Additional Details for Nursing Homes on National Guard Deployment
As members are aware, members of the National Guard are currently deployed in New York City and are being deployed now statewide to assist nursing homes that have indicated need due to staffing shortages. LeadingAge NY has received many questions about this deployment. A representative from the National Guard will be reaching out to nursing homes regarding the deployment details using the contact person provided in the Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) survey completed on Jan. 31st. They are expected to be at nursing homes by Thurs., Feb. 10th.
Guard members can assist paraprofessional staff or otherwise provide general purpose assistance to nursing homes and perform non-direct patient care tasks (assist activity personnel, visitor screening, data entry, dietary work, etc.). The National Guard will be deployed in teams of two for a minimum of 40 hours per week (all shifts, though weekend availability may be limited). Nursing homes are expected to:
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE);
- Conduct basic orientation and training;
- Complete required health screenings, including tuberculin testing; and
- Complete Criminal History Record Checks (CHRCs) as required for duties assigned.
In our conversations with the Department, they have clarified that CHRCs will be required based on the nature of the assignment given. A record check is required if the guard members are working with residents or have access to resident rooms. The guard members should arrive with the proper paperwork to get a CHRC, and the Department will work to expedite the process so that you will get a quick response.
The guard members should also be fully vaccinated and have their vaccination card. The guard members may not have their booster at this point; DOH noted that the booster mandate is not in effect until Feb. 21st.
The National Guard will work directly with each nursing home on exact schedules and is expected to be available through March 15th.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828