Resources for Incoming Trainees

All interns, residents and clinical fellows in both accredited and non-accredited training programs are required to attend a day-long, hospital orientation.

• MGH Intern Orientation: June 14, 2023
• MGH Resident and Clinical Fellow Orientation: June 30, 2023 and July 3, 2023 
• MGH Intern, Resident and Clinical Fellow Orientation: July 31, 2023 

*Orientation will take place via Zoom from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. ET.

Prior to an incoming MGH resident or fellow’s training start date, they must:

1. Complete and return paperwork sent by their program coordinator
2. Obtain a Medical Record Number
3. Complete a pre-placement health screening and Occupational Health Service (OHS) Medical Clearance visit

Health screening information

A Credentialing Packet is mailed to each incoming resident or fellow. Incoming residents and fellows should return all required paperwork using the pink envelope provided. The deadline for returning this information is specified by each trainee’s program coordinator.

All incoming residents and fellows must obtain a Medical Record Number (MRN) prior to making an appointment or visiting OHS for a screening. To obtain a MRN, please call 866-211-6588.

The OHS visit includes a health screening and TB testing.

• Some programs, usually those whose fellows cannot attend orientation, arrange an OHS session for their trainees. All other trainees should contact Occupational Health at 617-726-2240 (Omayra Balestier) to make an appointment prior to Orientation Day.
  
  
• MGH Occupational Health is located at 165 Charles River Plaza, 4th floor, Suite 404, Boston. If you would like to provide any information via FAX, you can do so by sending it to 617-643-4633.

Occupational Health Services require proof of immunization and a respirator questionnaire to be completed. Please see below for what you need to bring to your OHS visit:

• Respirator Questionnaire
  At the time of your OHS visit if all requirements have been met, your program manager will receive a "2022-23 Health Clearance sticker" for your ID badge. This indicates that staff rotating to other institutions meet OHS Clearance Requirements at BWH, MGH, DFCI, BI, CHMC, MEE, NWH, NSMC, SRH, and BMC.
  
  
• Tuberculosis Screening and Chest X-Rays
  One of the following is required:
  • Documentation of 2 step TB testing: Step 1 within 1 year of screening date and Step 2 within 3 months of screening date OR documentation of a negative IGRA (QFT or TSpot) within 3 months of screening date.

*For individuals known to be TB skin test positive or who have a history of a positive IGRA test, documentation of a chest x-ray report which rules out active tuberculosis is required.     

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Immunity Required
  One of the following is required:
  • Documentation of two measles vaccines, two mumps vaccine, and one rubella vaccine OR documentation of two MMR vaccines, OR Proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella by titer (blood test).
     
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
  For individuals who may be exposed to blood or body fluids during their experience at MGH:
  • Documentation of the hepatitis B series and Positive antibody test for hepatitis B
  • MGH will provide this vaccine free of charge to individuals who may be exposed to blood or body fluid during their work.
     
• Chicken Pox 
  One of the following is recommended:
  • Documentation of 2 doses of Varicella vaccine OR Proof of immunity to Varicella by titer (blood test)
     
• Tetanus 
  All staff should have documentation of up-to-date tetanus vaccine (Tdap or Td).
  
  
• Influenza
  MGH requires all healthcare workers receive seasonal flu vaccine or have an approved exemption (for those with a medical contraindication to the vaccine or those who hold deeply help religious beliefs against the vaccine)
  
  
• N-95 Respirator
  All clinicians who will care for patients in negative pressure isolation rooms are required to have annual fit-testing for the N-95 respirator. Please send documentation of your most recent fit-test (to include the brand of respirator and size)
  
  
• Color Vision
  All clinicians who perform point of care testing are required to have a documented color vision exam. Please send documentation if you have had this exam previously (if not, we will perform the exam at your Occupational health visit)
  

MGH requires completion of online training modules for all incoming employees. These can be found at Mass General Brigham HealthStream. In order to access the modules on this site, a trainee must have a hospital login which will be provided by the training program coordinator.

• Photo ID submission guidelines
• Interactive respirator and medical eval questionnaire 
• Respirator fit testing
• Onboarding stakeholders contact information
• MGH PC Orientation meeting materials (login required)
• MGH I-9 processing (completed in person with a Human Resources representative)

All interns, residents and clinical fellows in both accredited and non-accredited training programs are required to attend the hospital orientation.

• BWH Interns ACLS/BLS: June 12-15, 2023
• BWH Intern Orientation: June 16, 2023
• BWH Resident and Clinical Fellow Orientation: June 30, 2023 and July 3, 2023 
• BWH Intern, Resident and Clinical Fellow Orientation: July 31, 2023

 *Orientation will take place via Zoom from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. ET.

Participants will be assigned to one 2-hour session.

Participant’s skills session date and time will be assigned based on the program the individual is joining (e.g., Specialties, Medicine). The time frame, course location and all instructions will be emailed to the individual by the CNE 4 weeks prior to the class.

