CSHBC News and Notices to the Professions on COVID-19

Provincial Health Officer issues statement: universal mask-wearing in health-care facilities is no longer mandatory

April 11, 2023

The Provincial Health Officer has announced that while masks are still required in some situations in health-care settings, universal mask-wearing by all staff and visitors in health-care facilities is no longer mandatory.. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer provides updates on COVID-19 orders affecting regulated health professionals

September 20, 2022

BC’s Provincial Health Officer has advised that she has decided to continue not requiring regulated health care professionals in private practice to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer updates order to require BC health regulatory colleges, including CSHBC, to record COVID-19 vaccination status of registrants on an ongoing basis

June 14, 2022

The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has updated an order on COVID-19 vaccination status of BC health professionals. The amended order requires vaccination status collection by BC health regulatory colleges to be an ongoing requirement. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer releases data on COVID-19 vaccination status of regulated health professionals in BC

May 10, 2022

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has released aggregate data on the COVID-19 vaccination status of regulated health professionals in BC, including RAUDs, RHIPs, and RSLPs. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer issues new mask use & infection prevention & control guidance for health professionals

April 5, 2022

While BC has ended its indoor mask requirement, registrants are expected to comply with guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control that is relevant to mask use in the clinic environment. Read more

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Updated recommendation on masking requirement

March 15, 2022

While BC has ended its indoor mask requirement, registrants are expected to comply with guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control that is relevant to mask use in the clinic environment. Read more

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Next steps for complying with public health Order requiring recording of registrants’ COVID-19 vaccination status

March 11, 2022

Next steps for registrants and questions and answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s Order. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer issues new Order that requires health regulatory colleges to record COVID-19 vaccination status of registrants

March 8, 2022

BC’s Provincial Health Officer has issued a new public heath Order that requires health regulatory colleges, including CSHBC, to record COVID-19 vaccination status of all registrants by March 31, 2022. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer announces new mandatory vaccination order for all regulated health professionals

February 9, 2022

Today the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) announced that, effective March 24, 2022, all regulated health professionals, including Registered Audiologists (RAUDs), Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIPs). Read more

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Access to COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations for CSHBC Registrants

December 16, 2021

As part of the provincial effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Immunize BC team has now shared the timeline and process for registrants and their staff working in the community—categorized as “community health care workers”—to get priority access to COVID-19 vaccination booster doses. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer order regarding mandatory vaccinations for health professionals in effect October 26, 2021

October 15, 2021

A new order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) regarding mandatory vaccination for health professionals has been posted: Hospital and Community (Health Care and Other Services) COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures – October 14th, 2021. Registrants will want to familiarize themselves with the content of this order, including those working in the contexts addressed by the order. Read more

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Mandatory Vaccination for Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Assisted Living Workers, Including Health Care Providers and Volunteers

August 23, 2021

On August 12, 2021, the Provincial Health Office announced that, to address recent breakthrough COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities, it is mandatory for all health care workers in care homes and assisted living facilities to be fully vaccinated by October 12, 2021. Read more

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New health measures to contain COVID-19 outbreak in Central Okanagan

July 29, 2021

Interior Health (IH) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the central Okanagan due to significant increases in COVID-19 transmission and is announcing measures to contain the outbreak. Read more

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Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan comes into effect on July 1, 2021

July 1, 2021

Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan comes into effect on July 1, 2021. In anticipation of this, WorkSafeBC has released information designed to assist employers with this important transition, available in full. Read more

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Updated information regarding BC’s COVID-19 immunization program

February 10, 2021

Further to the Notice to the Professions dated January 5, 2021,  CSHBC has received additional information from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) regarding BC’s immunization strategy.  Read more

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Information about BC’s COVID-19 immunization program

January 5, 2021

As part of British Columbia’s COVID-19 immunization strategy, the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations began the week of December 14, 2020. Read more

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Invitation to participate in a Statistics Canada Survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on health care workers

November 27, 2020

CSHBC is advising registrants of an opportunity to participate in the Statistics Canada survey Impacts of Covid-19 on Health Care Workers: Infection Prevention and Control. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer confirms scope of Ministry of Health Mask Use Policy

November 17, 2020

On November 16, 2020, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer (PHO), issued two Public Health Orders that temporarily authorize certain Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (RSLPs) and Registered Audiologists (RAUDs) to perform screening tests for COVID-19. Read more

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Provincial Health Officer confirms scope of Ministry of Health Mask Use Policy

November 11, 2020

CSHBC has received confirmation from the Provincial Health Officer that a recently released Ministry of Health policy on mask use in health care facilities does not apply to CSHBC registrants working in private practice settings. Read more

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Clarity about the Provincial Health Officer’s Orders issued on November 7, 2020

November 9, 2020

Dr. Bonnie Henry issued orders on November 7, 2020 specific to Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions.  CSHBC provides clarity on her directives as they relate to registrants. Read more

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Resources for Registered Speech-Language Pathologists returning to practice in BC schools

September 3, 2020

BC students will return to in-class learning starting the week of September 8, 2020. Registered Speech-Language Pathologists who work in schools should consult back to school plans released by the BC Government and school districts along with other resources. Read more

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Registration requirements for applicants during the COVID-19 pandemic

June 10, 2020

The CSHBC Registration Committee has authorized some temporary changes to the format in which application documentation may be submitted and English language tests may be taken. Read more

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First installment plan payment for registration fees due June 30, 2020

June 4, 2020

For registrants participating in the installment plan for payment of registration fees for the 2020/2021 registration year, the first installment payment is due June 30, 2020. CSHBC has compiled information on how to make installment plan payments, and the consequences of failing to pay an installment payment by the due date. Read more

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CSHBC releases guidance for providing in-person community care and Provincial Health Officer issues update on resuming health services

May 15, 2020

CSHBC has posted guidance for providing in-person community care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has also issued an update to regulated health professionals on resuming health services. Read more

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BC’s Restart Plan: Phase 2 in development

May 12, 2020

Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan is scheduled to begin in mid-May, and includes the restoration of health-related services under enhanced protocols. Until these protocols are released, CSHBC recommends that registrants continue to comply with the current orders and direction of the Provincial Health Officer and the College on COVID-19. Read more

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CSHBC statement on hearing aids dispensed directly from manufacturers to clients

May 5, 2020

CSHBC has issued a statement about hearing aids dispensed directly from manufacturers to clients, and provided a reminder about precautions for registrants to follow when dispensing hearing aids. Read more

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Information about personal protective equipment (PPE) and routine precautions

May 5, 2020

CSHBC does not regulate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), but the College has compiled information about PPE and routine precautions. Read more

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Changes to application process for audiology, speech-language pathology, and hearing instrument dispensing applicants due to COVID-19

April 30, 2020

There are important updates for applicants on the pathway to become Registered Audiologists, Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners, and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists in BC, due to the impact of COVID-19. Read more

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CSHBC registrants: updating contact information

April 24, 2020

CSHBC registrants are asked to ensure the College has their up-to-date email addresses and other contact information. This is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when CSHBC is updating registrants on guidance regarding practice. Read more

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Guidance to registrants on COVID-19: Stay the course

April 21, 2020

Recommendations to registrants for suspending practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, subject to allowable exceptions, remain fully in effect. Read more

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Registration for Fall 2020 licensing exams currently on hold

April 6, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting processes and timelines for registration of new graduates. Until further notice, applicants are advised not to begin the process of enrolling for the CETP Exam until CSHBC provides further information specific to BC. Read more

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COVID-19: CSHBC recommendation that registrants in private practice suspend in-person elective and non-essential services continues until further notice

March 30, 2020

CSHBC advises registrants that the recommendation that registrants in private practice suspend in-person elective and non-essential services remains in effect until further notice. Read more

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CSHBC directs registrants to proceed with registration renewal – deadline: March 31, 2020

March 25, 2020

CSHBC directs registrants who have not renewed their registration for 2020/2021 to proceed with renewing their registration in the College’s Registrant Portal, which has been adjusted to enable an installment plan, implemented in light of the situation with COVID-19. Read more

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COVID-19: Questions & Answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s March 23, 2020 update for regulated health professionals

March 25, 2020

CSHBC has compiled questions and answers about Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s March 23, 2020 update for regulated health professionals in BC. Read more

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COVID-19: Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issues expectations for regulated health professionals

March 23, 2020

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued an important update for regulated health professionals in BC about providing patient and client care in community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

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Updated CSHBC Registration Renewal FAQs

March 20, 2020

CSHBC has compiled questions and answers about registration renewal, including FAQs about how registration renewal for 2020/2021 is different due to COVID-19. Read more

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COVID-19 (coronavirus): Enhanced infection control for private clinics that remain open

March 19, 2020

CSHBC registrants are reminded that good infection control procedures are imperative to good client care. In the absence of a public health directive ordering private clinics to close, there are some enhanced procedures that will help limit spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Read more

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CSHBC implements installment plan for registration renewal fees

March 18, 2020

In light of the situation with COVID-19, the CSHBC Registration Committee passed a one-time emergency resolution that enables CSHBC registrants to pay registration renewal fees for 2020/2021 in an installment plan. Click “Read More” to read the emergency resolution. Read more

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CSHBC recommends registrants in private practice suspend in-person elective and non-essential services; implements installment plan for registration renewal fees; and suspends Practice Review pilot for RSLPs

March 18, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 situation, CSHBC strongly recommends that all RAUDs, RHIPs, and RSLPs who work in private practice conduct a risk assessment, suspend in-person elective and non-essential services, and only provide urgent and emergent services. CSHBC’s Registration Committee passed a one-time emergency resolution that enables registrants to pay registration renewal fees for 2020/2021 in an installment plan. CSHBC is also suspending the Practice Review pilot for RSLPs. Read more

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Guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus) from Provincial Health Officer for health care workers

March 16, 2020

BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, has issued two letters to health care workers providing guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus). Read more