Critical Care Medicine

Overview: Critical Care Medicine deals with injuries or illnesses that are life threatening or have a high probability to reach that level, including surgical shock, postoperative hemorrhages, respiratory failure and other complications. Critical Care Medicine physicians in the Air Force Reserve work not only in hospitals, but also go wherever their skills are required, including disaster relief and other temporary emergency facilities.

Position: Officer

AFSC: 44YX

Specific Tasks:

• Examine, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries by surgical and nonsurgical means 
• Coordinate critical care treatment with other specialists 
• Consult and instruct residents on critical care

Requirements:

For entry into this specialty:

• Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy 
• Board eligibility in a basic specialty (surgery, anesthesiology, pediatrics or internal medicine)
• Current enrollment in a critical care medicine or equivalent residency program acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF

Training:

• For those without a prior military service commission, the first step is completion of Officer Training School Abbreviated. This five-week course at Maxwell AFB, AL will familiarize you with military life, your role as an officer and military healthcare.