US Government Agencies In Need of Respiratory Therapists
The AARC received an urgent call from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) for 12 to 24 RTs to serve in MASH units that are being formed. Volunteers will be compensated for their transportation but will not be paid a salary.
If you are interested in serving and can be gone from home for more then a few days, possibly longer, please e-mail James Bryant with the Texas Department of State Health Services at James.Bryant@DSHS.state.tx.us and mention you are responding to the call from NIEHS for Respiratory Therapist to serve in the MASH units being formed.
Additionally, the US Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Respiratory therapists are among those needed to volunteer. For more information and an application form, log on to the HHS Health Care Professionals and Relief Personnel Volunteer Page to indicate you willingness to join a relief team.
We will continue to update this information as it becomes available to us.
Updated September 2, 2005
The AARC has received this press release from the US Department of Health and Human Services. This reiterates some of the information listed above, but does provide new telephone numbers and more detailed information.
HHS Releases Website and Toll Free Number for Deployment by Health Care ProfessionalsThe Department of Health and Human Services has established a website (https://volunteer.hhs.gov) and toll-free number (1-866-KAT MEDI) to help identify health care professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
“The desire of America’s health care professionals to use their skills to help Hurricane Katrina’s victims has been inspiring,” Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “This website and toll free number are important tools to become part of this network of goodness that is taking place.”
Multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and relief personnel with expertise in the following areas are encouraged to visit the website and register to volunteer for appointment by HHS:
Administration/Finance Officers Morticians* Chaplain Mortuary Assistants* Clinical Physicians Nursing Assistants/Nursing Support Technicians Coroners* Nursing Staff Directors Dental Forensics* Paramedics* Dentists Patient Transporters/Volunteers Dieticians Pharmacists EMT* Psychologists Environmental Health Physician’s Assistants or Nurse Practitioners Epidemiologists Physician Chiefs of Staff Facility Managers Radiologic Technicians* Housekeepers Respiratory Therapists IT/Communications Officers RNs Laboratory Technicians* Safety Officers LPNs Security Officers Medical Clerks Social Workers Medical Examiners* Supply Managers Mental Health Workers Veterinarians *These categories added as of September 5, 2005. Please be advised that individuals must be healthy enough to function under field conditions.
This may include all or some of the following:
12 hour shifts
Austere conditions (possibly no showers, housing in tents)
No air conditioning
Long periods of standing
Sleep accommodations on bed roll
Military ready to eat meals
Portable toiletsThese workers will be non-paid temporary Federal employees, and will therefore be eligible for coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act for liability coverage and Workman’s Compensation when functioning as HHS employees. Although there will not be any salary, travel and per diem will be paid.
Volunteers with no healthcare background can find information on volunteering at www.USAFreedomCorps.gov or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.
