HM into civilian life

[Navycameron]

I'm new to this website and I will have alot of questions to ask. So is every male now a days going to become a 8404 from the begining and the have advanced training later on and onther question and maybe this question has been answered here before but I thought I have read or heard someone say that an HM dosen't transfer to any jobs in the civilian world. But do 8404 HM's become EMT-b certified. At one time my recruiter told me that an HM goes to an EMT-b school that is only 2 or 3 weeks long. I just want to have my medical skills mean somthing if I ever wanted to go into civiliain medicine. I just don't want to be stuck behind some desk because I decided to go to a C-school. And I don't want to have a C-school prevent me from serving with the Marine corps. My whole goal is to be a corpsman for the Marine corps and the title of Doc while I'm serving with the Marines.

[Überlebende]

I am a retired Navy Corpsman. I retired in 1988, went to nursing school and became a male nurse. I used the skills and knowledge that I learned while in the Navy, being a corpsman. It was up to me to decide if I wanted to remain in the medical field (which I did) or discard that which I had learned after many years and become a deck hand on a barge going up and down the river. I served numerous tours with the Marines and to this day, I am still called "Doc" by those Marines who knew I was a corpsman. The only way I am aware of where you will have a "place" in the civilian world is if you have the skills and knowledge from the military, combined with civilian schooling to assist you in getting the job you deserve. No matter where you go, you still need to have the required skills and schooling. Good luck to you. Semper Fi.

[old navy]

I am a retired IDC now doing medical recruiting in the DC area. When I talk to an employer about one of my candidates who is a prior Corpsman, I can almost see their eyes light up over the phone. I can get a one tour HM a job paying 16-18 dollars an hour where as my daughter, who just graduated from a Virginia Ivy, is looking at 15 an hour.

What can you do in CIVLANTFLT using your HM skills? The technician NEC's are obvious so I'll stick with the quad zero and 8404. Although the career colleges are taking a hit because there are too many of them, teaching is fun, rewarding, and pays pretty good. Another route is to start as a medical assistant. Certification isn't necessary but helpful. Go to www.amt1.com for certification instructions. I know of one former HM working at the front desk of a prominent ortho practice while finishing his degree. While working as an MA, work yourself up the food chain. Office managers and practice administrators are making 60 to 100 thousand dollars per year.

The job market is tough out here right now. Make sure you have a perfect resume. Have at least one good interview suit. Sell your self at the interview. Be confident but not arrogant.

[crazycajun]

oldnavy,

Thanks for the good info brother!

[old navy]

No problem. If anyone has any specific questions, just ask.

[Navycameron]

That is helpful information for me. I just thought that my HM skill would be wasted but I was wrong. I haven't even been through my training yet but I just have goals set for myself for the future. Who knows in five years I could end up liking it and stay with the navy for my career. I will just have to see and If I don't like it I will always have good med training. I understand about being confident and also use what I learn from the military to excel in things that I want to do.

[mba28]

An area that needs to be looked at when a corpsman is discharged and wants to remain in medicine, is the Physician's Assistance program. I volunteer in an ER at a large hospital and the PA's function nearly the same as physicians although they are supervised by the latter. Other fields would include Paramedics which is advanced EMTs.
Dick Cooper

[popsie]

I didn't retire as a corpsman, but separated from the Navy in 1979. While in the Navy I earned my NEC 8483/8404. While still in the Navy. I started prep stuff in case I wanted to get out. I wasn't sure if I was staying in at one point. A couple options happened. My last year in . What stationed in California and with Documentation of experience as working the floors . At that time could challenge The state of California exam for Vocational Nurse. Equivalent to licenced practical nurses in ohter states. Another option one I took is Since I graduated O.R.Tech school I took my training records and joined at that time Association Of O.R.Techs. Then Applied to take the certification exam which is a national certification. While in the navy I earned my EMT and had problems renewing it. However when I did discharge I wrote the state and asked. Although my original EMT training and card were from California. The state of New York allowed me to take only a refresher course to reinstate mty EMT certification in New York. My first few yew years in civilian life I was a certified O.R.Tech with the VA. However, I decided being in a O.R. for the rest of my life really wasn't me. Since I was doing part time work as a EMT-B . I went back to school and got my paramedic. I've been A Paramedic since August 1980. There is a point to this. Although it is not automatic that the civilian side will recognize your military training and experience. You as a individual will be able to use your military training and experience to to better understand and accomplish what you want to do. My advice is while you are in take as many certifications in your field as you can. Alot of them are actually civilian certs. Example. CPR, ACLS, PHTLS, PALS, NALS to name a few . In the civilian side these are often a requirement or door opener. If you stay in the medical field. Bigger door opener and you like it. Get the instructor certs for CPR< ACLS<pals nals. You as the individual have to open your own doors. To do this always keeps your ears open for educational opetunities. One thing I learn from my grunt doc training . When in Rome do as the Romans, learn , adapt, then conquer their Ass. my my previous posts I have always stated the decision to be a Navy Corpsman was the smartest and best thing I have ever done. I use my experience and training I learned everyday When I work as a field Paramedic. I hope my rather large and wordy post helps. I know your asking if I loved being a corpsman so much why did I get out. Simple I was young and Married to somebody who didn't like the Navy. At the time she won. One on my greatest regets listening to little head. However, I have become a Quite regarded paramedic by my peers so I have been told. Semper Fi

[Da-Chief]

Well in Rome..
PIZZA TO YOU SIR!
;-)
Da-Chief
P.s I am a man of small words, you you hit it "RIGHT ON THE HEAD" Popsie..
Thanks!
Darrell

[puckmedic]

I wanted to retian my medicla knowledge as well. I actually applied as a MA at a hopsital here when I was on terminal leave. I got hired as a manager in Enviromental Services. The constant nagging from on high made me feel insignificant and angry at having to please a person who never would be pleased. I held on b ut eventually I lost desire to even show up for work.

I'm in Debt collection now, but am thinking of re entering the medical field perhaps part time. unfortunately, being fired by West Tennesssee health care, I limited my options as nearly everyone here is associated with them.
That bridge didn't get burned it got vaporized!!!

Would the gentle man in DC PM me? I would like to get my resume to him for his perusal.

[puckmedic]

p.s I ahve a friend from home town 1 yr behind me in school. Hm1 ret teaches at a school for MA's. Do you need a teaching degree to do that? There's a place an hour's drive from here down in Mississippi that has openings once in a while for teachers in the courses there

[old navy]

I taught in a medical assistant program for 3 years after I retired untill I got this recruiting job. I enjoyed it because it brought together teaching and the medical world. Most schools do not require a degree or certification. They, like the medical community, snatch up prior military.

The school industry is taking a hit in this area because there are too many of them and they are bringing in un-employable students.

Puckmedic, I'll PM you with my e-mail address. I'd be happy to look at your resume. I'll look at it from home. My office is a resume factory. I have resumes on all sorts of people. The worst for finding a job for is health care administrators. They're a dime a dozen.

I did though find a job for my daughter in a sweet public relations, event planning, program management gig making good money.

On a seperate note, if anyone knows of any dental hygienists, send them my way. My company has the countries only travel hygienist program. We bring them in from other states and they are making 400 dollars per day. We have 2 houses in Fairfax County where they live rent free. They stay and work and then go back home for awhile.

[docdhaene]

I am a retired Chief Corpsman and currently a Captain Training Officer /Paramedic for a paid EMS service. I got all my training while on active duty, retired from 2nd Mar Div. While on active duty I went to Paramedic School and Fire Fighting School. I'ts all up to you If your motivated. There is no limit to what you can achieve.

[mba28]

[I left the Navy in 1963 and couldn't find anything to transfer my skills to in civilian life other than nursing school. Several years later they started a PA school, I believe at Duke, that only admitted former Navy Corpsmen. Had I known of the program I would have transfered to it. Instead I went in several directions and when I finally retired in civilian life I started volunteering in the ER at a large hospital nearby. I am now starting back at paramedic school, but good alternatives for some former corpsmen would be Physician's Assistant or Nurse Practioner.
Richard Cooper
Former HM2 (USS Independence, CVA-62)

[Da-Chief]

Thanks Guys for all the good gouge. I hope that today's doc's have a plan when they get out.. It is so important in today's economy.

Thanks again

Darrell "Da-Chief" Crone

[JRSmith91W]

There are many Hospitals that take HM and Whiskeys as ER Techs. Most pay around the 10 hour scale. It not the best or highest paid job but it gets you foot in the door and allows you to hit the colleges for more formal training in either Nursing or maybe a PA. If you got the drive then MD is just a few years of school away. Either way use the money the Navy gives you and hit the books. Whiskeys come out as a EMT-B, not all that hard for HM's to gain theres.

[Da-Chief]

Karen before she got her RN, worked here in Chicago area as a PT Tech at one of our hospitals.. Started 14.50 a hour.. With Diff she would get up to 18.00 a hour depending on time and day..

Not bad for a student going through college etc..

Later
HMC

[JRSmith91W]

My mother worked in Xray as a lab tech and runner for them while she wa working on her PA. she made 13.25 per hour. all she had was CPR and basic life support. got all that in a 3 week coursed offered in one of the Fire deparments in Colorado. Just got to keep your eyes out and make some friends i hospital and Dr offices

[psencik1950]

In the 70's before they got carried away with the EMT/paramedic thing, I was an industrial medic for a construction company. The guy doing a lot of the hiring was a retired HMCM.

After that, I went to nursing school and got my 2 year RN in '86. I worked ER and ICU and had my time in management. When I decided I was getting too old to bang it out every day in the ER, I went back and got my Nurse Practitioner. NP must have their bachelor's in nursing and generally a few years experience as a RN. I was able to work full time while finishing my NP.

PA is 2 years which is either a Masters' or the finish of a bachelors' type program. Either way you will have to have pre-req' of A&P, micro, etc.

I not unhappy with the way mine went, as a RN in the ER, I got to do a lot with more leeway as the docs and I got to know each other.

Ben

[JRSmith91W]

Yea i do beleave both NP and PA are now both masters programs, or at least here in Colorado. I know it was not always that way for NP it us to be a BA, now that i think they moved it to MA after they re-did at the laws and regs for Nurse's. NP is another great option for people to look at. They have many of the same duties as a PA. I do beleave they can write Rx in most states just as a PA can. More then anything if you like to lead and be in charge then NP is the way to go. Most NP are in charge of whole nursing staffs.

[Navycameron]

I know this might be a stupid question but me and my dad were talking about a M.D. degree and I was wondering if M.D. is 12 years of school or does it require less and you just internship during alot of those years.

[JRSmith91W]

I know this might be a stupid question but me and my dad were talking about a M.D. degree and I was wondering if M.D. is 12 years of school or does it require less and you just internship during alot of those years.


4yr undergrad work
2 grad work
2 med school
2 residency

give or take a year or two depending on what you want to do. Brain surgeons go to school a lot longer then family practice MD do. all and all its about 10+ years of school

[Navycameron]

Another question is what are people with the medical assistant certification allowed to do in hospitals and doctors office. For example are they allowed to do alot of the same things as corpsman, or medics.

[old navy]

Another question is what are people with the medical assistant certification allowed to do in hospitals and doctors office. For example are they allowed to do alot of the same things as corpsman, or medics.

I think I'm qualified to answer that. After retiring 3 years ago I taught in a medical assistant program. I got my Registered Medical Assistant certification from American Medical Technologists. I got certified not for employment necessity but it helped get my students through the certification paper work if I signed it with my AMT number.

I now work as a medical recruiter. There are only a couple of states that require a medical assistant to be certified. The rest allow an MA to do any procedure that their physician allows. The MA works under the doctor's license therefore the lawsuit will be in hi/her name. In the DC area, MAs are doing any medical procedure you can imagine. Injections, phlebo, I.V.'s, you name it. One of my people just interviewed at a prominent university hospital's infusion clinic. This hospital is requiring MA's be certified soon. The government clinics require certification. Most employers do not require certification. I am able to get former military medics in the DC area jobs within hours of contacting me. I'm also doing national searches for a client but that is very limited. I recommend getting certified. Even if you plan on doing other things, you never know. Check out AMT, AAMA, ARMA, and NEHC for their requirements.

[Xraydoc]

All very good info. It is never too early to think about life after the military, whether you retire or you get out after 4 years. I think everyone should look at TA and get going on any degree you can. I am an X-ray tech and pull in 22 an hour before shift diff as a PRN tech, that’s just when they need me. I just received an offer to be Director of Radiology in Houston. All I would need is a Baccalaureate (at least) and the experience the Navy has already awarded me. Being that I am still a year away from my BS and owe the Navy 4 more years I cannot do this, YET. As OldNavy said, getting your IV, Phleb, injection will only help and atleast give you something when you roll. I ask that anyone in the Navy get a degree, or a certification. The Navy makes this easy, and it will only help you and yours in the future.

[old navy]

Very good advice xraydoc.

[AndiRRT]

An area that needs to be looked at when a corpsman is discharged and wants to remain in medicine, is the Physician's Assistance program. I volunteer in an ER at a large hospital and the PA's function nearly the same as physicians although they are supervised by the latter. Other fields would include Paramedics which is advanced EMTs.
Dick Cooper

This is a really good field to go into. In large hospitals, it is not uncommon to be seen by a physician one time, and then have all of your follow-up done by a PA. When I had my knee surgery in Nashville (I went to one of the BIG DOGS), I dealt with the PA. I only assume the surgeon did the surgery, as I was asleep(haha). I have looked into it myself, but I am too driven and competitve, and so I know that when all is said and done, i won't be happy until I am an MD. And if anesthesia intersts any of you guys, there is always the trusty CRNA.

[AndiRRT]

I know this might be a stupid question but me and my dad were talking about a M.D. degree and I was wondering if M.D. is 12 years of school or does it require less and you just internship during alot of those years.

Okay, Cameron. This is an area I actually know about. Haha! College for the MD is as follows:

Undergraduate---usually 4 years, or a BS. Some Med Schools will take you without a BS, as long as you have all of the higher sciences completed. Organic Chem. Genereal Chem, Biochemistry, Animal Biology. Calculus. You need to have good grades. REALLY good, but you also need to have the whole package, so to speak. They do not usually take someone with the academic record who has no other life.

MCAT----Medical College Admissions Testing----an 8 Hour endurance run in the higher sciences, designed to not only see HOW Much you know, but IF YOU can apply what you know in a stressful environment. Youu need a really good score on this, combined with the REALLY good grades to even get an interview when applying to med schools.

MEDICAL SCHOOL---4 years, no exceptions. You will also have to take the USLME throughout med school, to make sure you are up to snuff. More tests.

Residency----ususally 3 years. You are paid, but I make about twice as much as an RRT than I will as a resident. So it isn't much

Fellowship----If you want to specialize in a particular field, say anesthesiology or cardiothoracic surgery (just examples)

After that, you are on your own.

I am almost done with the undergrad stuff. One year left, and you already know I have been preparing for the MCAT. I am almost to the med scool admissions stage, Thank GOD! LOL

[AndiRRT]

Another question is what are people with the medical assistant certification allowed to do in hospitals and doctors office. For example are they allowed to do alot of the same things as corpsman, or medics.

Usally the med asst. is very limited in practice.

