Forward 1 hour
Mar 14, 2021 – Daylight Saving Time Starts
When local standard time is about to reach
Sunday, March 14, 2021, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Sunday, March 14, 2021, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.
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COVID-19 Vaccine now available for staff providing direct care at CLBC funded homes
Hi all;
Here is the invitation to staff providing direct care to sign up for a vaccination.
Please read through the details below carefully to be sure you understand all the conditions.
Your paystub can serve as proof of your employment with Spectrum.
The appointments can begin to be booked at 3pm tomorrow, Friday, March 5, 2021.
We expect that we will receive a similar invitation soon from Fraser Health.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Re: First-dose COVID-19 vaccine now available for staff providing direct care at CLBC-funded group homes
Dear Community Living BC Service Providers,
Thank you for your patience as we continue to implement the provincial COVID-19 immunization program. Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to vaccinating those most at risk of severe illness safely and efficiently.
We are happy to advise that we’re now able to expand vaccination eligibility to staff at CLBC-funded group homes who provide direct patient or client care. Starting next week, we are inviting eligible staff from your group home to COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Please note: second doses will now be offered 16 weeks from the first dose based on provincial and national recommendations. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released details of their recommendation on this yesterday. Data from jurisdictions around the world shows that one dose of the vaccines provides a high level of protection, which lasts for many months. Administering first doses of vaccine to as many people as possible will protect the greatest number of people in the shortest timeframe. When it’s time to receive your second dose, your staff will be invited to receive it just as they were for their first. Staff should retain their paper record of immunization to bring back to the clinic with them at that time.
Eligibility requirements:
Appointments are available for nurses and community health workers (CHW) employed by your organization who provide direct, in-person, and hands-on care. This includes health care students.
At this time we are not offering vaccine to corporate, administrative, and other support staff who do not provide direct care. We are also not offering vaccine for family members of CLBC clients even if they live with or frequently visit their family member. If you book an appointment but are not eligible at this time, you will be turned away at the clinic.
Clinic details and booking links are below. Eligible staff should use the correct button to book appointments, marked as “Staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors.”
These appointments will be available for booking at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 5.
COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION CLINICS MAR. 8 – 12
VANCOUVER GENERAL HOSPITAL CAMPUS
Blusson Spinal Cord Centre, 818 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver
PROVIDENCE HEALTH CARE STAFF IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
1081 Burrard Street, Providence Level One, Conference Center
VCH TRAVEL CLINIC
Broadway Plaza, Lower Level, Unit L5
601 West Broadway
PHSA STAFF IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
BC Children’s and BC Women’s Health Center
Shaughnessy Auditorium
4500 Oak Street
RICHMOND HOSPITAL
5 North, 7000 Westminster Highway, Richmond
NORTH VANCOUVER TEST COLLECTION SITE
ICBC Capilano Claims Centre, 255 Lloyd Ave., North Vancouver
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Anyone booking or arriving who is not eligible will be turned away.
- If you contracted and recovered from COVID-19 more than three months ago, you may now attend a clinic for your first dose of vaccine.
- If you contracted and recovered from COVID-19 within the past three months, you are not eligible for vaccine at this time. You will be immunized at a later date.
- Please do not attend the clinic if you are feeling unwell, experiencing COVID-like symptoms, or if you have been asked by Public Health to self-isolate.
- Come alone, to assist with COVID-19 safety protocols. Physical distancing measures will be in place throughout, including while waiting in line.
- Bring your driver’s license (or another photo ID), Care Card, and Employee ID (if available) or a pay stub.
- Please come dressed for cold weather, as you may have to wait in line at the clinic.
- You will be provided with a medical mask and reminded to maintain physical distancing guidelines while at the clinic. After you receive your vaccination, please plan to stay on site for 15 minutes to ensure you experience no adverse effects, such as an allergic reaction.
