NC Leadership Volunteer Position Available

There is an American Red Cross NC State Nurse Leader position available for a candidate who would like to increase his/her experience statewide in a leadership position. Training and mentoring provided. Most work done by email and phone. Red Cross experience desirable but not necessary. College professors encouraged to apply.

Disaster Nursing Course Offered 2X Month

Need to take the Health Services Response Workshop to volunteer as a disaster nurse locally or across the country? We are offering the 2 hr. condensed course via Webinar twice a month. Contact Sandra for registration information at sandra.whitmore@redcross.org

NEW NAME FOR NURSING NETWORK

Nursing has a strong legacy with the American Red Cross and 20,000 nurses are in service across the organization today. Nurses consistently rank first as the most trusted profession in the US.  Red Cross nurses continue to enhance the Red Cross brand and image.  The Nursing Network is now called the Regional Nurse Network (The RN Network) and is the operational arm for Red Cross nursing and health function.  It is foundational to helping chapters build health capacity and community resiliency.  

Interested in Volunteering?

Health professionals provide services locally, regionally and nationally to clients affected by disaster in a community-health nurse led model. In addition, they work locally to help prepare the community for disaster events by doing presentations, working with partner organziations, and teaching students as a part of their course work. Health professionals may also work in other ARC business lines by teaching courses such as CPR, First Aid, and Babysitting, by working with the military and veterans, and by participating in special projects with Biomedical Services

Time Commitment: Variable

Qualificiations: RN/NP, LPN/LVN, EMT, MD, student nurse, CNA; Unencumbered professional license or certification, CPR/AED for Professional Responders (AHA accepted)

 

Health Services Response Workshop Training Extended

The Health Services Response Workshop Webinar training for healthcare professionals has been extended. They will be conducted on Tues. and Sat. from 2pm to 4pm EST from Nov. 27 to Dec. 18. Contact Sandra at teegeemailbox-nursing@yahoo.com for registration information.

Recruitment Information

 DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

For American Red Cross Disaster Relief Operations

November 1, 2012 

What is the Red Cross doing and what does it need?   

The Red Cross has been providing shelter, feeding, health and mental health support to thousands of people affected by Hurricane Sandy.  We are mobilizing our trained and experienced volunteers and recruiting new Disaster Health Services (DHS) volunteers to provide support to clients and Red Cross responders on relief operations in New Jersey and New York.  Disaster relief operations are fluid and change daily.  Accordingly, the need for volunteers will flex in the days and weeks ahead as relief operations progress.

 

Be prepared for a waiting period before you will be able to provide DHS support.

 

Opportunities for Current Red Cross DHS Volunteers 

If you are a Red Cross volunteer who has already completed the Health Services Response Workshop (HSRW) training and are registered with your chapter:

• Please contact your chapter (volunteer coordinator) and let him/her know when you are available.
• If you have access to Crossnet (Red Cross’s internal website), update your own availability through the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) system.  

If you live in state affected by Hurricane Sandy

• You will likely be able to help on relief operations as a local disaster volunteer (LDV).  This will afford you slightly more flexibility about working your volunteer commitment around other life activities.  
• You could also:
• Work with your local chapter to provide support to disaster survivors in your community
• Provide support to Red Cross disaster relief workers and their families while they’re gone and provide post-deployment support to workers returning from assignments.
• Conduct media interviews at the request of Red Cross Public Affairs to discuss the common reactions individuals experience in the aftermath of disaster. 
• Teach a local Disaster Health Services Response Workshop 
• Assist with other chapter support duties such as answering phones, preparing meals, filing, etc. While not typically considered traditional disaster health services, helping out with these activities can help preserve the mental health of other Red Cross responders.

If you live in state not affected by Hurricane Sandy

• You may be eligible to deploy on national assignment if you are an RN, LPN/LVN, EMT, or physician
• If assigned, please make arrangements to be away from home for a minimum of 10 days from when you deploy.
• Please note that it is possible that out-of-state deployment opportunities will not be available at the time you approach your local chapter
• Be prepared for there to be a waiting period before Red Cross training is available and before you are contacted to deploy out of state.
• Please see the second bullet above under Live in state affected by Hurricane Sandy for other ways you can help (i.e. You could also . . . ).  

Opportunities for  Health Providers to Become Red Cross Disaster Health Services Volunteers  

Are you eligible?  Red Cross DHS Volunteers must be: 

• State-licensed nurses (RNs or LPN/LVNs) ,physicians, EMTs
• For national or local deployment. State-certified nursing aides, and students may volunteer  in their state of residence only.
• Licensed in the state in which you live.  A license in the state affected by the disaster is not needed.

