With Ebola still a very present threat, many healthcare facilities are now mandating Ebola preparedness training for their staff. Facilities are developing policies that, in the case of an outbreak, ensure anyone who may come into contact with the virus understands how to protect themselves and prevent its spread to others. This is important for all levels of staff, both clinical and non-clinical, from ICU nurses to administration—while a Receptionist at a hospital may not work directly with Ebola patients, for example, he or she will be the first to greet a potential patient and therefore must also be prepared.

In addition to providing their current staff with training, facilities are now bumping up their hiring for temporary roles, often on a 13-week basis, for both local and travel opportunities. Our clients currently have a heightened demand for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurses with an interest in infection control, Emergency Room Registered Nurses to take on the title of Ebola Preparedness Nurse, and Infectious Disease Nurses. Of course, those coming in with prior experience in infectious diseases—such as those employed during the H1N1 epidemic in 2009—and those who have obtained training on their own, are in especially high demand.

Those who are currently unemployed can make themselves more marketable through outside opportunities and training courses. For example, on October 21^st, an Ebola Educational Session was offered at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan to educate 5,000 healthcare professionals on the proper procedures when working with possible Ebola patients. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also provides a plethora of materials and information for familiarizing oneself with Ebola on their website and, in conjunction with the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and New York State, has been hosting a number of conference calls and webinars to further update healthcare professionals on the latest information regarding the spread of the disease.

“Ultimately, those looking to take on one of these short-term roles will have to ensure they do everything they can to familiarize themselves with the virus and its spread,” says Allison Fagan, Managing Director of Health Services at The Execu|Search Group. “Regardless of your title or involvement with patients, training is first and foremost in importance to ensure everyone stays safe.”

Training classes and materials include topics such as learning how to properly put on and remove protective suits and gear, how to properly communicate with colleagues in the stages of an Ebola patient entering the facility, and how to contain and prevent the spread of the virus. In addition to hands-on nurses, many facilities and third-party companies are now seeking Nurse Educators to assist in these trainings, either internally or as a service to other facilities. One of our clients, for example, is currently seeking Nurse Educators to make rounds to healthcare facilities and ensure the proper training is being given.

“Our clients are aware that this is an intimidating assignment and have been preparing themselves to compensate accordingly,” says Allison. “We encourage all our equipped healthcare professionals to consider assisting in this time of need and assure them that they will receive the proper training if they do so. In addition to helping out for a great cause, those taking on these roles will be given a unique opportunity to develop a specialized skill set.”