The Shipboard Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman II: The Optimal Career Pipeline
Abstract
The IDC career development pipeline described in this report was based primarily on the survey responses of 87% of the IDCs serving aboard ship during 1985 (N=355). Data reflected that corpsmen were attracted to the IDC duty for one of two primary reasons: a) patient care involvement, or b) career promotion. Personality was also shown to be a factor in achieving good person- job fit; IDCs with high levels of health service delivery orientation as measured on the Hogan Service Orientation Index were found to have higher performance, better job satisfaction, and increased intent to remain an IDC. The proposed pipeline incorporated IDC recommendations for extending the length of corpsman basic A school and hospital ward indoctrination. The best preparation for IDC duty was considered to include a hospital inpatient tour, a clinic-based technical tour, a clinic-based patient care tour, and a shipboard administrative tour (perhaps of assisting an IDC). Subsequent to IDC certification, creation of a continuing education program and a personnel qualification standard to maintain and enhance medical skills and knowledge was recommended. In addition, respondents preferred post-IDC shipboard assignments that placed them in patient care roles near Fleet units. Surface IDCs recommended shortening shipboard tours to two years; submarine corpsmen preferred three-year tours. In order to accommodate shorter surface IDC tours, it is recommended that shipboard tours be more frequent, perhaps on a port and starboard (sea/shore) basis. Keywords: Medical personnel; Naval personnel; Careers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA178695
Entities
People
- D. S. Nice
- Susan M. Hilton
- Thomas F. Hilton
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center