Two Maine National Guard members, Army Pvt. 1st Class Heather Kervin, left, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Devin Lincoln, arrive Friday at Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville to help in the monoclonal antibody clinic in nonclinical roles. Courtesy of Northern Light Inland Hospital

WATERVILLE — Two members of the Maine National Guard arrived at Northern Light Inland Hospital on Friday morning to help in nonclinical roles under a deployment order from Gov. Janet Mills to assist hospitals as the surging COVID-19 pandemic stretches hospital staffs to the brink across the state.

The hospital said in a news release Friday evening that Terri Vieira, president of Northern Light Inland Hospital, welcomed Army Pvt. 1st Class Heather Kervin and Air Force Staff Sgt. Devin Lincoln. Kervin and Lincoln will be helping in the monoclonal antibody clinic for COVID-19 patients in nonclinical roles while working under the supervision of nursing staff, the hospital said.

Under Mills’ deployment order, Guard members may be redeployed to another site at any time if there is a higher need at another health care facility.

Kervin said that all deployed members took an online temporary nurse aid course in addition to an all-day infection prevention training held at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, according to Inland’s release. Guard members were taught how to properly use personal protective equipment, were fitted for N95 masks, and completed additional training.

Kervin and Lincoln have been instructed on how to restock supplies, escort patients to and from the monoclonal antibody clinic, disinfect, take patient vitals, and observe patients during and after their treatment.

“We are so grateful for their help,” said Courtney Cook, a registered nurse who is director of birthing and assists with the monoclonal antibody clinic. “It takes a half hour for a treatment during which a nurse administers the monoclonal antibody infusion, and then the COVID-19 patient needs to be observed for an hour after the treatment is finished.”

Inland said that having additional people trained to do observation means more patients can be treated each day.