Short Description
In emergencies or in combat, physicians are not always immediately available to treat the injured or wounded.
When a physician is not available, medical service technicians provide basic and emergency medical treatment. They also assist medical officers in caring for sick and injured patients.
What They Do
Medical service technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Examine and treat emergency or battlefield patients
- Interview patients and record their medical histories
- Take patients’ temperature, pulse, and blood pressure
- Prepare blood samples for laboratory analysis
- Keep health records and clinical files up to date
- Give shots and medicines to patients
Helpful Attributes
Helpful school subjects include chemistry, biology, psychology, general science, and algebra. Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Ability to work under stressful conditions
- Interest in helping others
Training Provided
Job training consists of classroom instruction, depending on specialty. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. Course content typically includes:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Basic nursing care
- Study of the human body
- Minor surgical procedures
- Clinical laboratory procedures
- Methods for diagnosing diseases
Work Environment
Medical service technicians usually work in hospitals and clinics on land or aboard ships. Medical service technicians may give emergency medical treatment in the field.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian medical service technicians work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. They perform duties similar to those performed by medical service technicians in the military.
Civilian medical service technicians are known for the type of work they do: emergency medical technicians treat victims of accidents, fire, or heart attacks; medical assistants work for physicians and perform routine medical and clerical tasks; medication aides give shots and medicine under the close supervision of physicians; and physician assistants perform routine examinations and treatment for physicians.
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