Fall Semester Health Services Update
Any student with concerns about COVID-19 exposure or symptoms should reach out to health services directly, by phone at 978.542.6413 or by a health portal message.
Health services will be largely involved in on-campus COVID testing efforts for both asymptomatic and symptomatic students. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments via telemedicine, either by video or phone. Walk-in appointments will not be feasible this year and our office hours may vary due to out of office COVID testing requirements. If an in-person appointment is required, such as for an immunization, procedure, or testing, the clinician you see during your telemedicine appointment will help assist you with scheduling. Very limited in-person visits will be offered this semester.
Most health concerns can be assessed via our video telehealth platform and you are encouraged to schedule an appointment for any health concerns such as cold symptoms, concerns about COVID-19 symptoms or exposures, skin concerns, birth control, STI exposure or testing, pregnancy counseling, UTIs, sexual health concerns or questions, or other illness or injury health needs. Due to the need to prioritize the public health of our Salem State community, we will prioritize students who need to be seen for covid and flu-like illnesses.
Our staff will also be working out of office, to provide on campus free COVID testing for residential and other students at increased risk for COVID exposure. More detailed information will be available soon.
If you’ve previously seen one of our nurse practitioners and have an ongoing prescription, non-urgent medical concern, or question, please feel free to utilize a virtual visit or contact a nurse practitioner via your health portal.
We are taking additional steps, based on national and state guidance, to ensure our facilities remain a safe place for you to confidently receive health care, including but not limited to:
- All staff members wear masks. The type of mask worn is determined by the type of care they provide, to best ensure their safety and the safety of our patients.
- Some staff members may wear additional protective measures, such as face shields or gowns, based on current CDC and state requirements.
- All patients and anyone with them will be asked to wear a mask or cloth face covering while inside our facilities. You are encouraged to bring your own.
- Limited visitor policy: For safety and to achieve your health goals, we ask you to only bring someone with you if this is a necessity for you.
- Hand sanitizer is available at each entrance and exit and at numerous locations throughout the facility. Everyone is asked to sanitize their hands upon entering our facility. Each staff member sanitizes their hands before and after each patient encounter.
- Every patient and visitor is screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering our facilities. Staff also screen for symptoms every day prior to arriving to the office.
- We are significantly limiting the number of students in our office and typically will have no more than a few students in the office at any given time.
- Reduce the amount of time students spend in the office by starting all visits by telemedicine appointment
- Provide adequate time between patient visits to allow for appropriate air exchanges
- High touch surfaces such as door handles, chair handles, exam room tables are disinfected with an EPA approved disinfectant after every patient encounter.
- Disinfect medical exam rooms and other shared spaces (such as waiting room) nightly with UV-C disinfectant lights.
- Hired additional health staff members to aide in providing timely care and follow up of our ill or exposed students
As always, if you need emergency care, please contact University Police if you are on campus at 978.542.6111, or if you are off-campus, 911.
If you need medical care or services after business hours, view our list of local health providers.
Our Services
Staffed by nurse practitioners and a part-time doctor, health services is your on-campus doctor’s office. We offer medical care, consultation on health-related issues, health promotion programs, and referrals and collaborations with area providers and primary care physicians.
Common Colds: Sore throat and runny nose are usually the first signs of a cold, followed by coughing and sneezing. Most people recover in about 7-10 days. You can help reduce your risk of getting a cold: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with sick people, and don’t touch your face with unwashed hands. There are several things you can do to help relieve your symptoms, learn what you can do.
Injury: For a musculoskeletal injury, we recommend initiating the RICE method as soon as possible after injury. Learn more about the RICE method.
With any illness or injury, if your symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving after a week, it is important to schedule an appointment with health services or your primary care provider for further evaluation.
We offer many lab tests in the office without any additional charge to you. However, some tests need to be sent to a third party laboratory, Quest Diagnostics. Your health insurance is typically billed for these tests but in the event that you do not want to use your health insurance, you can discuss paying out of pocket with your provider.
For more detailed information about sexual health services on campus please visit the sexual health resource page.
Birth control and reproductive medications are available on-site at reduced rates for students who choose not to use their insurance. We recommend visiting bedsider.org/methods to review current birth control options before your visit.
Students with the university's health insurance plan and many other insurance plans can make an appointment at health services to fulfill their immunization requirements if needed.
We also offer out-of-pocket reduced costs for immunity titers for Hepatitis B, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.