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A regular day in the reserve clinic at the Naval Operational Support Center starts at 0800, right after mustering on the drill deck. Usually, there are many Sailors lining up outside the clinic, eagerly waiting to fulfill their mobilization and IA (individual augmentee) readiness standards. The main services that the medical team provides is drawing blood and giving vaccines. As a Hospitalman (HN), I am a part of this medical team

Seven vaccines that we routinely give are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, anthrax, meningococcal, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Japanese encephalitis. We administer the tuberculosis skin test, which is also known as the tuberculin or PPD test.

We usually draw blood tests for HIV and the like. I usually like to take my time, especially when giving and documenting shots. Reviewing and paying attention to detail is imperative. Giving a vaccine the wrong route can cause the patient to have an adverse reaction, a situation that will cause the attending corpsman to be reprimanded.

From time to time, we serve officers, from lieutenants to captains. Occasionally, I panic when I have to draw blood or vaccinate a captain because my earlier impressions of these high-ranking officers weren't exactly pleasant. However, I have encountered captains that were easier to talk to than enlisted personnel!

I have been lucky to be able to call upon my fellow corpsmen to "spot" me. That simply means they watch me as I perform venipuncture (drawing blood) to make sure that I have chosen an accessible vein. It's so helpful afterwards because they usually clean up the patient while I document in the patient's record what type of test they have had drawn.

About two months ago, the medical team received news that we were not to draw blood for lipids and cholesterol. Yes, it lessens the work that we have to do for a while, but usually the Navy changes such requirements in a matter of minutes.

During the physical readiness test (PRT) weekend, the medical team uses another room for patient care. This room is twice as large as the clinic. It is often used for physical health assessments (PHA) and body composition assessments (BCA). I have yet to become comfortable with the equipment in this room and with conducting assessments. I have made considerable progress though.

The PHAs are tedious, as you have to ask the patient questions and flip through their medical and dental records for pertinent information. It's quite difficult when you haven't had a formal class on how to conduct such an interview. The patients that I have had were tolerant. They respected the fact I was still learning. It makes me feel more comfortable doing my job.

Across from the clinic is the dental clinic. I received dental technician training in July of 2007, but have not been able to use the techniques mentioned in the manuals. Fortunately, for me, another Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3), formerly a Dental Technician Third Class (DT3) has offered to help me with dental records and dental procedures. It is only a matter of being able to get away from the clinic.

At 1115, two corpsmen are sent to the drill deck to test the food. Sometimes, we are so committed in the welfare of our Sailors that we forget to do this. At 1130, we have to close up the clinic for chow. Now and then, we reopen the clinic after chow for patients who have to see the doctor or receive additional care.

These days, the night before I have to drill, I can't sleep. The fear is still there. I sometimes think that I might mess up horribly and become involuntarily separated. I have interesting ways of psyching myself out. However, it's when I'm in uniform that I feel that I have made the right decision in my career.

Learn more about this author, Lakish Campbell.
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