Assists the physician in the care, examination and treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory and cardiac region or assists with the management of the respiratory care areas.
The chief medical NCO is the principal non-commissioned officer who supervises, and performs related duties as the senior advisor to Commanders, Directors, and Chiefs of Departments and staff agencies on all matters pertaining to enlisted personnel; they perform these duties in multifunctional medical treatment facilities and medical staff activities, or in medical units formed under the Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE), or Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) concept; the chief medical NCO must be qualified in one of the following eleven MOS (68A, 68E, 68G, 68J, 68K, 68M, 68P, 68Q, 68R, 68S and 68W) at the grade MSG. Must be knowledgeable in technical mission, responsibilities and operations of all medical functional activities, to include: division and higher levels of medical special, general and joint staff sections, Medical Centers, large and medium size hospitals, Medical Activities, health centers and clinics, battery, company and troop size units, and all levels of echelons for medical organizations to include all major commands; must be able to plan, coordinate and supervise activities pertaining to unit organization, training, tactical and technical operations.
Performs duties shown in the preceding skill level and schedules, monitors and evaluates unit training; maintain unit-training records; assists commander in preparing, maintaining and evaluates management and personnel data; monitor departmental procedures to assure compliance with government regulations; serve on disciplinary and specialty boards; develops mobilization plans for superiors; coordinate requests for care to outside agencies; supervises home care programs; coordinates proper short course and advanced training programs; supervises and provides technical guidance within the Army Medical Department and Army Special Staff Activities.
Receive orders on treatment requested by the physician; gathers and checks equipment, takes history and assesses the patient; documents results on treatment, administers drugs as ordered, troubleshoot any problems that occur with patient during treatment; place patient on continuous ventilator care if ordered; adjust treatment to situation; perform pulmonary functions, additional assessments (i.e., blood gases) as required, transports patients needing ventilator support by air and/or land; perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on both adults and infants; calculates and runs blood gas machines; draws up and calculates drug as ordered; performs duties shown in the preceding skill level and provides mechanical guidance, management and training to junior personnel; performs and assists in advanced medical procedures such as thoracentesis, bronchoscopy and tracheal intubation; operate sterilizing equipment and patient transport apparatus; prepares budget, train other medical care personnel on respiratory support and assists in research on practical teams; schedules, conducts and evaluates in-service training of respiratory care personnel; reviews, consolidates and prepares technical reports; perform as a liaison for pulmonary care officer with installation medical authorities, commanders and crucial agencies.