ID
10-509-1317
Name
Medical Unit Leader (NQS)
Status
Published
Version
1.2
Updated
1/4/2019 4:05:54 PM
Original Release
11/29/2017
Last Major Release
01/04/2019
Resource Category
Emergency Management
Primary Core Capability
Operational Coordination
Secondary Core Capability
 
Resource Kind
Personnel
Overall Function
The Medical Unit Leader manages a Medical Unit aid station, which provides treatment, care, and stabilization for ground or aeromedical transportation
Single resource
In conjunction with a NIMS typed team
NIMS Typed Team
 
In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit
NIMS Typed Unit
 
Description Notes
Not Specified
Supporting Core Capabilities
None
Types
Type Description
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: 1. Is a licensed clinician: physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner 2. Has primary responsibility over all aspects of patient care through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and other physical and mental conditions
Type 2The Medical Unit Leader: 1. Is a registered nurse (RN) or an Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic with community health/paramedic certification and experience, along with a background in public health 2. Provides first responder/first receiver and preventative public health and medical support to the Incident Management Team (IMT) and teams in the field 3. Manages a Medical Unit aid station, which provides treatment, care, and stabilization for ground or aeromedical transportation 4. Prepares medical emergency plans for handling injured or ill responders 5. Assists in public health-related issues at facilities supporting personnel 6. Coordinates medical monitoring of responders, including individual screening and rehabilitation throughout incident operations and demobilization 7. Establishes or transitions into a unit under the Logistics Section 8. Configures unit with personnel to support operations
Components
Component Notes  
EducationNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Graduate of an accredited medical school, osteopathic school, accredited nurse practitioner program, or physician assistant program
Type 2Graduate of a state-certified nursing or paramedic school as an RN or paramedic
TrainingNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents 3. ICS-300: Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents 4. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 5. IS-703: National Incident Management System Resource Management 6. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 7. G0191: ICS/EOC Interface 8. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 9. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection
ExperienceNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2, PLUS: Successful completion of the National Qualification System (NQS) Position Task Book (PTB) for the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 1 Medical Unit Leader, or equivalent Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) documentation
Type 21. Successful completion of the NQS PTB for the NIMS Type 2 Medical Unit Leader, or equivalent AHJ documentation 2. Experience as a paramedic in an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transport service or as an RN in an emergency room or primary care setting 3. Experience in one of the following: a. Federal/state Disaster Medical Assistance Team b. Regional/local Metropolitan Medical Response Team c. Military corpsman or pararescue jumper or field medic d. Independent Duty Medical Technician, member of a military field treatment team, or member of an IMT Medical Unit 4. Experience in public health interface or community paramedicine 5. Supervisory experience over other medical personnel
Physical/Medical FitnessPPE is mission specific and may vary by work environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves, and masks.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 21. Performs duties under moderate circumstances characterized by working consecutive 12-hour days under physical and emotional stress for sustained periods of time 2. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization recommendations for emergency responders 3. Ability to work wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
CurrencyNot Specified
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 1Same as Type 2
Type 2Functions in this position during an operational incident, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every two years
Professional and Technical Licenses and CertificationsCredentials in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) as the AHJ determines.
Component Types
Type Criteria
Type 11. State, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory-granted active status of legal authority to function as a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner 2. Current certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 3. Current Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration, if the state of primary registration grants prescriptive privileges
Type 21. State or nationally registered paramedic or licensed RN 2. Current certifications in ACLS and PALS
Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
This position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours, and is deployable for up to 14 days
Requestor may specify any additional qualifications necessary based on incident complexity and needs
720
Notes
References
Reference
FEMA, Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader
FEMA, National Qualification System Guide
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS)
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
FEMA, Emergency Responder Field Operations Guide (ER-FOG), October 2010
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Emergency Medical Services Education Agenda for the Future: A Systems Approach, June 2000
NHTSA, Guidance on Emergency Responder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism Incidents, June 2008
NHTSA, The National EMS Scope of Practice Model, February 2007
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), National Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, Physical Fitness Levels, October 2016
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted