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How Military Medics can Transition to Civilian EMS

 
Military medics
 
 

   The training and work experience of a military medic are different from those of civilians. Once the soldiers have returned from missions, assimilating to civilian EMS could be a huge challenge. Upon discharge, the military men can be assimilated into civilian service.

   Returning military medics find it difficult to apply their services and skills to civilian situations despite working with wounded soldiers for years. This is a frustrating scenario that is pushing many of them into desperation. A formal structure is in the works and has been adapted in some areas to allow the medics to assimilate into civilian service.

 

   Differences and Similarities in Training

 

   The health situations that medics in the military are required to handle are similar to what civilian doctors deal with on a daily basis. War situations come with injuries, diseases, and infections, just like the normal area around a clinic. It would, therefore, be surprising to realize that the two categories of medics do not assimilate naturally whenever military medics return.

   The basic treatment procedures for military and civilian medics are similar. Both can take the history of a patient, perform CPR, inoculations, and stabilization in case the patient has broken bones. In fact, a military medic who has been at an active battle zone will be more experienced in dealing with fractures and traumatic cases than the civilian medic. Army medics receive advanced training on life-saving techniques and intravenous procedures. Their training goes beyond the ordinary EMT level that civilian medics possess. Their skills might be higher in some areas than those possessed by civilian paramedics.

   Civilian medics are trained to handle situations common in particular areas. It explains why some specialize in tropical medicine, emergency handling, fractures, and such other areas. It is the difference in the cases that each group is expected to handle that make it impossible for the two groups to work together.

 

   Why Military Medics are different

 

   Evidently, military medics receive more advanced training than their civilian counterparts. Their training takes between 16 and 68 months, based on the areas they will be covering. Assimilating military medics into civilian EMS could, therefore, be an issue of overqualification. These military men have covered such areas as

   • EMT Skills

   • Field and practical exercises

   • Training on intravenous procedures

   On assignment, the medics will have to learn deeper about hemorrhage control, placement of chest seals and tubes, and other physical assistance training programs. This means that the medics will be highly trained but have a special focus on injuries and fractures.

 

   Licensing

 

   The challenge for most military medics seeking to transition into civilian service lies in licensing. The military does not offer the conventional training that civilian medics receive. The licensing procedures used for civilian medics also differ. In fact, the military does not offer licensing packages.

   Licensing organizations are working with military offices to determine how much training is enough for different levels of licensing. The military medics may also have received advanced training in some areas and not others. It may affect their ability to provide comprehensive medical services to civilians who require broader medical attention. The provision of a license would also be confusing because training and qualifications will differ.

   An ex-military medic has an advantage when entering into the medical field proper because he or she has received basic training. Colleges are instructed to provide bridging courses that are approved for the purpose of standardizing licensing procedures. A national model is also being used to standardize the training of medics, whether they are coming from the military or working as civilians. The military medic needs to understand his or her level of training, present certificates, and fill the gaps that could be missing in training.

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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