MOS 68W—Health Care Specialist
Qualifications for initial award of MOS 68W, Health Care Specialist:
PULHES:
111121
Physical
Demands Rating: moderately heavy
Required
ASVAB Score: ST: 101 & GT: 107
Enlistment
Bonus: None
Security Clearance: None
U.S. Citizenship: Not Required
AIT Length / Location: 16 weeks at Ft Sam Houston, Texas
Other Requirements
Health Care Specialist (MOS 68W) Description / Major Duties:
The health care specialist provides emergency medical treatment, limited primary care, force health protection, evacuation in a variety of operational and clinical settings from point of injury or illness through the continuum of military health care and, as a field combat medic, provides emergency medical care/treatment at point of wounding on the battlefield or to battle and non-battle casualties during wartime.
Duties for MOS 68W at each skill level are:
MOSC 68W1O. Administer emergency medical treatment to battlefield casualties, assists with outpatient care and treatment or assists with inpatient care and treatment under the supervision of a physician, nurse, physician’s assistant or a health care NCO.
MOSC 68W2O. Administers emergency and routine medical treatment to battle and non-battle casualties, assists with outpatient care and treatment and supervises field and clinical medical facilities under the supervision of a physician, nurse, or physician’s assistant.
MOSC 68W3O. Supervise activities of field, clinical and mobile treatment facilities.
MOSC 68W4O. Supervise para-professional medical service activities in large fixed and mobile treatment facilities.
MOSC 68W5O. Supervises and provides technical guidance within the Army Medical Department and Army Special Staff Activities.
Other Requirements for Award of MOS 68W:
(1) No aversion to blood.
(2) Have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
(3) No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, indiscriminate
use of habit-forming or dangerous drugs.
(4) Must maintain a current, valid, unrestricted National
Registry Emergency Medical Technician – Basic Certification to retain
MOS 68W (SFC(P)s and MSGs are exempt from this requirement).
(5) No history of a felony conviction.
(6) No history of conviction of crimes involving:
(a) An out of hospital patient or a patient or resident of a medical care
facility.
(b) Financial exploitation of a person entrusted to a care of the applicant.
(c) Any weapons/ammunition/explosives/arson charges.
(d) Any drug activity involving illegal possession, buying, selling, or
distribution (dealing) of controlled substances or synthetics.
(e) Violence against persons or property.
(f) Sexual misconduct.
(7) No record of conviction by special or general courts-martial
or civilian courts of offenses listed in AR 27-10 (Military Justice) chapter
24 or otherwise required to register as a sexual offender under AR 27-10,
chapter 24.
(8) Formal training (completion of MOS 68W course conducted under
auspices of Army Medical Department Center and School) mandatory; or completion
of the Exportable 68W1O Course conducted by reserve component (RC) unit
approved by the AMEDDC&S; or meet the ACASP criteria per paragraphs
(a) and (b) for health care specialist MOSC 68W1O; (c) dialysis specialist
MOSC 68WxxM3; (d) practical/vocational nurse MOSC 68WxxM6; (e) occupational
therapy specialist MOSC 68WxxN3; (f) physical therapy specialist MOSC
68WxxN9; (g) orthopedics specialist MOS 68WxxP1; (h) ear, nose, and throat
and hearing readiness specialist MOSC 68WxxP2; (i) optometry/ophthalmology
specialist MOSC 68WxxP3 and (j) cardiovascular specialist MOSC 68WxxY6
as outlined below.
(a) Health Care Specialist (MOSC 68W1O): Soldiers will be accelerated
6 weeks in the course if they hold: (1) Current certification for National
Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT), NREMT-B, NREMT-Intermediate
or NREMT-Paramedic. (2) Current American Heart Association (AHA) certification
for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers with at least 12
months remaining from the start of the course. Depending on determination
of their certification expiration date/s, Soldiers will be accelerated
to the next available class beginning in the Invasive Care Module. State
EMT certification or license will not be considered. (3) The Department
of Combat Medical Training EMT-B Medical. Director or his designee will
verify certification through the National Registry.
(b) Dialysis Specialist (MOSC 68WxxM3): Have been awarded the 68W MOS.
1. Have been awarded the 68WxxM6 ASI.
2. Provide documentation of successful completion of a dialysis-training
program.
3. A letter from the individual’s employer(s) verifying experience of
6 months or more and competency in a dialysis treatment facility is required.
4. Proficiency training will be accomplished in conjunction with 68WxxM6
proficiency training.
5. Persons enrolled in an approved practical or vocational nurse program
having satisfactory academic standings with reasonable assurance of successfully
completing the course, may be enlisted in the DEP or USAR when they are
within 6 months of graduation. Individuals must successfully complete
the practical or vocational nursing course, receive State license, complete
dialysis training and satisfy training requirements of the ACASP to be
qualified for the award of ASI M3. Promotions above pay grade SPC will
be under AR 140-158 or AR 600-8-19. Failure to meet the above requirements
for award of ASI M3 will result in classification as 68W only.
(c) Practical/Vocational Nurse (MOSC 68WxxM6): Have successfully completed
State approved course in practical, registered or vocation nursing.