Important reminder: Provincial orders and guidelines remain in place for everyone, even if you have received the vaccine
For more information and updates about COVID-19, your staff can go to vch.ca or immunizebc.ca and search “COVID-19”, or call the BC COVID Information Line at 1 (888) 268-4319 for non-medical questions or HealthLink BC at 811 to speak to a nurse.
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COVID-19 Updates – Feb 26, 2021 – Vaccination Updates
Three Vaccines Now Approved in CanadaThe COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by Health Canada are safe, effective and will save lives. To date, three vaccines have been approved for use by Health Canada.
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Ready for My Shot!
You can help our government clarify their priorities for vaccines by following some of the actions on the Ready for My Shot! Website:
What Can I Do?
- Visit the website ReadyForMyShot.ca.
- Sign up for email updates at readyformyshot.ca/email-sign-up.
- Share our campaign video.
- Follow us on Twitter: @ReadyForMyShot
- Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ReadyForMyShot/
- Share our social media content with your followers.
- Use the #ReadyForMyShot hashtag in your social media
The BC Government identifies priorities for people with disabilities in two ways:
- In Phase 2 – February and March – Vulnerable populations living and working in select congregated settings
- In Phase 3 – April through June – People who are clinically extremely vulnerable – and this detail in the description:
- Adults with very significant developmental disabilities that increase risk.
We think government could make this clearer. As Gary says: I’m ready for my shot!
Social Story about Getting A COVID-19 Vaccination:
Covid-19 is a disease caused by a virus that spreads easily and can make people very sick. The Covid-19 vaccine is a medicine that prevents you from getting Covid-19. Like most vaccines, the Covid-19 vaccine is given by shots using a needle. This social story can help you understand why it is important to get a Covid-19 vaccine and what you can expect.
Preparing to get a Vaccine and Informed Consent
The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has a webpage with detailed information on how consent can be provided for people who cannot give informed consent for a vaccine.
https://www.trustee.bc.ca/services/services-to-adults/Pages/InformedConsentandCOVID19Vaccine.aspx#Is
Informed Consent and the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Who has the legal authority to provide consent to the COVID-19 vaccine?
How does the PGT decide whether to provide consent to the COVID-19 vaccine?
Is there a prescribed consent form that must be signed?
Does consent to the COVID-19 vaccine expire after 21 days?
Can a physician provide consent on behalf of an adult?
Can a paid caregiver provide consent on behalf of an adult?
Let us know if you have any questions or need assistance.
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| Get free, virtual help with your taxes!
It’s been a challenging year, but we’re hoping we can make one thing easier – doing your taxes. It’s important to do your taxes on time, every year. Getting them done will make sure you continue to receive your entitled benefit and credit payments. Volunteers may be able to do your taxes for free through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). You could be eligible if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. This year, many community organizations are hosting free, virtual tax clinics where you can get tax help by videoconference, by phone or through a document drop-off arrangement. A list of tax clinics is posted on our website. They’re generally offered in March and April, with some even open year-round. You can also find a tax clinic with the free MyCRA web app when you select “Help with my taxes.” If you live in Quebec, you can get help through the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program, offered by Revenu Québec. How you can help Did you know the CVITP has been connecting volunteers from community organizations with people who need help filing their taxes for over 50 years? If your community organization would like to host a tax clinic or if you’d like to volunteer, go to canada.ca/taxes-volunteer to register online. |
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Stay connected To receive updates on what is new at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you can:
· Follow the CRA on Twitter – @CanRevAgency. · Follow the CRA on LinkedIn. · Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list. · Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader. · Watch our tax-related videos on YouTube. |
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It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home.
Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.
Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year? Now is a great time to order replacement items. Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.
Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home? Do you need more or less supplies?
Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?
If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.
It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored? Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.
(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)
When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.
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How to Register for First Aid:
We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.
To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242
- They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
- Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.
If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.
- If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
- Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.
*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.
First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:
For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.
Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.
Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org