If you are not eligible, don’t worry. There are many volunteer opportunities within Red Cross that are equally important and rewarding.  Please contact your chapter to explore activities such as Client Casework or Mass Care. You chapter can recommend a good volunteer fit for you.    

Steps to Become a Red Cross Disaster Health Services Volunteer:

• All volunteers work with the American Red Cross begins at the local chapter
• Enter your zip code under “Find your local Red Cross” at www.redcross.org to find the chapter closest to you.
• Register as a volunteer with the chapter.  They will help you to:
• Complete a background check online at no cost to you
• Complete the appropriate application
• Complete a self-report health status record
• Complete Health Services Response Workshop (HSRW) and Disaster Services: An Overview (DSO) trainings. 
• During times of large disaster, the HSRW is often offered via webinar. 
• The first module of the DSO class may be done online, with the remaining hour done in the chapter.
• Fulfill any other training or paperwork that your chapter may require
• There are additional courses that are very helpful for health services volunteers.  Check to see if your chapter or one near you will be offering them.  These include Psychological First Aid, Client Casework, and Shelter Operations.

NOTE:  While you are waiting for a course or to be approved to deploy, any support you can provide to your local community and Red Cross chapter will be of great value.  

 

Why does it take so long to get deployed?  Why is there so much paperwork?

• Essential information and background checks ensure the safety and welfare of Red Cross clients, volunteers and partners.  Preparing disaster relief workers to respond in the aftermath of disaster can be extremely challenging.  
• The Red Cross places high value in getting the right people, to the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time.  Sometimes that means taking more time before deployment in order to save time moving people later. 
• Local Red Cross chapters manage large amounts of requests from the community and from prospective volunteers. 

What is different about volunteering with the Red Cross?

• Be patient and flexible.  Situations in disaster change rapidly and service delivery needs are fluid.  You may be asked to work at one site providing one type of service and then be switched to another site within a short period of time. 
• Our co-workers may also be our clients.  90% of Red Cross staff are volunteers just like you.  They need your support (and your kindness). 
• Provide community based health services in shelters, aid stations, or doing community outreach. 

• Address physical health needs (e.g., first aid, medications, replacement of equipment)
• Assist those with chronic diseases and special conditions as they manage their care after a disaster
• Coordinate community services and the public health network
• Volunteering  locally as well as regionally/nationally inlarger disasters. The Red Cross responds to local fire and other disasters on an almost daily basis. Health services are needed in many of these cases, giving volunteers an opportunity to work locally with a more flexible time commitment.

• The work is very satisfying …. And very frustrating.  You’re working with people who have immediate needs for food, shelter, emotional support, and other basics.  The most crucial need is information, which often you don’t have because the situation is constantly changing.  We do the best we can with the limited resources we have.

Disaster Health Service Training Available Online for Hurricane Sandy Disaster Response

 

Greetings to all Disaster Health Services Volunteers and Community Volunteers,

In an effort to better serve our communities in the aftermath of Sandy’s devastation, there will be a regular series of Disaster Health Services Response Workshops (HSRWs) offered through the Red Cross State Nurse Liaison (SNL) Network. These offerings will initially occur every other day at 2 PM starting 1 November 12, Thursday. We will reassess need the week of Thanksgiving and adjust from there.

Feel free to proceed directly to our registration site, selecting one of the dates/times below for the HSRW training, which is two hours. Your registration information will enable us to issue your certificate of completion through the email after you complete the course. NOTE: This is a full course certification to become DHS worker in Disaster Services when added to other volunteer requirements.

ANYONE can participate in this training who is eligible for DHS (RNs, LPNs, physicians, EMTs, CNAs, and students in any of those categories), but this course is ONE of several components that you will need to become a Red Cross volunteer. That said, we are welcoming our partners in other organizations to participate as they work beside and with our DHS volunteers during this disaster. Please contact Debra Williams, SNL Advisor for Red Cross Divisions 3-5 and coordinator for this effort,for further information or questions related to this offering.

Debra Williams, Red Cross SNL Adv Div 3-5

Debra.Williams@redcross.org

American Red Cross Health Service Response Workshop - SANDY Offerings Nov12

American Red Cross Training for Red Cross volunteers and partners who are planning on volunteering in Disaster Health Services or partnering in their respective organizations (e.g., Medical Reserve Corps). Register for a session now by clicking a date below: Thu, Nov 1, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT Sat, Nov 3, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT Mon, Nov 5, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Wed, Nov 7, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Fri, Nov 9, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Sun, Nov 11, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Tue, Nov 13, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Thu, Nov 15, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Sat, Nov 17, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Mon, Nov 19, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet