Team Positions & Descriptions
Please contact the IMERT office for more information about these and other team positions.
Mental Health Specialist
General Team
IMERT PHYSICIAN
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The IMERT Physician is responsible for supervising
all medical care provided by the Team and directly providing medical
care to critically injured victims in the Medical Zone.
Description of Duties
- Makes recommendations concerning Team member's fitness for deployment
and fitness for duty while on deployment based on medical screening
at time of activation - will assess physical health of team members
- Supervises subordinates
- Ensures all Team personnel are kept informed of mission objectives
and status changes
- Evaluates and advises local public health agencies on medical issues
when requested by the IC leader
- Provides medical advice to local EMS personnel as necessary
- Ensures appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used
by all members
- Ensures Universal Precautions for all team members against exposure
to communicable disease
- Provides direct medical care to Team members and victims as appropriate
- Examines and treats wounds and illnesses due to the effects of
a NBC or mass casualty event
- Performs diagnostic tests as appropriate
- Prepares performance evaluations for assigned personnel
Knowledge
- Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree
- Valid and unrestricted State licensure to practice medicine
- Board Eligible (BE) or Board-Certified (BC) and actively practicing
emergency medicine or trauma surgery; or
- Other medical specialty (Family Practice/ Internal Medicine/Pediatrics)
and
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification, and/or
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, and/or
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
- Extensive knowledge of ICS
- Extensive knowledge of personnel management and supervision
- Extensive knowledge of methods of support of disaster victims (participation
in 2 or more disaster drills as per institutional requirements)
- Extensive knowledge of the terminology and capabilities of the
major items in the equipment cache
- Extensive knowledge of Universal Precautions; and
- Comprehensive knowledge of acute/critical medical management of
chemical and biological casualties
Skills
- Manage subordinates in stressful work environments
- Significant current experience in the practice of pre-hospital
care; and
- Capable of searching written and computer databases for NBC information
Abilities
- Possess good interagency coordination skills; work well with technical
experts, local officials, and other organizations; and
- Meet moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Intermediate ICS training; and
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
- Participate in hospital and/or community disaster drills
IMERT NURSE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The nurse is responsible for assisting with medical care of decontaminated
victims in the Medical Zone.
Description of Duties
- Assesses nursing needs to provide safe and efficient nursing care
- Records vital signs of all Team members at regular intervals
- Works collaboratively with medical personnel in the identification
and management of potentially contaminated patients
- Performs triage of patients on entry to medical services
- Assesses injuries and illnesses; performs resuscitation, inserts
intravenous lines, and secures airways; treats shock victims
- Provides medical services to Team members under physician control
- Examines and treats wounds and illnesses due to the effects of
a NBC or mass casualty event
- Performs diagnostic tests as appropriate
- Maintains complete and current clinical and nursing records
- Ensures sufficient IMERT drug supply levels
- Maintains medical records for all deployed Team members
- Assists in providing medical advice to local EMS personnel
- Assists in non-ambulatory decon litter positions
- Assists with post decon ambulatory patient monitoring if workload
indicates
- Performs all BLS duties as outlined
Knowledge
- Valid and unrestricted State licensure to practice nursing
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Trauma Life Support
(BTLS) certification
- Working knowledge of Universal Precautions
- Working knowledge of supervisory practices; and
- Extensive knowledge of ICS
Skills
- Significant current experience as a nursing supervisory in a clinical
setting
- Capable of searching written and computer databases for NBC information
- Manage subordinates in stressful work environments; and
- Experience in preventive medicine (vaccinations, etc.)
Abilities
- Possess good interagency coordination skills; work well with technical
experts, local officials, and other organizations; and
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Intermediate ICS training; and
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
IMERT ALS Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The ALS Specialist is responsible for assisting in
providing ALS level medical care to decontaminated victims in the Medical
Zone.
Description of Duties
- Works collaboratively with medical personnel in the management
of decontaminated patients
- Assesses injuries and illnesses; performs resuscitation, inserts
intravenous lines, and secures airways; treats shock victims
- Provides medical services to Team members under physician control
- Examines and treats wounds and illnesses due to the effects of
a NBC or mass casualty event
- Performs diagnostic tests as appropriate
- Maintains complete and current clinical records
- Assists in providing medical advice to local EMS personnel; and
- Provides other medical functions as directed
Knowledge
- State licensure at the EMT-P level; and
- Working knowledge of Universal Precautions
Skills
- Recent clinical competency and experience in providing pre-hospital
care at the appropriate level on a regular basis; and
- Capable of searching written and computer databases for NBC information
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
IMERT BLS Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The BLS Specialist is responsible for assisting in
providing BLS level medical care to decontaminated victims in the Medical
Zone one.
Description of Duties
- Works collaboratively with medical personnel in the management
of decontaminated patients
- Assesses injuries and illnesses; performs resuscitation, secures
airways; treats shock victims
- Provides medical services to Team members under physician control
- Examines and treats wounds and illnesses due to the effects of
a NBC or mass casualty event
- Performs diagnostic tests as appropriate
- Maintains complete and current clinical records; and
- Provides other medical functions as directed
Knowledge
- State licensure at the EMT-B level or higher; and
- Working knowledge of Universal Precautions
Skills
- Recent clinical competency and experience in providing pre-hospital
care at the appropriate level on a regular basis; and
- Capable of searching written and computer databases for NBC information
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
Other General Team Positions
Team positions have been, or are in the process of being, developed
for the following:
Dentist,
Physician Assistant, and other
Allied Health Professionals
Functional Description
The Allied Health Specialist is responsible for assisting in providing medical care to decontaminated victims in the Medical Zone one.
