Posted on Aug 4, 2017
CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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I am a currently credentialed NR-Paramedic, however, I'm not a 68W. I know I have seen, in written regulation that a person other than a 68W can serve as a medic for ranges that require it, other than if they are a cadet. I'm trying to find that in writing. Last field problem we were short medics and I said I could start IVs and perform care just the same, but S3 said the Army doesn't allow that.
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CW3 Counterintelligence Technician
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Are we talking about just in garrison or in a combat environment? Regardless, I know that if I was in need of medical attention I would want anyone "who is knowledgeable" to help me.
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SGT Flight Medic
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CPT (Join to see) - yes sir, we typically have a brigade surgeon, pa, something who we work under. While I was in a clinic do not was a slightly different setting, I could do things that an EMT would have been up the creek for doing because whatever my medical director said I could do I could do, working under his license. Yeah, it's gonna be a lot different being OCONUS since you don't have a department you can be affiliated with to have some sort of medical control. It's kind of silly in my opinion but, it is what it is. I have met a 68W that had their RN but not their BSN, so can't be an Army Nurse yet, and they couldn't work at the top of their license because our Positio Description is not that of an RN.
So, while you are trained, skilled and sure lot highly proficient, your job is not a medic, so it just throws a big monkey wrench into things.
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PO2 Skip Kirkwood
PO2 Skip Kirkwood
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SGT (Join to see) - I don't think that is correct. The license is DOA, not the local doc.
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SGT Flight Medic
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PO2 Skip Kirkwood - you may be right, I know that at the end of our day even though there is a SMOG for all the Army, our local provider dictates what we can do specific to that unit. I always assumed they would limit the scope of some personnel to cover their own hind parts. I am far from infallible and am always open to new information!
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Sgt Miera, I don't think cls personnel also work under that license since that would technically be what he is considered.
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MSG Military To Military (M2 M) Ncoic
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All 68Ws will be working under a licensed Physician. The BDE Surgeon cell will have the definitive answer of which the Aid Station can push up that RFI. S3 are not SMEs on medical credentialing, but they should be on providing oversight and detailed planning for exercises. A troop-to-task matrix should have caught the shortages well ahead time. Was the Medical Platoon Leader (MEDO) or Platoon Sergeant present for OPT/IPR/Planning Conference? I'm confused on how this exercise was not properly sourced for medical coverage, you can't throw a stick in the Army without hitting a Doc. In the end, your skills can save Soldiers lives, but if you are there for other reasons, then you deserve to focus all your efforts on developing those skill sets. Shortage gap filling during wartime operations is understandable, but during a known exercise in inexcusable lack of planning in my opinion.
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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There's so much to it, much of which is not appropriate for social media. That said, it was brought up in planning, but ignored. We have a doc, PA and about 6-8 medics in the unit, but no MEDO. I'm mainly just trying to figure out if there is anything in regs that prohibits it. If not, I have no issue talking to the DIV surgeon or other to get approval. It's just dumb, since I've done it in other units without issue and I'm TSF for all 3 AHA programs and have taught at every place I've been up until now. The Army hospital here is so difficult about it, I've actually talked to the AF base down the road and they are super ok with me teaching for them. It's the main reason I'm trying to get a place with a decent RN program nearby as a next duty station. If that pans out, hello USAF, goodbye Army.
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MSG Military To Military (M2 M) Ncoic
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The grass isn't always as green as we think. Get in good with the Surgeon Cell and exploit your skills. Army hospitals, not Combat Support Hospitals, fall under MEDCOM (soon to fall under Dept of Health Services). Role 4 credentialing has little by way of influence in the field environment. MTOE units need to use the Surgeon Cell. I'm in USAREUR and have personally witnessed some awesome credentialing that allowed for a myriad of licensing to ensure execution of an operation. I've bumped heads with MEDCOM and Regional Health Command, but end of the day, those MTOE units belong to the Division. Please train the other medics, we love that stuff. Unfortunately the ignoring of "show-stopper" resources is a leadership issue, just don't get to deep. We have leaders there for a reason, I've seen enough get away with BS, but sooner or later that GO or his Staff calls the BS card and careers are quickly snuffed out.
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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If it's for training, then you shouldn't be involved. If it is a legit casualty then you should. We have cls classes and they treat casualties so I don't see why you would be held back to treat legitimate casualties.
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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That's what I thought. This is the first unit I've been in that did not want me involved in any form. My first BN we were short medics and the PA and BDE surgeon were fine with me being involved, if it was necessary. Especially since I'm TSF in BLS, ACLS, and PALS, they liked having me around for CP/medical-urgent pts.

I'm just trying to find any written guidance from HQDA/AMEDD regarding it. My current boss doesn't seem to care about common sense and only goes by what's written. Figure if I can give it to him written, he might let it go.
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Sir, I think the only literature for non 68W would be the current cls guidelines. I would talk to the BN or BDE provider and see if he could write you a memo for your boss.
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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Appreciate the feedback. I'll look into the DIV/8A Surgeon cell to see what their take is.
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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I think that would be your best bet sir.
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