The Barren River District Health Department will conduct a free day-long workshop on May 22 in Bowling Green to provide basic training for volunteers and medical professionals who are interested in offering assistance during public health emergencies. The workshop runs from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green (1021 Wilkinson Trace).

The workshop will provide an orientation and training for the Kentucky Health Emergency Listing of Professionals for Surge (K HELPS)/Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program.

 “This upcoming workshop will play in integral part in planning response efforts that protect our communities in the event of a large-scale public health emergency,” said Dennis Chaney, Health Department Director. “We are seeking both medical and non-medical personnel who are interested in helping others make a difference in our communities.”

Topic sessions for this year’s workshop include orientation to the MRC and K HELPS programs, introduction to the Strategic National Stockpile, and setting up and operation of a Point of Dispensing (POD) clinic. Free continuing education credits (CEUs) will be provided for most professionals.

While all health workers willing to volunteer are invited to register, the current emphasis is on recruiting physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, radiological technologists, respiratory therapists, emergency medical services personnel, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, and communications, administrative and non-medical personnel.

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Ann Bray at 270-781-2490 ext. 217 or carola.bray@ky.gov.  To register online visit https://www.train.org, course name Western Kentucky Medical Reserve Corps Regional POD Workshop or enter course ID: 1021265.