# Combat medical technician

A combat medical technician (CMT) is a soldier with a specialist trade within the Royal Army Medical Service 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.