HOSA 105 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

HOSA 105 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MODULE 2: MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS (MRC) PURPOSE The Medical Reserve Crps (MRC) is an imprtant part f the Citizen Crps. The prgram reprts directly t Surgen General f the U.S. Department f Health and Human Services. The missin f the MRC is t imprve the health and safety f cmmunities acrss the cuntry by rganizing and utilizing public health, medical and ther vlunteers. Vlunteer MRC units supplement existing emergency and public health resurces during lcal emergencies and ther times f cmmunity need. The Medical Reserve Crps (MRC) was funded after President Bush challenged all Americans t vlunteer in supprt f their cmmunity in his 2002 State f the Unin address. HOSA has established a partnership with the MRC which will result in the dubling f the vlunteer frce f the Medical Reserve Unit. The Medical Reserve Crps prvides partnership pprtunities that allw HOSA members t take an active rle in cntributing t their schls and cmmunities in emergency preparedness. The MRC is dedicated t establishing teams f lcal vlunteer medical and public health prfessinals t cntribute their skills and expertise thrughut the year as well as during times f cmmunity need. This partnership will als reinfrce the value f HOSA chapter and member invlvement in emergency preparedness and addressing the pririty issues f the Office f the United States Surgen General. Fr mre infrmatin abut the Medical Reserve Crps, visit the MRC website at http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/hmepage

OBJECTIVES 1. Explain the value f partnering with a lcal MRC unit. 2. Review an existing HOSA MRC partnership. 3. Analyze the rle f a HOSA chapter in partnership with a lcal MRC unit. 4. Intrduce HOSA t a lcal MRC directr. CONTENT HOSA has develped a partnership with the Medical Reserve Crps. The HOSA, Inc. Bard f Directrs supprts the partnership with the Medical Reserve Crps t take full advantage f the fllwing pprtunities: 1. Prvide HOSA members with pprtunities t gain experience (and training) as a vlunteer member f the Medical Reserve Crps by learning lcal emergency and health prcedures, trauma respnse techniques, use f specialized equipment and ther methds t enhance their effectiveness as a vlunteer. 2. Demnstrate HOSA s value as a pl f future health care prfessinals and vlunteers fr the Medical Reserve Crps as well as a career in the Public Health Service. 3. Encurage the invlvement f HOSA members t fill the gaps in lcal emergency respnse plans and t imprve the respnse capabilities f the lcal Medical Reserve Crps. 4. Invlve HOSA chapters and members in general public health initiatives such as flu vaccinatin clinics and diabetes detectin prgrams. 5. Supprt the Surgen General s gal t imprve health literacy by increasing disease preventin and eliminating health disparities, in additin t public health preparedness. These pprtunities can be shared with all health science students in an effrt t prepared them t successfully pursue a career in health care AND becme respnsible citizens in the cmmunity. - 2 -

MRC Website Resurces The MRC website cntains a wealth f infrmatin, including a resurce page at http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/resurces.asp. The resurce page includes a search functin, brwse capability, and links t resurces, including a PwerPint presentatin, MRC 101. Search Resurces Search Brwse by Subcategry A - Z A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # See All Brwse by Categry Branding Credentialing and Respnse Liability Lcal Integratin and Partnerships MRC Articles NACCHO Natinal Cnferences Natinal Newsletters Organizatinal Structure Public Health Initiatives Reginal Cnferences Reginal Resurces Sustainability Training Vlunteer Relatins Wrk Grups Highlighted Resurces MRC 101 MRC Calendar MRC Acrnyms MRC Prgram Brchure MRC Vide Gallery MRC Pht Gallery Health Related Public Service Annuncements MRC-TRAIN and Cre Cmpetency Resurces Technical Assistance Series Pandemic Flu Planning Guidance fr MRC Units - 3 -

Cre Cmpetencies fr Medical Reserve Crps Vlunteers Medical Reserve Crps (MRC) members cme frm varius backgrunds and have varying credentials, capabilities, and prfessinal experience. They include dctrs, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and mre. They als include ther cmmunity vlunteers wh perfrm vital supprt psitins. There are n standard training requirements fr MRC members. MRCs cnsider their wn unique needs in rder t best prepare their members t functin effectively. The fllwing cre cmpetencies are encuraged s that all active members reach a desired level f prficiency. 1. Describe the prcedure and steps necessary t prtect the health, safety, and verall well-being f themselves, their families, the team, and the cmmunity. 2. Dcument that they have an existing persnal and family preparedness plan. 3. Describe the chain f cmmand (e.g., Emergency Management System, Incident Cmmand System, Natinal Incident Management System), MRC integratin, and its applicatin t a given incident. 4. Describe the lcal MRC unit s rle in public health and/r emergency respnse and its applicatin t a given incident. 5. Describe their cmmunicatin rle(s) and prcesses with respnse partners, media, general public, and thers. 6. Describe an event s impact n their mental health, respnders and thers. 7. Demnstrate their ability t fllw prcedures fr assignment, activatin, reprting, and deactivatin. 8. Identify limits t wn skills, knwledge, and abilities as they pertain t the MRC. - 4 -

