ROCKFORD — Northern Illinois Emergency Medical Services at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center is offering free training that will allow area EMTs and paramedics to assist with vaccinations if the H1N1 flu outbreak worsens.
Dr. Eric Benink, the hospital’s vice president and chief medical officer, said the program was developed in response to a proclamation by Gov. Pat Quinn expanding the scope of practice for emergency medical technicians in the event their help might be needed by county health departments or hospitals at public vaccination clinics.
He said the four-hour program, developed by Dr. Jane Pearson, the hospital’s medical director for emergency medical services, is for those in EMT intermediate and EMT paramedic classifications.
“One of the concerns is that in order to have a rapid vaccination of the general public against this potentially lethal virus we need more resources to provide those vaccinations,” Benink said.
He said the training will include a module that teaches the science of vaccinations, how they work and how H1N1 flu and seasonal flu compare. That module will be followed by an exam on which the training participant must score 80 percent or better to continue to a second module on how to prepare and administer the three types of the H1N1 vaccine.
The final part of the training, he said, is a skills validation demonstrating what was learned in the training modules. Those who pass will be placed on a list indicating that they are available to volunteer time at a county health department or hospital vaccination clinic.
Training sessions, all from 6 to 9 p.m., are scheduled for:
* OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center EMS office, 5510 E. State St., Thursday.
* CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling, Friday.
* FHN Memorial Hospital, 1045 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, Tuesday, Nov. 24.
* Perry Memorial Hospital, 530 Park Ave., Princeton, Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Call 815-395-5254 for more information or to register for the training.
Staff writer Mike DeDoncker can be reached at 815-987-1382 or mdedoncker@rrstar.com.
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