Section 641.113.5. Public health response team.

         113.5(1) General requirements.

            a.               An entity may make application to the department to be a sponsor agency pursuant to subrule 113.3(1). An individual may make application to be a member of a PHRT pursuant to subrule 113.4(1).

            b.               The department shall establish the Iowa Volunteer Public Health Response Team Operational Procedures Manual. The operational procedures shall be in writing and shall be provided to each PHRT member. All PHRT members and sponsor agencies shall follow the PHRT operational procedures as established by the department. The Iowa Volunteer Public Health Response Team Operational Procedures Manual is available through the Iowa Department of Public Health, Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075.

            c.               If the department notifies a PHRT member or sponsor agency of a violation of Iowa Code section 135.143, this chapter, or an operational procedure, the PHRT member or sponsor agency shall correct the deficiency or violation identified by the department within a time frame determined by the department. If a PHRT member or sponsor agency fails to correct a deficiency or violation within the time frame identified by the department, or if the deficiency or violation constitutes an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, the department may initiate action to revoke approval pursuant to subrule 113.3(2) or 113.4(2).

         113.5(2) Team composition.

            a.               A PHRT shall be comprised of health care professionals and administrative personnel as identified in the Iowa Volunteer Public Health Response Team Operational Procedures Manual.

            b.               The sponsor agency or department, as applicable, shall be responsible for maintaining adequate staffing.

         113.5(3) Licensure and educational requirements.

            a.               Each PHRT member shall hold and maintain an active unrestricted license, registration, or certification to practice in Iowa (if applicable) in the member’s respective medical or health care profession.

            b.               Each PHRT member shall complete required training as listed in the Iowa Volunteer Public Health Response Team Operational Procedures Manual, including training specified in respective team annexes.

            c.               A sponsor agency may provide specific position training to PHRT members as determined to be necessary by the sponsor agency and as approved by the department.

            d.              The department shall develop and implement training exercises to test the team’s notification process, deployment readiness, and response capabilities.

            e.               The sponsor agency or department, as applicable, shall be responsible for documenting each PHRT member’s completion of required training.

         113.5(4) Deployment and standdown.

            a.               PHRTs shall prepare to deploy within two to four hours of notification by the department. PHRTs shall not self-deploy and shall not be covered by the provisions of Iowa Code section 135.143 and this chapter if the PHRTs self-deploy or are deployed by another agency or entity.

            b.               Deployment and standdown procedures are outlined in the Iowa Volunteer Public Health Response Team Operational Procedures Manual and shall be followed by all PHRT members.

[ARC 0578C, IAB 2/6/13, effective 3/13/13; ARC 2476C, IAB 3/30/16, effective 5/5/16]