Partnership Opprtunities HOSA and MRC HOSA invlvement presents an excellent pprtunity fr Health Science students t engage with the lcal MRC. This is servicelearning at its finest, and prvides an pprtunity t give back t the cmmunity while netwrking with healthcare prfessinals. MRC Recruitment HOSA members can jin the lcal MRC as nn-medical vlunteers and transitin t medical vlunteers as they cmplete their health care educatin. HOSA members can invite their parents t jin the lcal MRC. HOSA members can staff recruitment bths at malls and cmmunity functins, handing ut brchures, flyers and applicatins. Emergency Shelters HOSA members can help staff evacuatin and special needs shelters. HOSA members can hld fd drives and ther activities t help stck emergency shelters. Cmmunity Flu Clinics and Health Fairs HOSA members can distribute infrmatin flyers thrughut the cmmunity. HOSA members can help with mailings and registratin. HOSA members can take bld pressures at the Health Fair. HOSA members can create Health Fair displays. Health Literacy HOSA members can prvide health infrmatin t schl and cmmunity grups. HOSA members can cnduct cmmunity awareness prjects related t specific health issues. Disaster Drills HOSA members can act as victims in cunty disaster drill and simulatins. HOSA members can participate in emergency respnse training. HOSA State Cnference Invlvement The MRC culd ffer a bi-readiness training sessin fr HOSA members during the state cnference. The MRC culd have a bth/table at the cnference t talk with interested students and advisrs. The MRC culd distribute judge invitatins t all their members. The MRC culd spnsr the HOSA events related t emergency preparedness. - 5 -

Talking Pints Intrducing HOSA t the MRC Directr These talking pints can be used when intrducing HOSA t a member f the lcal MRC, r adapted fr use by the health science instructr t fit his/her prgram needs. 1. Read abut the MRC befre making a call. a. Visit the MRC website at http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/hmepage. The site includes everything yu need t knw abut the natinal initiative and MRC gals. b. The MRC website will prvide a link t MRC chapters that serve yur state and lcal cmmunity. Visit that site t determine the status f yur lcal MRC and fr cntact infrmatin. 2. Call and make an appintment with the MRC Directr. a. Call and intrduce yurself. I am with HOSA, an rganizatin f high schl and cllege students wh are planning t pursue a health care career. Our Natinal rganizatin is wrking with the Medical Reserve Crps ffice in Washingtn D.C. We wuld like t create a partnership with ur lcal MRC unit here in. Is there a date and time that we culd meet t talk abut hw HOSA culd supprt yur effrts? b. Cnfirm yur meeting via e-mail, and include a link t http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/sptlights/organizatin/2006/septem which is the lcatin n the MRC website that addresses the HOSA partnership, and a link t HOSA s website at www.hsa.rg. 3. Meet with yur MRC Directr. a. It is recmmended that the visit include a chapter r state advisr and at least ne student fficer. b. Begin the meeting by telling the HOSA stry. (Gals and purpses f ur rganizatin.) This is smething that a HOSA fficer culd prepare ahead f time that answers the questin What is HOSA? and prvides a summary f HOSA s missin and activities. This explanatin shuld take 2-4 minutes and shuld be delivered in an extempraneus and cnfident manner. c. Ask abut the MRC unit. Find ut as much as yu can abut the lcatin, spnsrship, and specific gals f the MRC unit. d. Talk abut MRC activities in which HOSA culd participate. Use yur list f Partnership Opprtunities HOSA and MRC as a springbard. e. Take ntes with specific dates and times f MRC activities that culd invlve HOSA members. f. Explain that yu will develp a draft partnership agreement and fllw up within the week. - 6 -

4. Draw up a draft partnership agreement. a. The draft agreement shuld be written and shuld include at least ne MRC activity in which HOSA culd get invlved. Include as many specifics as pssible. The agreement des nt need t be frmal and elabrate, but it des need t be specific. b. Start simple. It is fine t plan ne activity and see it thrugh t cmpletin befre making additinal plans. 5. Submit a HOSA-MRC Partnership Reprt Frm a. The frm lets yur state advisr and Natinal HOSA knw what is happening at the lcal level, and gives us tracking data t frward t the Surgen General s ffice. 6. Ntify lcal schl administratrs and media f the partnership a. Once the partnership is established, be sure t ntify lcal schl administratrs f HOSA s invlvement with the MRC. b. This is als an excellent pprtunity t cntact TV and newspaper utlets t let them knw abut the partnership and the value f HOSA in cntributing the future f healthcare as well as the cmmn gd. 7. Add MRC activities t the HOSA Plan-f-Wrk a. As the partnership prgresses and builds, add HOSA activities with and in supprt f the MRC t the HOSA Chapter Plan-f-Wrk. b. States shuld als cnsider ways t recgnize chapter invlvement with the MRC. - 7 -

