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VA Loma Linda partners with March Air Reserve Base to recertify Medical Technicians

Air Force Master Sgt. Tara Marino draws blood from a patient at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Loma Linda, California, August 16, 2023. Marino was one of three Air Force Reservists that drilled at the hospital to recertify medical skills such as drawing blood, suturing and orthopedic splinting. (Photo by Public Affairs Specialist Roger Deguzman)
Air Force Master Sgt. Tara Marino draws blood from a patient at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Loma Linda, California, August 16, 2023. Marino was one of three Air Force Reservists that drilled at the hospital to recertify medical skills such as drawing blood, suturing and orthopedic splinting. (Photo by Public Affairs Specialist Roger Deguzman)
By Brandon Murray

March Air Reserve Base personnel partnered with VA Loma Linda healthcare teams in critical care areas such as the emergency department and intensive care unit to recertify certain skills such as suturing, orthopedic splinting and more at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans’ Hospital last week.

The partnership comes as part of a years-long Competency Agreement March Air Reserve Base has with Jerry L. Pettis Veterans’ Memorial Hospital, which allows Reservists to train in the dynamic hospital environment. This agreement creates training opportunities the Reservists may not otherwise have access to on base, such as working directly with live patients and conducting certain medical procedures like drawing blood.

“Getting this kind of skill set established is very difficult when we’re only given two weeks a year to train,” said Lt. Col. Paul Krug. “This is a venue that’s very convenient for our members to come exercise and train to the fullest degree.”

The Reservists embedded with VA Loma Linda treatment teams to refine their skills.

“They’re so great with keeping us involved,” said Master Sgt. Tara Moreno. “I’m never nervous to ask them about anything and they’re always excited to share information.”

While the main goal of the mission was to sharpen and recertify certain technical skills, working within the ED and ICU teams at VA Loma Linda gave the Reservists the opportunity to learn about the challenges of working in a fast-paced, dynamic healthcare environment.

“In emergency nursing, you have to be proactive, diligent and always communicating,” said Scott Moore, a staff nurse at VA Loma Linda. “I also always teach people I’m precepting to have a sense of urgency, because while it may not always be busy, two seconds from now you could be underwater.”

Overall, the experience was beneficial for both parties, painting an optimistic picture for the future of healthcare services at VA Loma Linda.

“This is such a win-win because it also doubles as a recruitment tool for the VA,” said Krug. “VA staff train with our skilled healthcare providers who then see what a great place the VA is to work in. There have been many situations where members who train at their local VA’s get employed there. We’re already planning out several more visits with different groups of providers.”