Southwest Virginia Healthcare Coalition (SVHC) is one of four Coalitions in the Virginia that supports the healthcare infrastructure with disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The Regional Healthcare Coordinator serves as the Director of the program with a staff of six full-time positions with additional support from part-time staff.
The service area is from Lynchburg to Bristol covering 39 jurisdictions. There are two offices that SVHC operates out of (Abingdon & Roanoke), however the main office for the Regional Healthcare Coordinator is the Roanoke office. This position works closely with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) which administers the grant funds for this program.
SVHC is a program of Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services (WVEMS Council) and this position is an employee of WVEMS Council. Salary is commensurate with experience in a pay range of $79,567.00 – 100,499.00. A complete benefit package is provided. The position will remain open until filled. See attached Job Description for additional information.
Submit interest letter, resume and any supporting documentation to:
Stephen Simon, Executive Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
News
Every agency in the WVEMS region, every hospital, and the WVEMS Council have entered into an agreement whereby the hospitals offer a ONE-FOR-ONE exchange of supply items specifically listed on the Standard List of Restocked Items. Please be aware that the listed items are the ONLY supply items that you are permitted to exchange at any hospital within our region per the agreement, and the exchange is limited to ONE per patient. For example, if you use two EZ-IO needles on a patient due to a failed attempt, you are entitled to ONE exchange needle. Not two. For other items such as IV catheters, you may exchange one-for-one for each one actually used on the patient.
Abuse of the ONE-FOR-ONE exchange jeopardizes our entire exchange process and could result in loss of all exchange privileges. Abuses of the exchange program will be reported to the provider's OMD and agency officials to be dealt with accordingly.
Please watch for more information regarding the exchange process for specific hospitals. Remember that this supply exchange program is a benefit provided through the generosity of our hospitals and it can be rescinded at any time.
The WVEMS Council recently received a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services for the purchase of i-gel® Resus Pack airways for the region. This grant is to assist in the conversion specified by the WVEMS Regional Medical Direction Committee in our most recent protocols. Your field coordinators have begun delivering the i-gel devices to the agencies for future implementation.
All EMS agencies will receive one set of i-gel Resus Packs in sizes 3, 4 and 5 for each licensed EMS vehicle. Once your agency has received the i-gels, your Operational Medical Director will determine when to implement them.
All hospitals in our region have been contacted about i-gel implementation and exchange and they are working with their supply chains to ensure that you are able to exchange “i-gel for i-gel.” While we are working to streamline this process, we appreciate your understanding if the hospital that you transport to does not have an i-gel for exchange, you may receive a King Airway instead of an i-gel until stock is depleted. Please note that the i-gel, like the King airways, will be available for a ONE-FOR-ONE exchange.
We are currently working with Intersurgical (i-gel manufacturer) to have a live training session in each planning district. We will keep you posted on the dates. Below, you will find a video from Intersurgical with information and direction for placement of the i-gel Resus Pack.
First responders are repeatedly exposed to other people's traumatic experiences. This can leave first responders with memories, images, sounds, and smells that linger long after the event is over. This is called Vicarious Trauma. Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, a CSB based in Roanoke, is now offering telehealth appointments to assist. pdf Please see this FLYER for more information. (1009 KB)
Please read and become familiar with this resource document. Remember that approval to transport to alternate destinations is a decision to be made by YOUR OMD. The WVEMS Medical Direction Committee is considering this matter. Watch for further information! pdf WHITE PAPER - TRANSPORT TO ALTERNATE SITES (201 KB)
WVEMS COVID-19 Protocols and Guidance Updated
The WVEMS Council’s Regional Medical Direction committee has continually updated the COVID-19 Protocol. A simplified version was recently posted. The protocol includes a link to a reference document which will be updated continually. In the protocol, there is a QR code and a clickable link to the reference document. Please use the link to access this information rather than printing it, as it will be updated frequently.
The linked document is a live document that will change fluidly, so reference the link or QR code often. WVEMS Council will make every attempt to send out push notifications of revisions to this live document. However, please understand that our Regional Medical Direction Committee physicians are updating this document directly, so notice of revisions may not reach Council staff immediately. Please check the link often!
Also, please see the attached document that outlines our UPDATED decontamination policy for drug boxes (sample attached). When you exchange a drug box at a hospital or FSED, you must complete a Drug Box Decontamination Procedure Form. As we learn more about COVID-19, this document will be revised again. In the event that the details of this document change, we will communicate the changes with you and make sure that you have the most up-to-date information.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office or if you have specific protocol concerns or questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LINK TO WVEMS EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROTOCOL (wvems.org/COVID-19)
pdf LINK TO DRUG BOX DECONTAMINATION DIRECTIVE (30 KB)
LINK TO GUIDANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE SERVICE AGENCIES
Some hospital pharmacies within the WVEMS region are currently experiencing a shortage of Lidocaine pre-filled syringes. As a substitute, pharmacies will provide a 100mg/5ml vial of Lidocaine during the shortage. Boxes will be appropriately marked.
Have you had any recent interraction with WVEMS? If so, please take a moment to complete a brief "Customer Experience Survey" and let us know how we're doing! Any time we might be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact a staff member. We look forward to hearing from you!
Visit VAEMSjobs.com to find postings for employment in EMS and related fields across Virginia!