Combat medical technician

A combat medical technician (CMT) is a soldier with a specialist military trade within the Royal Army Medical Corps of the British Army.

Role
The fully trained combat medical technician or CMT is capable of:
 * assisting with the management of surgical, medical and psychiatric casualties from the onset of the condition until the casualty is admitted to a hospital offering specialist care. This capacity is to include the immediate necessary first aid and other sustaining procedures required to hold a casualty for a limited period in a non-hospital situation.
 * undertaking the administrative procedures and documentation for casualties in field units, medical reception stations and unit medical centres, including those required for and during casualty

Class 3 and 2 standards

 * Trained in anatomy, physiology and first aid.
 * Has a general understanding of medical terminology and is capable of carrying out first aid in an emergency situation until expert medical assistance is available
 * Works under supervision to provide assistance to medical officers in field units and medical reception stations.
 * Assists in setting up field medical units and is trained in medical fieldcraft including the use of radio equipment, navigation by foot or vehicle across country and field medical equipment
 * Capable of carrying out basic nursing procedures
 * Initiates and maintains casualty documentation and supply/equipment documentation
 * Recognises abnormalities in casualty observations, body appearances and consciousness levels
 * Trained in basic life support (BLS) to UK Resuscitation Council guidelines
 * Trained in Army environmental health issues at unit level

Class 1 standard

 * As for Class 2 and 3, but with additional training and experience (see above)
 * Provides health advice to non medical junior commanders
 * Has a good understanding of anatomy and physiology
 * Is able to take control of an emergency situation
 * Is trained in basic diagnostic techniques and able to report findings to medical services
 * Advises on basic field hygiene
 * Capable of advanced first aid and using advanced resuscitation techniques
 * Administers non-controlled drugs ordered by a medical officer
 * Administers drugs by oral route, inhalations, plus intradermal-, intramuscular- and subcutaneous injection
 * Sutures simple wounds
 * Maintains, or supervises the maintenance of, and indents for medical equipment
 * Trains junior medical assistants

Additionally, at Class 1 the CMT is trained in the procedures and principles of Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS), which includes advanced life support, cricothyrotomy and thoracentesis.

Further progression by rank

 * At the rank of corporal, the combat medical technician also supervises and controls medical assistants working in medical unit departments, such as medical section 2 i/c in a close support (CS) medical regiment.
 * At the rank of sergeant or staff sergeant, the combat medical technician takes charge of a department, accounting for equipment and carrying out the administrative duties for soldiers within the department, medical section commander in a close support (CS) medical regiment or a role 2 medical treatment facility within a general support (GS) medical regiment.
 * At the rank of warrant officer, the combat medical technician supervises a number of departments, and maintains discipline and morale within those departments, providing for the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit.