Medical Support Officer - Typical Duties of A Medical Support Officer

Typical Duties of A Medical Support Officer

The early and formative years of a Medical Support Officer are more attuned to the regimental and administrative tasks of a mainstream officer within the British Army, not healthcare management. After Commissioning into the RAMC all officers must attend the Entry Officers' Course (EOC), where they study in depth the medical doctrine employed by the British Army. Basic medical training is given in order to give an understanding of the capabilities of the clinicians within the RAMC. Medical Support Officers do not get involved in treating casualties, but are responsible for leading, directing and coordinating those troops who do treat the wounded. Part of this may require Medical Support Officers to attain certain civilian recognised qualifications, notably Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS). The first posting is to a Medical Regiment or Field Hospital as a Troop Commander where in addition to typical regimental duties the Medical Support Officer will be involved in the organisation and provision of medical facilities to the rest of the army on military exercises and military operations. Later, at the rank of Captain or Major, Medical Support Officers will find themselves in a higher planning role, either in a Medical Regiment or within a staff headquarters. Those with either a first degree or diploma may apply to undertake an in-service Masters degree in topics to do with health service management or disaster relief management.