ASSIGNMENTS MODULE 2 1. Find yur clsest MRC unit. Yu can d a search by zipcde r state at http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/findmrc.asp Unit Name Address City, State, Zip Cntact Name Phne E-mail address A later assignment will include intrducing Health Science Educatin and HOSA t the MRC Directr. Befre yu d that, the additinal assignments in this mdule will prepare yu fr meeting with the MRC. 2. Web resurces. Brwse the MRC website, paying particular attentin t the resurce page at http://www.medicalreservecrps.gv/resurces.asp Fr this assignment, yu can either shw the PwerPint t a class and have students respnd t the questins in Attachment 2-1, r yu can review the PwerPint, MRC 101 n the MRC resurce page and answer the questins in Attachment 2-1. Include either yur respnse sheet in yur ntebk OR select five (5) student respnse sheets and include them in yur ntebk. 3. Review the Partnership Opprtunities: HOSA and MRC sectin in this mdule, and then use the rating frm in Attachment 2-2 t evaluate the ptins. 4. Pima Cunty Health Department Student MRC. Read the brchure and student handbk frm the Pima Cunty Health Department Student Medical Reserve Crps, and cmplete the review summary in Attachment 2-3. The handbk and brchure are available in PDF frmat n the same website as HOSA 105, r they can be dwnladed frm the Pima Cunty Health Department website. Handbk http://www.pimahealth.rg/citizencrps/student_mrc_handbk.pdf Brchure http://www.schsa.rg/resurces/studentmrcbrchure-1.pdf - 8 -

5. Intrduce HOSA t the lcal MRC Directr. HOSA has prepared a detailed list f steps that can be used when intrducing HOSA t yur lcal MRC. Using the dcument Talking Pints Intrducing HOSA t the MRC Directr fllw the recmmended steps and meet with yur lcal MRC Directr t intrduce him/her t HOSA and Health Science Educatin. Fllwing the meeting, cmplete the summary frm in Attachment 2-4. 6. Guest speaker (ptinal) Invite a member f the lcal MRC t yur health science class(es) r HOSA chapter. The tpic shuld supprt yur curriculum (intended instructinal utcmes) and may include infrmatin abut the MRC in additin t the selected tpic. (Fr example, yu might invite a pharmacist t talk abut careers in pharmacy as well as sharing his/her MRC experiences.) If yu chse t have a guest speaker frm the MRC, include a summary f the speaker in yur ntebk. - 9 -

ATTACHMENT 2-1 MRC 101 POWERPOINT Please answer the fllwing questins abut the Medical Reserve Crps. 1. Many peple wanted t help in respnse t the terrrist attacks f September 11, 2001, but there were prblems when thusands f vlunteers shwed up withut any rganizatin. What were the challenges with these vlunteers? 2. Mst health-credentialed MRC vlunteers are frm what prfessin? 3. List 4 things that all MRC units have in cmmn: 4. Can retired healthcare prfessinals jin a lcal MRC? Yes N 5. Can nn-healthcare vlunteers jin a lcal MRC? Yes N 6. MRC members are encuraged t supprt the Surgen General s pririties fr public health, including the prmtin f health literacy. What is health literacy? - 10 -

ATTACHMENT 2-2 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES RATING SHEET Please review the Partnership Opprtunities suggested fr HOSA chapters with MRCs. Rate each pprtunity in the chart belw. MRC Recruitment Ease f Implementatin On a scale f 5 (being easy) and 1 (being difficult) hw challenging wuld it be t implement this strategy? Curriculum Integratin On a scale f 5 (very relevant) t 1 (irrelevant) hw well des this strategy fit with yur instructinal gals? Ptential On a scale f 5 (being very likely) t 1 (unlikely) what is the likelihd that yu wuld suggest this partnership strategy t yur lcal MRC? Emergency Shelters Cmmunity Flu Clinics and Health Fairs Health Literacy Disaster Drills HOSA State Cnference Invlvement - 11 -

ATTACHMENT 2-3 PIMA COUNTY STUDENT MRC REVIEW SUMMARY The Pima Cunty Health Department in Arizna develped a cmprehensive mdel fr student invlvement in the Medical Reserve Crps. We invite yu t read the brchure and student handbk, and then answer the questins belw. What were the strengths f the Student Medical Reserve Crps brchure? After reading the Student Medical Reserve Crps vlunteer handbk, what d yu like abut the prgram, and what d yu think are the challenges? Likes Challenges Will yu share the Pima Cunty mdel (dcuments) with yur lcal health department? Why r why nt? If yur health science students were invlved in a prgram similar t the MRC prgram ffered by the Pima Cunty Health Department, culd yu (wuld yu) cunt MRC hurs as clinical hurs? Why r why nt? - 12 -

ATTACHMENT 2-4 THE HOSA-MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS PARTNERSHIP Reprt Frm HOSA Chapter Address Chapter Advisr E-mail Chapter President r MRC Cmmittee Chair E-mail MRC Unit Spnsring Agency Directr E-mail Phne Phne Phne Date and Lcatin f Partnership Meeting Meeting Participants Outcmes f Meeting (use reverse if necessary) What specific plans have been made fr this partnership, and what pprtunities are being cnsidered fr the future? Please mail, fax r e-mail this frm t: Natinal HOSA 6021 Mrriss Rad, Suite 111 Flwer Mund, TX 75028 972 874-0063 (Fax) ksmith@hsa.rg - 13 -

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