[Navycameron]

Geez all that schooling almost makes me not want to do it :D. Do you also know the specific classes that you have to take before med school. Everytime I look at the stuff on the college website I don't understand it. if I go to med school I would go to the the University of Utah med school if that helps you on prereq's class's. Also does anyone know if Navy physicians can go FMF.

[AndiRRT]

Geez all that schooling almost makes me not want to do it :D. Do you also know the specific classes that you have to take before med school. Everytime I look at the stuff on the college website I don't understand it. if I go to med school I would go to the the University of Utah med school if that helps you on prereq's class's. Also does anyone know if Navy physicians can go FMF.


Okay, I am going to attempt to explain this and hope I do not confuse you. The majority of colleges do not have a "Pre-Medicine" degree. You attend as an undergrad and complete your BS. For example, my BS will be in Biochemistry, but I am on a pre-med track, meaning I have a pre-med advisor that follows my academic progress and helps see to it that I have met the requirements for med school. Your degree can be in anything you want. If you want a BS in underwater basketweaving, go for it, as long as you also complete the prerequisites for med school and give yourself a good base to do well on the MCAT. The actual requirements for med school vary with the school. Generally speaking they are as follows: Biology-both plant and animal, microbiology, genetics, zoology, biochemistry. General Chemistry-100, 200, and 300 level courses AT LEAST. Orgainic Chemistry- 2 years' worth. Math-At least through to Advanced Calculus, and throw in a statistics course, too. Physics-Anything you can take. If they offer it, take it to get you ready for the MCAT, because that portion of the exam is BRUTAL. Aside from these courses, you will also need to take any general studies courses required by the college. (I have 2 semesters of English, 4 semesters of History, 6 Cultural studies credits(comp. religion and women's studies), a couple of philosophy course, blah, blah, blah.

A good rule of thunb: if they teach it in med school, you are not required to have it before you apply. For example, I have taken 15 credit hourrs of anatomy and physiology to get my RRT credentials. While this will help me immensely on the MCAT and gives me an enormous foundation to build on when I head to med school, it does not count for anything other than an elective when it comes to admissions criteria. I will learn anatomy their way with my trusty cadaver. (Sorry to tell 'em but I already know it).

I hope this helped. if anything, now you all know why I am so insane, as I managed to take all these courses within 4 semsters and 2 summer terms. 24 hrs a semester. I had to get special permission from the dean to do it, but I pulled it off with my GPA in tact. LOL

As for going FMF, I know I will not be in combat. I may work as a flight surgeon or in a field hospital, but that is as close as I get. From what I understand, you guys will send them to me. :)

[AndiRRT]

Yea i do beleave both NP and PA are now both masters programs, or at least here in Colorado. I know it was not always that way for NP it us to be a BA, now that i think they moved it to MA after they re-did at the laws and regs for Nurse's. NP is another great option for people to look at. They have many of the same duties as a PA. I do beleave they can write Rx in most states just as a PA can. More then anything if you like to lead and be in charge then NP is the way to go. Most NP are in charge of whole nursing staffs.

Actually, all of the Nurse Practitioners I know work in the same capacity that a physician does, whether it be in a hospital, primary care environment, etc. They do noT perform surgeries, etc, but other than that, they write scripts, etc, much like physicians.

[bpsencik50]

NPs must have their RN and it must be a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing before being accepted for the Masters of Science in Nursing NP program. There were some who grandfathered in with a certificate course, but that ended in the late 1990's. NPs are mid-level practioners and practice varies by state, but most allow NPs to write prescriptions. In Texas, we can write anything but Class II narcotics, once you complete all the paper work and pay all the fees.
While you can go directly from a BSN to a MSN NP program, most NPs have been practicing as RNs for anywhere from a couple to 20 or more years. Dependent on the type of program - Family, Pedi, Acute Care, Geriatric dictates the scope and patient population that you may treat. As a Family NP, I can treat from cradle to grave. Some NPs work in ER Fasttracks, etc. I'm working at an urgent care and see what walks in the door.

Hope it helps.
Ben