Hospital Corpsmen (HM) perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury; including first aid and preventive medicine procedures; assist with physical examinations; provide patient care and the administration of medicinals and parenteral solutions; perform general laboratory, pharmacy and other patient support services; assist in the administrative supply and accounting procedures within medical departments ashore, afloat and with the Marine Corps; instruct medical and non-medical personnel in first aid, self aid, personal hygiene and medical records maintenance and assist in the transportation of the sick and injured; assist in the maintenance of environmental health standards; be prepared to assist in the prevention and treatment of chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) casualties and other contingencies; senior hospital corpsmen perform supervisory, technical, planning and management functions in support of medical readiness and quality health care delivery; In addition to their general assignments, hospital corpsmen trained as technicians perform specialized functions within the operational forces, clinical specialities, administrative departments and may be assigned independent of a medical officer.
