the COVID hotline

Most common symptoms: 

• Onset or worsening dry cough;
• Fever (Adults 38 °C (100.4 °F) and higher | oral);
• Difficulty breathing or a sudden loss of smell and/or taste without nasal congestion.

Other possible symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Mucus (phlegm) production
• Fatigue

In hospital settings, pathogens can spread between patients and healthcare personnel. To break the chain of transmission, one of the solutions is to vaccinate all staff members. Vaccinating healthcare workers could protect them against diseases and help prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings as well as help maintain service capacity.  

COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the most effective way for healthcare workers to protect themselves. (INSPQ, 2021).  

Ministerial decree 1718-2022, dated November 9, 2022, deals with the easing of certain measures intended to protect the population within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this decree, certain measures are no longer in effect as of November 9, 2022, including: 

• Mandatory vaccination for health and social service workers 
• Mandatory testing for health and social service workers who are not fully protected 

*This designation includes interns.

The CIUSSS requires each intern to have an immunization record that is complete and up to date prior to starting their internship. Vaccination against hepatitis and annual vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 are strongly recommended.

Updating of the Immunization Record

Interns who need to update their immunization record can use the Clic Santé platform to schedule an appointment. 

Using the Clic Santé platform

1. Select a category: Vaccination
2. Select a subcategory: Adult vaccination 
3. Enter your home or workplace postal code depending on the area where you would like to make an appointment.  
4. From the list of available locations in the chosen area, select a place that offers vaccines for interns, healthcare professionals or that updates immunization records.

NOTE: Services are free or paid and interns can make an appointment on Clic Santé by choosing from the available timeslots.