As the COVID-19 pandemic reignites in California and cases once again climb, the need for experienced healthcare workers increases as well.
As a healthcare professional, you know what that means—long hours on the front lines in the eye of the pandemic storm – putting yourself at risk.
The families of nurses, doctors, paramedics, and clinical staff and support members may be social distancing by working from home and not able to physically attend school. But, what happens to the wellbeing of the families when health professionals are entering hospitals on a daily basis?
Many have decided not to take any chances – opting instead to pay out-of-pocket to stay in hotels near their hospital or healthcare facility.
But the good news is (remember when there was “good news?”), healthcare workers in California can now find help from the state in the form of free – or significantly discounted – hotel rooms. If you’re a California healthcare worker, here’s what you need to know:
The Non-Congregate Sheltering (NCS) for California Healthcare Workers Program
This program was created to keep California’s healthcare workers safe and healthy and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus to family, friends, and coworkers. It provides hotel rooms to frontline health care workers who are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19.
By offering hotel rooms in close proximity to medical facilities, healthcare workers avoid potentially spreading the virus once leaving their shift by selecting to stay at pre-identified hotel rooms that are provided at no charge or at a discounted rate. This program is also available for the healthcare workers hired through the California Health Corps.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Work in a California Healthcare Facility
This includes medical transport providers and non-medical staff within health care facilities., as well as workers in California’s Health Corps or CAL MAT, as designated by the State.
- Have Presumed Exposure to COVID-19
This condition needs to be documented by a state or county public health official or medical professional to house COVID-19 positive patients. Eligibility also includes healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19 but do not require hospitalization.
- Are Unable to Self-Isolate or Quarantine at Home
The Details
For the purposes of this program, “healthcare facility” does not include in-home support services (IHSS). If you make less than $250,000, you’re eligible for a room at no charge.
If you make $250,000 or more, you’re eligible for a discounted room. Rates depend on the offers provided by participating hotels.
How to Book a Room
If you qualify based on the above criteria and you’d like to book a room, call the CalTravelStore at (877) 454-8785.
Keep in mind that once you make the call, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- County of employment
- Medical facility of employment
- Job title
At check-in, you’ll be asked to provide:
- A personal credit card for any incidentals
- Employee identification
Currently, room reservations are being provided based on proximity to your hospital or medical facility, and availability.
At Focus Staff, we understand what it takes to have a successful travel healthcare career. With access to a wide variety of top-notch opportunities, we can help find an excellent fit for you – even during these trying times. For more information, contact us today.
To learn more about the California COVID-19 response, visit this website.
