Independent duty medical tech has small footprint, large impact

Published May 5, 2010
By Capt. Joe Campbell
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- There aren't enough physicians in the Air Force to be placed everywhere they may be needed; however, Airmen in certain career fields can perform limited medical treatment in their stead.

Independent duty medical technicians like Master Sgt. Roberto Gutierrez from the 386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron here, are often attached to units in isolated locations to tend to the units' medical needs.

"Since there are fewer than 500 of us [IDMTs] in the Air Force, most folks have not even heard of us," said Sergeant Gutierrez. "We are usually attached to flying units or other units that deploy in remote and austere locations."

While a member of a small-in-number career field, Sergeant Gutierrez provides a variety of critical services to his unit, performing numerous jobs to support the mission.

"We are physician extenders and force multipliers capable of providing different aspects of medicine with a small footprint," he said. "I have multiple jobs here; IDMTs are like a hospital in a package. I treat patients, do sick call, immunizations, dental, bio-environmental duties such as checking water quality, public health inspections of eateries [on base] and the dining hall."

Deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan, the Manila, Philippines native said there are some aspects of being an IDMT at a deployed location that differ from his job in garrison. There, he does a lot of training; here, he puts those skills to work.

"Being a part of a squadron medical element at home station, we train constantly under the supervision of our medical preceptor. We have functional area trainers who ensure we are on top of our game so that we are proficient in all aspects of the job when it comes to medicine and environmental sanitation," he said.

A typical day here in the U. S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility for Sergeant Gutierrez includes following up on patients at the expeditionary medical support unit and gathering supplies.

"My day starts out by visiting EMEDs to check for any patients seen after hours and also to pickup needed supplies," said Sergeant Gutierrez, a 22-year Air Force veteran. "We keep close tabs on our patients, especially the aircrew, to ensure they are fit-to-fly to accomplish the mission. We see a variety of medical conditions just like in EMEDs, but with the convenience [for patients] of being close to the flightline."

Sergeant Gutierrez said to be successful, IDMTs cannot be shy or afraid to tackle differing aspects of the healthcare profession. Additionally, an IDMT must be able to work independently.

"Most essential to successful mission accomplishment here is ensuring personnel are in the best health and condition possible," he said. "I enjoy interacting with people and being involved in their medical care. It is challenging to learn different aspects of the operations world, but I have to be in touch with patients and familiar with their jobs and duties so I may better care for them."

The senior NCO enjoys deploying and he's had numerous deployments in his career, but he said this one is among his best because of all the quality of life initiatives available here.

"I love deployments and each one is unique; I love the fact that I bring my specialty to the fight," said Sergeant Gutierrez. "This deployment surely has been my best so far. The quality of life here is outstanding; we have a great dining hall and best of all, we have DawgNet [Internet] available 24/7."

Like many Airmen stationed at 'The Rock', Sergeant Gutierrez spends much of his downtime working out. Ever the medical professional, he had a few bits of advice for good health in the AOR.

"Wash your hands and hydrate," he said.