Health Care Specialist (68W)
Injured or wounded Soldiers need immediate treatment, so when Army physicians aren't available, the Health Care Specialist is authorized to step in to provide basic and emergency medical treatment.
The Health Care Specialist is primarily responsible for providing emergency medical treatment, limited primary care and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury or illness. Some of your duties as a Health Care Specialist may include:
Administering emergency medical treatment to battlefield casualties
Assisting with outpatient and inpatient care and treatment
Interviewing patients and recording their medical histories
Taking patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure
Preparing blood samples for laboratory analysis
Keeping health records and clinical files up-to-date
Giving shots and medicines to patients
Preparing patients, operating rooms, equipment and supplies for surgery
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Training
Job training for a Health Care Specialist consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in patient care. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:
Patient care techniques
Emergency medical techniques
Methods of sterilizing surgical equipment
Plaster-casting techniques
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Helpful Skills
Helpful attributes include:
An interest in helping and caring for others
An ability to communicate effectively
An ability to work under stressful conditions
An interest in chemistry, biology, psychology, general science and algebra
Attention to detail
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Advanced Responsibilities
Advanced level Health Care Specialists supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Health Care Specialist, you may be involved in:
Administering emergency and routine medical treatment to battle and non-battle casualties
Assisting with outpatient care and treatment
Supervising field and clinical medical facilities under the supervision of a physician, nurse or physician's assistant
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Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Health Care Specialist will help prepare you for a future with civilian hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or rehabilitation centers. With a Health Care Specialist background, you may consider a career as an Emergency Medical Technician, medical assistant, a medication aide or physician's assistant.
With continued study and experience, you may qualify for certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians as a First Responder.
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Civilian Certifications Earned
Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.
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