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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