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. Health Care Specialists are often called "combat medics" in the Army, because some Soldiers in this Military Occupation Specialty are assigned to deploy with Army combat units, and provide emergency medical treatment directly on the battlefield. Other Heath Care Specialists are assigned to military hospitals and clinics to assist doctors and nurses with the health care needs of patients.
Duties performed by Soldiers in this Military Occupation Specialty include:
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Administer emergency medical treatment to battlefield casualties.
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Assist with outpatient and inpatient care and treatment.
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Interview patients and recording their medical histories.
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Take patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
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Prepare blood samples for laboratory analysis.
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Keep health records and clinical files up-to-date.
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Give shots and medicines to patients.
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Prepare patients, operating rooms, equipment and supplies for surgery.