Volunteers are needed to serve on the Hospital Decontamination Team.
Safety Operations will be conducting a patient decontamination training session on Oct. 19 and 20 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The training will include both “Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness Course” and “Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations Course.”
At the end of the training, participants will be able to demonstrate the various activities associated with providing Hospital Decon: operations; suit support, equipment support, security and how to provide chemical identification. Participants also will learn how to set up decon equipment, assist Team members who are providing decon for conscious and unconscious patients, and how to properly don and doff level “B” & “C” personal protective equipment.
The following are criteria for becoming a member of this Team:
- Annually fit testing for wearing both an N 95 Respirator and a Survive Air full face mask – beards and any facial hair that interferes with providing a tight seal are not allowed.
- Prior experience as a firefighter, EMT, Haz Mat First Responder or decontamination training is helpful, but not required.
- No history of claustrophobia.
- No history of latex sensitivity.
- Good physical condition that includes being capable of bending, stooping and lifting an unconscious patient as part of a team effort.
- Must be capable of working in stressful conditions while wearing a positive-pressure, atmosphere-supplied respirator.
- Must wear a pager and respond on-call.
- Must be either a hospital or UNMC employee.
- Members must commit to attending monthly training sessions and participating in period drills.
- Manager or director approval required.
The class will be limited to the first 20 people who sign up. The two-day sessions will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be in Wittson Hall, Room 3010 A.
For more information about the training, or to reserve a spot in the class, contact Larry Nelson at 559-6690 or e-mail lanelson@nebraskamed.com.