I am shipping off for Basic on Mar 18th as a non-rate and was wondering if anyone could clue me in on the HS field. I love medicine, I'm an EMT finishing up Paramedic school but after being at MEPS it dawned on me that I could end up at some clinic doing paperwork and basic tx. I'd love to use my knowledge to help out but I'm looking for the excitement as well. I'd love to be involved in SAR or something fast paced. Would HS be the right path for me or should I consider another route?
Like said before a busy AIRSTA where you can get your wings, places like Sitka, Kodiak or Cape Cod. You could also get an opportunity out of "A" school to go to an 378' where you could and will use those skills. Keep in mind "A" school is 12-18 month wait so get your name on the HS school list and if you change your mind about HS you can just take your name off the list. But to answer your question there is alot of pushing paper in the HS land and i'm sure someone here will have a problem with statement. I do have fun as an HS but there is times I want burn the place down.
A paramedic? No interested in doing health-related paperwork beyond run reports for patient encounters? HS may not be for you.
I cannot claim to be an expert on our resident stuntpeople (aka Rescue Swimmers) but if you check out the AST area, they may be able to clue you in on what they do everday.
I do know this, the grand majority of active swimmers appear to be EMT's and they do more SAR-related EMT work than I ever have as an HS. Please research this, because (again) I am not the expert.
If you don't like paperwork or the routine of a clinic and you think it will outweigh the excitement of practicing medicine, then HS is probably not your cup of tea. I won't lie to you.
I have to agree with NoSpamDoc. If you want fast paced and you are not willing to do paperwork and basic tx of everyday pts. Then HS is not the rate for you.
You sound like you want to be a PHS doctor. OOPS did I say that... only kidding!!!!
Stay with being a paramedic. There is alot more to being an HS than being an EMT/Paramedic. To be an HS/HM/Medic no matter what branch of service you have to have the desire to help your fellow shipmate. That shipmate could be the dirtbag of the unit and deserves the same level of care that your CO would get. Going thru MEPS and seeing what the medics do is not the true example of what we do in a CG clinic. Yeah emergency medicine is only a small portion of what we do (maybe less than 5%) but its what we train for. We have to know it although we may not do it very often. There is more, alot more you don't know about. I would talk to other corpsmen out there and get their views before you think that being an HS is not all that you thought it to be. And if you do decide to be an HS and want real excitement then do the Corpsman challange and go independent duty. Thats where the action is. It will be the best thing you could ever do as an HS in the CG.
there is a lot more to the rate other than just being in a administrative position. you find that you do more with less time than any other medical provider in any other service. the mantra for the properly managed corpsman is cross-training (daily). you will have the chance to go to schools from other services without being cubby holed in to only one nec. depending on your drive and ambition you can go to numerous advanced schools dmt, sfidc, idhs, idmt, pharmacy, lab, pmt, long xray or any other schools that the navy, army, and air force provide to their members. With that said it does have its mundane times sitting on shore and waiting for the next physical to come in. each opportunity that you are provided expands your skill set to set you apart from the dod medic. it is up to you what you make of it. in my humble opinion i wouldn't change my experience or rate for any other. take on the challenge, if anyone could do it than it wouldn't have one of the highest qualifying scores. it is a extremely small rate and has numerous challenges. if you like to take care of people, and the only thanx that you require are "thanx doc", your in the right business.
good luck soon to be shipmate look fwd to serving with you.
It will be the best thing you could ever do as an HS in the CG.