1. Must complete 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S and
be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a MOSC 68WxxM6.
2. Must have successfully passed the National Council of State Boards
of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and possess current State
(or United States Territory) license as practical or vocational nurse.
3. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of an Army
nurse corps officer or NCO (SSG and above) qualified in ASI M6.
4. Persons enrolled in an approved practical or vocational nurse program
having satisfactory academic standings with reasonable assurance of successfully
completing the course, may be enlisted in the DEP or USAR when they are
within 6 months of graduation. Individuals must successfully complete
the practical or vocational nursing course, receive State license, complete
dialysis training and satisfy training requirements of the ACASP to be
qualified for the award of ASI M6. Promotions above grade SPC will be
under AR 140-158 or AR 600-8-19. Failure to meet the above requirements
for award of ASI M6 will result in classification as MOS 68W.
(d) Occupational Therapy Specialist (MOSC 68WxxN3): Be a certified occupational therapy
assistant (COTA) by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
1. Must complete 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S and
be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a 68WxxN3.
2. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of an occupational
therapy officer (AOC 65A) or an NCO qualified in this ASI.
(e) Physical Therapy Specalist (MOSC 68WxxN9): Possess an Associate’s
Degree in physical therapy from a Physical Therapy Assistant’s Program
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
(CAPTE) and have 1 year work experience as a PTA.
1. A letter from the individual’s current employer(s) verifying experience
and competency as a PTA is required.
2. Must complete 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S and
be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a MOSC 68WxxN9.
3. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of a physical
therapy officer (AOC 65B) or an NCO qualified in this ASI.
f) Orthopedics Specialist (MOSC 68WxxP1): Be certified as an orthopedic
technician through the National Board for Certification of orthopedic
technician (NBCOT).
1. Must complete 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S and
be awarded MOS 68W prior to beings assigned as a MOSC 68WxxP1.
2. Have 1 year general experience as medical aid or assistant or as a
member of a rescues or ambulance team which provided knowledge of hospital,
medical, or clinical routine and emergency procedures, and 1 year experience
or training in the cast room techniques.
3. A letter(s) from the individual’s employer(s) verifying experience
and competency is required.
4. Proficiency training must be performed under the supervision of an
NCO qualified in this ASI or an orthopedic surgeon (AOC 61M).
(g) Ear, Nose, and Throat and Hearing Readiness Specialist (MOSC 68WxxP2):
Completed Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel (CPOP) sponsored
by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).
1. Have current (within 5 years of completion date) certificate as a hearing
conservationist from the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing
Conservation (CAOHC).
2. Must complete MOS 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S
and be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a MOSC 68WxxP2.
3. Have 2 years of experience as medical assistant to a medical doctor
specializing in ear, nose and throat care and treatment.
4. A letter from the individual’s employer(s) verifying experience and
competency is required.
(h) Optometry/Ophthalmology Specialist (MOSC 68WxxP3): Current Certified
Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) qualification is mandatory.
1. Must complete MOS 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S
and be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a 68WxxP3.
2. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of an optometry
officer (AOC 67F), ophthalmologist (AOC 60S) or a MOSC 68WxxP3 NCO.
(i) Cardiovascular Specialist (MOSC 68WxxY6): Have successfully completed
a nationally accredited cardiovascular technologist course.
1. Have received accreditation in registry as a cardiovascular invasive
specialist (RCIS).
2. Have 1 year experience in echocardiography and cardiac catheterization.
3. A letter from the individual’s employer(s) verifying experience and
competency is required.
4. Proficiency training must be performed under supervision of an NCO
qualified in MOSC 68WxxY6.
5. Must complete MOS 68W training under the auspices of the AMEDDC&S
and be awarded MOS 68W prior to being assigned as a MOSC 68WxxY6.
(9) Completion of the former Special Operations Medical
Sergeants Course (Phase I-A, I-B and field training Phase) and was awarded
MOS 18D, may be awarded 68W as a secondary MOS with ASI W1, provided the
Soldier has a current NREMT certification.
(10) Completion of the 24-week Special Operations Combat
Medic (SOCM) Course (NREMT-P certified) may be awarded the MOS 68W with
ASI W1 as a secondary or additional MOS.
Additional Skill Identifiers for MOS 68W:
M3—Dialysis (skill level 1-4 only).
M6—Practical/Vocational Nurse (skill level 1-4 only).
N3—Occupational Therapy (skill level 1-4 only).
N9—Physical Therapy (skill level 1-4 only).
P1—Orthopedics (skill level 1-4 only).
P2—Ear, Nose, and Throat and Hearing Readiness (skill level 1-4 only).
P3—Optometry/Ophthamology (skill level 1-4 only).
W1—Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCOM) (skill level 1-4 only).
W2—Civil Affairs Medical SGT (skill level 1-4 only).
W4—Civil Affairs Trauma Medical SGT (skill level 2-4 only).
Y2—Transition (personnel only).
Y6—Cardiovascular (skill level 1-4 only).
Y8—Immunization/Allergy.
Article Last Modified: May 10, 2011
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