ACLS and BLS class is a blended learning experience:

• Part 1: HealthStream: HeartCode BLS and/or HeartCode ACLS
• Part 2: Attended return demonstration Skills Session
  • The HeartCode course in HealthStream (Part 1) is assigned by HR and must be completed prior to the Skills session (Part 2)

To complete the online course (minimum time):

• BLS – 2 hours
• ACLS – 4 hours

Participants MUST bring online certificates of completion with them the day of the class. If taking both BLS and ACLS – these are (2) separate courses so participants will need a certificate for each course. NO certificate of completion – NO skills session.

All incoming Residents/Fellows must submit documentation to meet the infection control requirements of BWH and receive Occupational Health Service (OHS) Medical Clearance on or by the start date of employment. 

Interns/residents (June start date): Please submit your records by April 14, 2023, to BWHOCCHealthResidentScreening@partners.org. Submitted documentation will be reviewed. You will be notified when you have satisfied the OHS Health Screening Requirements.

Residents/clinical fellows: Please submit your records by May 5, 2023, to BWHOCCHealthResidentScreening@partners.org. Submitted documentation will be reviewed and you will be emailed notification of your OHS Medical Clearance.

Many trainees can complete screening without an appointment, providing the Health Screening Forms are fully completed and submitted prior to the deadlines. 

Required documentation forms

Please submit the forms listed below to OHS prior to your health screening visit or the due dates specified above. 

• 2023 Mass General Brigham New Hire Immunization Requirements
  • Identify and record your answer on the lines provided
• Interactive Occupational Health New Hire Questionnaire
  • Please answer each question    
• Interactive Respirator & Medical Eval Questionnaire
  • Answer all questions for safe use of a N95 mask at BWH.
  • Provide an explanation of any positive answers on the Questionnaire at the bottom of the page, column 2.
  • Submit to: BWHOCCHealthResidentScreening@partners.org
  • FIT Testing is completed by Environmental Affairs. Contact your program manager for more information.

COVID-19 information

Completion of the initial COVID-19 vaccination or series AND a booster is required. Any WHO approved vaccination(s) are accepted for the original vaccination(s). Only Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson preparations are accepted as the booster dose. These requirements must be completed prior to the start date or coming to campus. Medical and Religious exemptions must be approved prior to the start date or coming to campus. As the information received is fluid, COVID-19 updates and requirements may change, please watch for updates.

Rotating trainees (new and returning)

When all OHS requirements have been met, Trainees rotating to one of the institutions listed below may receive a “2023-2024 Health Clearance sticker” for your ID badge. This indicates that staff rotating to other institutions meet OHS Clearance Requirements at the below institutions.

• All Mass General Brigham affiliates: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, Mass General, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital, McLean, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Mass Eye and Ear
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Beth Israel Lahey Health
• Tufts Medical Center
• Boston Medical Center
• Boston Children’s Hospital

New Trainees who have cleared the OHS requirements and Returning Residents and Fellows needing a Rotator Sticker may contact the BWH OHS clinic at 617-732-6034 - Option 5. Leave a message with your name and call back number. Please indicated that you need a Rotating Sticker. An OHS staff member will check your record and return your call within 2 business days.

If you have any additional questions, please call 617-732-6034 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or email BWHOCCHealthResidentScreening@partners.org.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What Tuberculosis Testing will BWH accept?
A: Either a 2 Step TB skin test or an IGRA (QFT or T-Spot) blood test is accepted. The IGRA must be within 3 months of the date of screening. The 2-step TB skin testing is documentation of 2 negative TB tests within the year prior to your start date. The second TB test needs to be within 3 months of start date or at the start/screening date and at least 7 days after the first test.

Q: My school/hospital will only do one TB test per year so how can I meet the requirement?
A: If you are not able to complete 2-step testing prior to your arrival, a TST will be done at your BWH OHS visit. 

BWH requires completion of online training modules for all incoming employees. These can be found at BWH HealthStream. To access the modules on this site, a trainee must have a hospital login which will be provided by the training program coordinator.

The fingerprint sessions should be considered cancelled until further notice.

We essentially will be using some of the information obtained from the VA Resident/Clinical Fellow application to determine interim suitability. We have communicated with the VA Credentialing staff to forward the information VA Security will need, once it is received from the Residents/Fellows.

Further questions regarding the VA credentialing point of contacts can be directed to VA Education Specialist Nancy.Caruso2@va.gov.

Photo ID submission guidelines

Given the uncertainty of COVID-19, BWH is offering options to provide your own photo for your ID. Badges will be distributed by each program; trainees will not pick up their badge from the ID office. View the BWH photo ID guidelines

Respirator fit testing

Please reserve an appointment, get dates for Orientation Day Fit Testing Sessions, and find a list of N95 respirator models we provide here at BWH with instructions on how to submit documentation for your current (within one year) fit test. View respirator fit testing information

Other documents

• BWH I-9 processing
• Onboarding stakeholders contact information
• BWH PC Orientation meeting materials (login required)

Note: Pre-employment drug testing has been temporarily suspended until further notice