Dreaming to Work as a Military Medical Officer

The military provides hundreds of medical jobs starting from medics to physicians as well as nurses and allied health careers. Some of the Military Medical Jobs are Dental specialists, Dentists, Dieticians, Medical Care Technicians, Nursing, Medical Service Technicians, Optometric Technicians, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Physician Assistants, Physicians and Surgeons. The military is divided into the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Each branch of the military has different needs and entrance requirements for medical professionals.

Responsibilities

A military medical officer has the following job responsibilities:

• Obtain and assess the medical histories of the patients
• Need to perform physical examination, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Order tests related to Electrocardiograms, laboratory studies and radiographs
• Collect specimens for pathological examinations.
• Find a solution for clinical problems, analyze the available data and diagnose the root cause of the problem.
• Provide counseling to the patients regarding the health issues, family planning, usage of drugs etc.
• Enter the patient details in permanent records for future reference
• A medical officer should be able to handle emergency conditions by providing life saving medications and procedures in case the relevant physician is not available
• The planning and practice of the surgical management of mass battlefield casualties and the logistical and administrative considerations of establishing and operating combat support hospitals
• Provide treatment and medications and help with the follow-up and rehabilitation of patients
• Promote general health by teaching military personnel the warning signs and symptoms of a disease.
• Supervise physical therapy programs referrals from a medical or dental officer, or other health care professional.

Educational Qualifications

The candidates must have a degree from an accredited college or university in their field of work. Specializations include Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Radiology, Surgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Rehabilitation Medicine and Anesthesiology.

Military personnel should pass a written examination and followed by a physical examination at a local Military Entrance Processing (MEPS) center prior to gaining admittance to military medical jobs. A military medical job requires a baccalaureate or advanced degree from a qualified institution which has included a physical therapy education. The candidate should be registered with the medical council of the state and should have three years of post graduate experience.

Skills

The candidates should have the following skill set:

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the entire human body
• Ability to manage emergency medical treatment
• Capable of performing surgeries and should possess high knowledge of surgical techniques
• Knowledge of sterilization as well as anesthetic techniques
• Good knowledge of medical ethics and also practicing them in their jobs
• Capable of planning, organizing, executing and directing of health care practices and activities of medical treatment facilities
• Ability to order and administer the drugs required for the treatment of military patients.
• Wide knowledge about the equipment used for specific treatments
• Should be aware of the medical terminology
• Be specialized in medicinal treatments and measures
• Ready to accept the overseas operation during the period of war or whenever required
• Needs to be fit and free from all major physical disorders
• Good communication skills
• Ability to train themselves soon in critical situations

Employment Outlook

Career Prospects and Salary

The military department of a country not only spends billions of dollars for building their power through weapons but also spends on the health care services for the welfare of its personnel and officers. Joining the military can be an excellent way to pay for the extensive educational requirements of some of the more advanced medical careers.

Another advantage of working in the military is that your living expenses are regularly paid in addition to your salary. Although a military medical job salary may not be as high as civilians' salaries, living expenses will be much less, and huge benefits such as healthcare, military pension, and more. Additionally, as a government employee, military medical job stability is high and has a perfect schedule and steady paycheck.

There are other benefits that a Medical Officer is entitled to, like the variable pay, incentive pay and other bonuses depending upon the performance.

Those who are courageous and ready to face challenges or be a part of unusual missions will have opportunities to practice in foreign countries, often in remote locations where patient care needs to be given under difficult conditions. The military medical jobs serve those people who are ready to sacrifice their life for the country, by bleeding at the battle fields, guarding during unconditional weathers and protecting the whole nation by staying away from their families.