Description of Duties
- Works collaboratively with medical personnel in the management of decontaminated patients
- Performs diagnostic tests as appropriate
- Maintains complete and current clinical records; and
- Provides other medical functions as directed
Knowledge
- State licensure at the appropriate level or higher for their specific skills set; and
- Working knowledge of Universal Precautions
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
IMERT Safety Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The Safety Specialist is responsible for insuring operations are conducting in a safe manor for all team members. The Safety Specialist is also responsible providing safety education to team members prior and during deployments.
Description of Duties
- Assist members of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT)
- Act as the unit’s Safety Officer.
- Act as the liaison with the IMERT Administrator concerning safety issues.
- Act as advisor to the IMERT Team Leader concerning safety issues.
- Act as a liaison with other organizations concerning safety issues.
- Maintain the appropriate safety supplies and equipment in the unit.
Knowledge
- Hold a valid driver’s license.
- Possess good verbal skills when dealing with the public.
- Be able to maintain composure during high stress situations.
- Possess a current CPR and First Aid Training Card
- Possess ICS – safety certification
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Skills
- Act as point-of-contact with IDPH personnel and IMERT concerning medical issues.
- Stay current with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
- Maintain the appropriate safety equipment (i.e.; fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, exit signs, etc) in IMERT trailers.
- Ensure the unit’s safety equipment is functional.
- Ensure the unit has a sufficient quantity of safety supplies and the supplies are up to date
- Ensure the unit’s safety programs are kept current and are briefed to all unit personnel.
- Ensure that each unit member is equipped with the appropriate PPE.
- Plan and schedule the appropriate safety training for unit members.
- Develop a Hazardous Communications program within the unit.
- Develop a Lock Out/Tag Out program within the unit.
- Perform periodic safety inspections in unit offices, garages, and meeting spaces.
- Refer any correspondence, e-mail, memos, or telephone calls dealing with IMERT safety issues to the IMERT Statewide Team Coordinator.
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
IMERT Communications Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The Communications Specialist is responsible for assisting the IMERT Team in all communications during a deployment.
Description of Duties
- Assist members of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT).
- Reports to the Field Administrator, Administrator or Team leader as assigned.
- Insure there is sufficient communications equipment to complete the assigned IMERT mission.
- Ensure each piece of communications equipment functions properly and within specifications.
- Perform periodic performance checks and Preventive Maintenance Inspections (PMI) on the team’s communications equipment.
- Ensure sufficient accessory equipment is available (i.e.; microphones, antennas, spare batteries, and carrying cases) for the team.
- Be familiar with emergency services radio procedures and agency call signs.
- Provide familiarization training in radio operations to each team member.
Knowledge
- Hold a valid driver’s license.
- Be physically capable of lifting and carrying heavy objects.
- Be physically capable of walking over rough terrain to remote sites.
- Possess good verbal skills when dealing with the public.
- Be able to maintain composure during high stress situations.
- Have prior training in the HF, VHF, and/or UHF radio maintenance career fields.
- Be current in CPR training.
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Skills
- Be familiar with installing and operating mobile radio UHF and VHF radio equipment.
- Be familiar with the operation of hand held UHF and VHF radio equipment.
- Be familiar with troubleshooting procedures to determine malfunctions in the radio equipment.
- Be proficient in the use of RF Wattmeters and VOM Multimeters for testing radio equipment.
- Be familiar with radio wave propagation and be able to determine the best location for radio installation and antenna erection.
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
IMERT Logistics Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The Logistics Specialist is responsible for assisting in providing logistical support.
Description of Duties
- Assist members of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT) .
- Assist with or procure transportation, operations and support equipment as needed by AOC/FAOC during deployment
- Assist members of the IMERT in deploying and erecting team assets.
- Assist members of the IMERT during triage and transportation of victims
- Function as safety observers for IMERT members during rescue operations and report safety concerns immediately to IMERT on-site Administrator, Team Leader or Safety Officer
- Provide security for the IMERT while deployed in the field
- Assist with various equipment setup and operation (i.e.: generators, lighting, etc.), with qualified operators
Knowledge
- Hold a valid driver’s license
- Possess good verbal skills when dealing with the public
- Be able to maintain composure during high stress situations
- Be current in CPR training
- Be current in First Aid training
- Possess ICS training
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
- Be physically capable of lifting and carrying heavy objects
- Be physically capable of walking over rough terrain to remote site
Skills
- Be familiar in the proper use of or current procedures in:
- various power tools (i.e.: generators, lighting, etc.)
- various rope knots used in rescue work.
- various types of maps (i.e.; aerial, topographical, mercator).
- lensatic compasses for use in land navigation.
- Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.
- traffic control and proper crowd control
- radio communications techniques
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
Mental Health Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Functional Description
The Mental Health Specialist is responsible for providing a safety and oversight mechanism to assure the well-being of the responders in a supportive manner, using components from critical stress management and psychological first aid.
Description of Duties
- Assist members of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team (IMERT)
- Provide direct and indirect support to the IMERT team members.
- Provide supportive observation to those on scene to assure that IMERT responders are working with-in healthy boundaries of stress management,
- Recognizing physical limitations (fatigue, hunger, working without injury),
- Recognizing limitations of immediate emotional consequences of working a disaster or emergency site (numbness, anger, irritation, overwhelm, fatigue, shock, despair, grief, guilt, etc)
- Recognizing situations that can lead to both typical and atypical stress responses and conditions.
Knowledge
- Hold a valid driver’s license.
- Possess good verbal skills when dealing with the public.
- Be able to maintain composure during high stress situations.
- Possess a current CPR and First Aid Training Card
- Possess ICS – safety certification
Ability
- Meet the moderate physical fitness requirement
Training Requirements
- Complete Basic ICS training
- Complete WMD/mass casualty educational session
- Complete NIMS training
- Additional Mental Health Training
Read more about the Mental Health Volunteer curriculum and training requirements
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