Utah National Guard sending 50 to help long-term care facilities statewide

CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah — Utah’s National Guard announced their COVID-19 Joint Task Force activated 50 service members to help long-term care facilities across the state.

Citing the increase in COVID-19 cases amidst the omicron surge and the heavily affected healthcare system, the Guard said that the Utah Department of Health requested support for staff shortages through February.

“Utah National Guard members have provided invaluable assistance to the UDOH during the pandemic across multiple mission areas,” said Dr. Michelle Hofmann, Utah Department of Health deputy director. “We appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

The service members will attend a two-day training course by the Utah Department of Health through Avalon Healthcare Group. The training, Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program, was approved by the Utah Nurse Aide Registry. After training is completed, each service member will meet the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements to provide nursing- related services under the general supervision of a licensed nurse.

Volunteers from the National Guard took time away from their civilian jobs to help meet this mission. 

“We’ve been battling COVID in the facilities every day,” said Brian Dross, vice president of operations for Avalon Health Care. 

Avalon is among the care center groups that asked the state for help caring for their residents and patients. 

30 @UTNationalGuard service members in training right now to help long term care facilities struggling without enough workers. 20 more service members start training on Thursday. They’ll go where they’re needed over the next month. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/IJ4QbeDyMD

— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) February 1, 2022

“With this recent surge, we have a lot of staff throughout the state calling in and creating challenges in the facilities,” Dross said. 

“They’re volunteering to step in and do a duty or do a job that they have not done,” said Lt. Col. Erick Wiedmeier. “This will be a new realm for many of them.” 

The Utah Department of Health requested additional Guard support for facilities affected by the Omicron surge.  The 50 service members responded to the call for help. 

After the two-day training this week, they will be assigned to work at various care centers based on their needs through February. 

“Guards personnel are very good at adapting to the situation they are in,” Lt. Col. Wiedmeier said.  “All these service members are apt at stepping into a new situation and being able to control and help a situation under the direction of that care facility’s nursing staff.”  

“Our Soldiers and Airmen are dedicated to supporting the state of Utah and our health care community partners,” said Brig. Gen. Dar Craig, director of joint staff. “We are proud to do our part to alleviate the burden of health care facilities affected by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.”

According to a news release, guard members will be assigned to a particular facility for one or two weeks at a time, and be rotated as needed to other facilities experiencing staffing shortages.