Career: Medicine and Special Operations?

[Shogunater]

I'm on the medical path currently. Given some of my hobbies and academic pursuits, it's been suggested to me that I signup after I complete board certification in the years to come. It's something I've thought about before, but now I'm considering it a little more.

Does anyone have any suggestions for overseas jobs that combine medicine, uncomfortable situations, and getting one's hands dirty?

I've heard Airforce SOST (general surgeon) is an interesting, and very demanding position.

[chad newton]

Move to Africa....

[Sgt. Psycho]

US Army enlistment option 18X, with the future goal of attaining MOS 18D.

[Shogunater]

Move to Africa....

I believe you're referring to "doctors without borders"?

[Shogunater]

US Army enlistment option 18X, with the future goal of attaining MOS 18D.

From a cursory read through of MOS 18D, they're basically PJs, am I wrong? I would be a little overqualified for that by the time I'm done with my education.

[Sgt. Psycho]

From a cursory read through of MOS 18D, they're basically PJs, am I wrong? I would be a little overqualified for that by the time I'm done with my education.


First, do more than a cursory read. I am not going to write out the cliffnotes for you.

Overqualified? Many of them function at the level of an equivalent civilian PA, and some are actual doctors. IDK, maybe your PHD in neurosurgery would over-qualify you.

[Dorkface]

Where is Sua when you need him? He is the best guy to ask.

[Shogunater]

First, do more than a cursory read. I am not going to write out the cliffnotes for you.

Overqualified? Many of them function at the level of an equivalent civilian PA, and some are actual doctors. IDK, maybe your PHD in neurosurgery would over-qualify you.

Well, for example, SOST general surgeon requires a board certified physician, surgeon, and they really like applicants who've spent time with Doctors Without Borders, because they've had to improvise a little more than an ER doc.

Maybe I looked at the wrong source, but they don't require an MD. It appears they are medics trained in more advanced trauma medicine and surgical procedures. That is what I meant by "overqualified".

[chad newton]

I believe you're referring to "doctors without borders"?
It would give you all the experience you were looking for..... I wouldn’t joint the army that’s just my opinion.....

[chad newton]

If your looking to get your hands dirty move to a big city and work in any er. You will get everything you ever wanted plus get paid real money to do it.

[Herbert West]

I'm on the medical path currently. Given some of my hobbies and academic pursuits, it's been suggested to me that I signup after I complete board certification in the years to come. It's something I've thought about before, but now I'm considering it a little more.

Does anyone have any suggestions for overseas jobs that combine medicine, uncomfortable situations, and getting one's hands dirty?

I've heard Airforce SOST (general surgeon) is an interesting, and very demanding position.
I would guess that when you say Board Certification, you are a physician in a residency program? What is your specialty ? Are you University affiliated training program?

[Shogunater]

I would guess that when you say Board Certification, you are a physician in a residency program? What is your specialty ? Are you University affiliated training program?

I'm not there yet, but I'm in the pipeline, don't have the MD yet.

[Herbert West]

I'm not there yet, but I'm in the pipeline, don't have the MD yet.
Are you in medical school ? What specialty are you considering ? Big difference between EM and derm for example :-) Also, look into residencies at .mil locations perhaps? Another option,join now and see if tuition /loans can be paid via .mil ? Though those do come with a mandatory service obligation.

[Shogunater]

Are you in medical school ? What specialty are you considering ? Big difference between EM and derm for example :-) Also, look into residencies at .mil locations perhaps? Another option,join now and see if tuition /loans can be paid via .mil ? Though those do come with a mandatory service obligation.

Surgery is my first thought, but that is subject to change.

[apamburn]

Surgery is my first thought, but that is subject to change.

I am not in the medical field, but I think you have to specify a little more.

Like, there are a lot of kinds of surgeons.

[Shogunater]

I am not in the medical field, but I think you have to specify a little more.

Like, there are a lot of kinds of surgeons.

True, but I'm not sure the specification matters given the premise of the thread.

[Herbert West]

PM sent

[apamburn]

True, but I'm not sure the specification matters given the premise of the thread.Oh you're right. I'm sure special ops opportunities abound regardless of specialty. I'd suggest you become a foot surgeon.

[Shogunater]

Oh you're right. I'm sure special ops opportunities abound regardless of specialty. I'd suggest you become a foot surgeon.

:dunno: I would think surgical care in the field really narrows things down.

[Boetman]

I believe you're referring to "doctors without borders"?

Howsit

Stay out of Africa, its a unthankfull shithole. Go where people will appreciate what you do for them, this place boils down to the scorpion on the turtles back crossing the stream.

Cheers

[paknheat]

Well, no matter what line of practice you take I would suggest taking a position in Chicago. You’ll see all the trauma you want.




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[Shogunater]

I would suggest taking a position in Chicago

If I'm going to practice in an NPE, I'd rather it be with the support of the government and wingmen.

[Herbert West]

If I'm going to practice in an NPE, I'd rather it be with the support of the government and wingmen.

If you're not currently at the end of your third year or early fourth year of medical school, there is no sense in discussing specialty/residency choices.

[SEANSTRAIT]

QUOTE=Shogunater;1969260]Well, for example, SOST general surgeon requires a board certified physician, surgeon, and they really applicants who've spent time with Doctors Without Borders, because they've had to improvise a little more than an ER doc.

Maybe I looked at the wrong source, but they don't require an MD. It appears they are medics trained in more advanced trauma medicine and surgical procedures. That is what I meant by "overqualified".[/QUOTE]

Not sure where you got that information but I wouldn’t count on it. I spent 4 years on SOST as a CRNA and another 7 on a SOCOM surgical team, and no surgeon I worked with had done that. We had new surgeons and seasoned multi-deployment guys. What they are always looking for is the guy with the skill that can be a good teammate. We had many practice and real world opportunities to get good at improvising.

[SEANSTRAIT]

It would give you all the experience you were looking for..... I wouldn’t joint the army that’s just my opinion.....

Nothing wrong with joining the Army as a surgeon, at least for a while. Our guys really benefit from having surgical teams forward and far forward.

[Shogunater]

QUOTE=Shogunater;1969260]Well, for example, SOST general surgeon requires a board certified physician, surgeon, and they really applicants who've spent time with Doctors Without Borders, because they've had to improvise a little more than an ER doc.

Maybe I looked at the wrong source, but they don't require an MD. It appears they are medics trained in more advanced trauma medicine and surgical procedures. That is what I meant by "overqualified".


Not sure where you got that information but I wouldn’t count on it. I spent 4 years on SOST as a CRNA and another 7 on a SOCOM surgical team, and no surgeon I worked with had done that. We had new surgeons and seasoned multi-deployment guys. What they are always looking for is the guy with the skill that can be a good teammate. We had many practice and real world opportunities to get good at improvising.

SOST is a pretty niche subject on the internet. That's the info I got from the few MIL and medical forums discussing it. You seem like someone qualified to talk specifics. Could you elaborate in a PM?

[SEANSTRAIT]

SOST is a pretty niche subject on the internet. That's the info I got from the few MIL and medical forums discussing it. You seem like someone qualified to talk specifics. Could you elaborate in a PM?

I can pm after work today