Health Care Practitioners Careers

The physical health of military personnel is crucial. Officers in the Health Care Practitioners field are the doctors, nurses and surgeons who keep servicemembers in top physical health. They address areas of physical well-being including dental, pharmaceutical, surgical, optical, speech, dietary and more. Careers in this field generally require an advanced medical degree. The Military offers a great place for medical school graduates to gain real-life experience at a faster rate than in civilian practices.

Possible Responsibilities

• Perform general physical examinations
• Provide life support treatment for patients needing emergency care
• Develop special diets for patients
• Prescribe corrective lenses
• Plan and manage occupational therapy programs
• Perform oral surgery
• Treat hearing problems

Helpful Attributes

Useful fields of study include biology, nutrition, physical therapy and internal medicine. Helpful attributes include:

• Desire to help others
• Good eye/hand coordination
• Strong communication skills
• Being calm under pressure

Training Provided

Servicemembers enter this career field with an advanced medical degree. Job training, when available, consists of classroom instruction, including practice in providing patient health care. Sample courses include:

• Fundamental Medical Care Procedures
• Health Care for Children
• Nursing Techniques
• Anesthesia, Respiratory Therapy and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation