Combat Medical Technician

Role

• assisting with the management of surgical, medical and psychiatric casualties from the onset of the condition until the casualty is admitted to a hospital offering specialist care. This capacity is to include the immediate necessary first aid and other sustaining procedures required to hold a casualty for a limited period in a non-hospital situation.
• undertaking the administrative procedures and documentation for casualties in field units, medical reception stations and unit medical centres, including those required for and during casualty

  Class 3 and 2 standards

• Trained in anatomy, physiology and first aid.
• Has a general understanding of medical terminology and is capable of carrying out first aid in an emergency situation until expert medical assistance is available
• Works under supervision to provide assistance to medical officers in field units and medical reception stations.
• Assists in setting up field medical units and is trained in medical fieldcraft including the use of radio equipment, navigation by foot or vehicle across country and field medical equipment
• Capable of carrying out basic nursing procedures
• Initiates and maintains casualty documentation and supply/equipment documentation
• Recognises abnormalities in casualty observations, body appearances and consciousness levels
• Trained in basic life support to UK Resuscitation Council guidelines
• Trained in Army environmental health issues at unit level

  Class 1 standard

• As for Class 2 and 3, but with additional training and experience
• Provides health advice to non medical junior commanders
• Has a good understanding of anatomy and physiology
• Is able to take control of an emergency situation
• Is trained in basic diagnostic techniques and able to report findings to medical services
• Advises on basic field hygiene
• Capable of advanced first aid and using advanced resuscitation techniques
• Administers non-controlled drugs ordered by a medical officer
• Administers drugs by oral route, inhalations, plus intradermal-, intramuscular- and subcutaneous injection
• Sutures simple wounds
• Maintains, or supervises the maintenance of, and indents for medical equipment
• Trains junior medical assistants

Further progression by rank

• At the rank of corporal, the combat medical technician also supervises and controls medical assistants working in medical unit departments, such as medical section 2 i/c in a close support medical regiment.
• At the rank of sergeant or staff sergeant, the combat medical technician takes charge of a department, accounting for equipment and carrying out the administrative duties for soldiers within the department, medical section commander in a close support medical regiment or a role 2 medical treatment facility within a general support medical regiment.
• At the rank of warrant officer, the combat medical technician supervises a number of departments, and maintains discipline and morale within those departments, providing for the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit.