Missouri health care workers Archives

State of Missouri recruiting medical personnel across state for special COVID-19 assistance team

April 4, 2020 By Ashley Byrd

from press release

The State of Missouri recruiting for its specialized health care team that responds to critical health emergencies, asking health care students, retired doctors, and nurses to supplement the state’s current health care workforce.

The Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team (MO DMAT-1) works throughout the state and deploys to provide patients with on-site medical care. The state team is fully equipped to respond on-site with mobile medical facilities when required. They can also be assigned to assist in traditional health care settings, performing their jobs there just as they would at their primary job.

Health care professionals are urged to apply online at https://missourionestart.com/moshcf/.

Individuals are needed with backgrounds in the fields of:

Medicine
Nursing
Allied Health
Dentistry
Biomedicine
Laboratory Science
Logistics
Communications

“Medical professionals and first responders across the state are working tirelessly to meet the rising needs and challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis,” Governor Mike Parson said in a press release. “We are calling on all available medical professionals to support the effort to fight the virus by joining a critical reserve unit now focusing on providing care in high need areas across the state. Their efforts can help save the lives of their fellow Missourians.”

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Missouri One Start Division are helping in the recruitment effort.

During the COVID-19 response, MO DMAT-1 has deployed medical personnel to augment staffing at Golden Valley Hospital in Clinton and Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.

Learn more: https://sema.dps.mo.gov/operations/modmat-momort.htm.

COVID-19 testing available for Missouri first responders, health care workers WITH symptoms

March 28, 2020 By Ashley Byrd

From DHSS press release

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is expediting COVID-19 testing and test results for some first responders and other public health and safety professionals by processing their specimens through the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory.

Missourians working in health care and public safety who have had close contact with suspected COVID-19 patients and subsequently experience symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath are eligible, according to the department’s public statement today:

“The lab can provide test results within 24 hours of receiving the specimen — a faster rate than the 8-9 days of some commercial laboratories. This means front-line professionals who test negative and recover from symptoms may return to work sooner and continue providing critical services to fellow Missourians.”

For testing at the state laboratory, first responders must meet two criteria:

· Close contact with a suspected COVID-19 patient
· Symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath

First responders who meet these criteria can ask their health care providers to call the 24-hour hotline at 877-435-8411 to request testing. If the patient is approved, the hotline representatives will assist with the PUI (person under investigation) form and send a copy to the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory.

For more information, please see the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services health update::https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/update32320.pdf