In both war and peace this group of Army's health workers support front line troops, to provide staff for hospitals, medical centres, first aid posts and evacuation teams.

RAAMC provide advanced first aid, evacuation of casualties, hospital treatment and skilled nursing care for sick and wounded. They must be able to cope with unusual injuries in a variety of situations and environments and work effectively under front line defence emergency conditions.

All combat units include a medical element of members of the RAAMC so that emergency medical care is available to soldiers from the point of battle to base hospitals. The RAAMC also trains the Army's physical training instructors, pathology technicians, operating theatre technicians and preventive medicine personnel.

Duties

Employment in either a medical or non-medical unit with the requirement to:

• Protect the rights of individuals and groups.
• Perform Health administration.
• Provide Health logistic support.
• Care for in-patients.
• Care for out patients.
• Provide basic and advanced emergency response.
• Meet patient needs.
• Promote the health and well being of personnel.
• Conduct First Aid Training.

Employment Training

Basic Medical Assistants Course: Approx 38 Weeks

Basic Medical Assistant Course (BMAC) for the Army and Air Force is conducted at the Army Logistics Training Centre, Bonegilla (near Wodonga VIC). The BMAC course provides approx 38 weeks of theory and practical training in anatomy and physiology, first aid, basic nursing skills, and operational health requirements for deployment. The course also includes clinical placements in civilian health facilities.

Employment Location

Medical Operators are employed in most Army units, however the locations of major medical units are Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, and Darwin.

Pay

The pay for this employment is as follows:

• Medical Operator PTE Pay Group 3.
• Medical Technician PTE - WO2 Pay Group 4 , and
• Underwater Medical Technician CPL-WO2 Pay Group 5.

Civil Accreditation

As there is no direct civilian equivalent of an Army Medical Operators/Technician there is no complete civil accreditation available for this trade. However the competencies gained on this course would account for credits towards many civilian courses in the civilian Health Care field. Once the introduction of the Tri-Service Medical Operators is completed Civil Accreditation for Medical Operators will be reassessed. For additional training completed, the following accreditation exists:

• Certificate IV in Defence Health is granted to personnel who have completed the Basic Medical Assistant Course.
• Statement of Attainment in Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance) is granted to personnel who have completed the Advanced Medical Assistant Course.
• Statement of Attainment in Certificate IV in Government PSP40199 is granted to personnel who have completed the Advanced Medical Assistant Course and on promotion to the rank of ARA Sergeant.
• Certificate IV in Administration (Health Services) is granted to personnel who have completed the Advanced Medical Assistant Course and on promotion to the rank of ARA Sergeant.
• Diploma of Government PSP50199 is granted to personnel who have completed the Advanced Medical Assistant Course and on promotion to the rank of ARA Warrant Officer
• Diploma of Administration (Health Services) is granted to personnel who have completed the Advanced Medical Assistant Course and on being assessed as a competent Warrant Officer.

Once qualified as Assistant Medical Grade 1, soldiers can either remain in the central as Assistant Medical stream or elect to branch into one of the following specialist streams:

• Technician Laboratory; or
• Technician Operating Theatre.

Further Information

Royal Australian Army Medical Corps