Module 2: Core competencies of Nurses responding to disaster

Competencies

• Knowledge

• skills

• attitude

Core competencies of nurses in responding to MCI

• critical thinking skill

• assessment skill

• technical skill

• communication

Critical thinking

• identify and define a problem

• recognize assumptions

• evaluate arguments

• apply inductive and deductive reasoning

• flexibility

• preparedness

• strength of character

• ability to triage

• prioritize and delegate

• taking risk

Assessment

• survey and information collection

• integral part of response mechanism and as a planning tool

technical skills

• demonstrate the safe administration of immunizations

• demonstrate knowledge of appropriate nursing interventions for adverse effects from medications administered

• demonstrate basic therapeutic interventions

• assess the needs for and initiate the appropriate isolation and decontamination procedure

• demonstrate knowledge and skill related to personal protection and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment

• demonstrate use of emergency communication equipment and information management techniques in an MCI response

Communication

• describe the local chain of command and the management system for emergency response during an MCI

• identify your roles, if possible within the emergency management system

• locate and describe the emergency response plan

• identify one’s own role in the emergency response plan

• describe principles of risk communication to group and individuals affected by exposure during an MCI

Core knowledge areas

• health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention

• healthcare systems and policy

• illness and disease management

• information and health care technologies

health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention

• possible threats

• describe community health issues related to disasters and mass casualty events

• define and distinguish the terms and terminologies

• describe the four phases of emergency management

• describe the local emergency response system for disasters

illness and disease management

• differences/similarities between an intentional biological attack and that of a natural disease outbreak

• identify the limits to one’s own knowledge and skills

• participate in regular emergency response drills

information and health care technologies

• describe use of emergency communication equipment that you will be required to use in an MCI response

• describe procedures for decontamination of self, others, and equipment

Role of PHN in a disaster

• assess the needs of the community

• conduct surveillance activities

• assure the health and safety of themselves

• maintain communication

• operate points of distribution

• provide on-site triage of victims as needed

• maintain nursing documentation

• assess the status of patients and triage

• establish the status of patients and triage

Role of PHN on a multidisciplinary response team

• widespread inclusion of country, regional and state-wide planning committees

• provide an initial opportunity for the PHN to share their unique abilities and experiences

• advise on community resources and make suggestions regarding program planning

• collaborating with other health and human service prodessionals

Professional roles of nurses

1. member of response team

2. first responder

3. coordinator

4. supervisor

5. investigator/epidemiologist

6. researcher

7. counselor