Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) - Western Australia
Thank you for your interest in Disaster Medical Assistance Team - Western
Australia. DMAT is an exciting initiative, unique to Western Australia,
which is leading the way in civilian medical team preparedness within Australia.
History:
Following the Bali bombing in 2002 and the South East Asian tsunami in 2004, recommendations were made to develop civilian medical team capabilities within Australia to respond to incidents within the State, Australia or Overseas. The West Australian Department of Health, Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit (DMPU) received funding from Emergency Management Australia to research DMATs and develop a model for use initially in Western Australia. To date DPMU has appointed a project officer, purchased self-sustainability equipment and are in the processing of developing equipment lists to be used during deployments. A modular structure has been developed which covers both Response Units (that will be self sustainable), Support Units (that will work in existing infrastructure such as hospitals) and a Support Section that includes logisticians and other expertise required to support the team i.e. health logisticians, biomedical engineers, pharmacists etc.The development of DMATs in WA now requires volunteers to join the DMAT. Volunteers will be screened for suitability and trained appropriately prior to deployments. Once you are on the volunteer database, you will be considered for deployments on the Disaster Medical Assistance Team.
Who should apply?
The modular structure of the DMAT requires the following volunteers:- Doctors
- Surgeons - General, Trauma, Orthopaedic, Burns and Plastics, Paediatric
- Anesthetists
- Physicians - Emergency, ICU, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine
- General Practitioners
- Microbiologists
- Mental Health
- Nurses - ED, ICU, Theatre, Burns, Plastics, Paediatric, Surgical, Orthopaedic, Public Health, Infection Control, Midwifery and Mental Health
- Environmental Health Officers
- Pharmacists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Paramedics
- Communications Experts
- Logistics Officers
- Physiotherapists
Staff with an interest in and commitment to Disaster Medicine / Response are encouraged to apply.
Basic
Requirements for Participation:
Applicants are to read Basic Requirements for Participation
in DMAT WA.
Application Process:
Applicants are to discuss their interest, ability to be deployed at short notice and exercise and training requirements with their direct line manager before they apply.The application process consists of 5 phases as follows:
Phase 1
- For Health Intranet staff - Complete the self-registration form on-line.
- For staff without access to the health intranet - download the manual registration form and fax to the Disaster Preparedness and Management Unit on (08) 9222 2304.
- Applicants line manager to complete employer acknowledgement form and statement of employer support.
Phase 2
- Applications will be assessed.
Phase 3
- Screening - If you are deemed a potential DMAT member, you will be asked to submit the following:
- Statement addressing selection criteria of relevant JDF- made available after phase 2.
- Curriculum Vitae and credential verification information (i.e. copies of qualifications, course attendance etc)
- Signed Code of Conduct / Ethics acknowledgement form.
Phase 4
- Interview
Phase 5
- Successful applicants will be offered a position on the DMAT subject to successful:
- Working with Children Screening.
- Criminal Record Screening.
- Dental screening.
- Physical screening.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be offered a position on the general disaster volunteer database.
Non Department of Health employees will be required to complete HR payment processes (For use during deployments).
DMAT members will be vaccinated, undergo training and given a password to the DMAT members section of the web page.