[Important Information for Employees] Spring Term Pooled Surveillance Testing Program – Call for Volunteers

[Administration & Finance]

SENT ON BEHALF OF CATHLEEN ELDRIDGE, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH and
SAFETY

Colleagues,

We’ve been asked to do many things over the past ten months that we never
would have expected nor thought ourselves capable of achieving. But we have
all risen to the challenges of the pandemic, taken measures to keep
ourselves and our community safe.  We’ve learned that we can adapt to
changing regulations and guidance, even if that change is required daily,
with patience and civility.  And with that in mind, we once again ask you
to adapt to changes in our pooled surveillance testing program.

Coordination

Environmental Health and Safety has assumed coordination of the pooled
testing program for the Spring term.  The Student Health Center did a
tremendous job overseeing the program this Fall and we are grateful for
their service to the campus community. We are confident that Environmental
Health and Safety, under Cathleen Eldridge’s leadership, will only improve
upon their excellent work.

Frequency

Starting the week of February 15th, we will begin testing all employees and
students weekly. This requires us to operate the on-campus pooled testing
program five days a week from 9:00 am - noon, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm. Please
visit our Pooled Surveillance Testing page
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/covid-19/covid-19-testing.html> to learn more
about who is expected to attend.

Operating the testing program five days a week is not possible without the
support of campus volunteers. The goal is to have committed individuals for
each position and eliminate the need for constant signups. If you are
interested in volunteering this semester, even if you have previously
volunteered, please continue on to learn more about the updated
opportunities available.

What Is Expected of Volunteers?

Volunteers will be expected to volunteer from 8:30 am - noon, 12:45pm - 4pm
once a week, on the same day every week through the end of the Spring Term.
When they are unable to attend their scheduled shift, they must coordinate
with Cathleen Eldridge after consulting with surge team members to fill
their slot.  They will also receive training and whenever possible, cross
training on other roles. Active volunteers also meet the requirements of 1a
eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Who Is Eligible to Volunteer?

All full-time employees are eligible to volunteer.  That means all
full-time CSEA, UUP teaching and professional staff, as well as management
confidential.  You can also volunteer if you are in a permanent position, a
term appointment, or a temporary position.

What Volunteer Roles are Needed?

Roles are divided into two areas: The Entry Side, or “front of the
house”, where people enter, screen, and check-in for testing; and the
Testing Side, or “back of the house” where the test is distributed,
self-administered, and pooled.  Surge volunteers are also needed to perform
these roles when a regularly scheduled volunteer is unable to attend. This
group must have the most flexibility with their time. Volunteers are needed
for the roles listed below:

ENTRY SIDE (FRONT OF THE HOUSE) ROLES

Greeter 1 - first point of contact for entry side. Asks wellness questions,
reminds people to be registered, complete screening, and what
identification and password they will need. Directs ill students to the
Student Health Center.  Sends those needing technical assistance to the
tech tables.

Tech Assistants 1 and 2 - assist with any technical difficulties, dispenses
Chromebooks and prepares people for checking in.

Rover 1 - acts as supervisor of Entry Side, provides bathroom breaks and
anything else needed.

TESTING SIDE (BACK OF THE HOUSE) ROLES

Greeter 2 - first point of contact for the testing side. Guides people to
available tables.

Attendants 1 - (six total) verifies testing kit number, and provides kit
and completed label to Attendant 2

Attendants 2 - (six total) applies label to test kit. Explains and monitors
a person's self-administration of the test. Seals and prepares samples.

Pooler - retrieves sealed samples and combines 12 tubes into larger pooling
tubes.

Rover 2 - acts as supervisor, provides bathroom breaks, assists with
pooling, disinfects and returns Chromebooks to the Entry Side and anything
else needed on the Testing Side.

Ordering - Orders test kits and other supplies upon notification.

Packager – Ensures the proper preparation and packaging of all test samples
for shipment to Upstate Medical. Waits for FedEx/UPS to arrive and take
shipment (4:00 – 5:30 PM).

All volunteers assist with cleaning and stocking at the beginning and end
of their shift.

How do I Volunteer?

Complete the Testing Site Volunteer Form
<https://forms.gle/Kg51Mitfi8aB1dHD6> to share your availability to
volunteer.

Thank you to all our current and future volunteers - we could not operate
this program without you.

*ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE*
901 Kehoe Building

101 Broad Street

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

(o) 518-564-2130

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu>*
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