Serves as the Medical Department Representative (MDR) aboard submarines and at various isolated duty stations ashore independent of a medical officer. Performs patient care and associated shipboard administrative and logistical duties. Performs diagnostic procedures, advanced first aid, basic life support, nursing procedures, minor surgery, basic clinical laboratory procedures and other routine and emergency health care. Conducts and directs preventive medicine and industrial hygiene surveillance programs. Familiar in the prevention and treatment of illness associated with the enclosed submarine environment, diving, and high-pressure conditions. Provides for health education to junior medical and nonmedical personnel. Performs all patient care and medical management functions set forth in Chapter 9, Manual of the Medical Department. Serves as the Radiation Health Officer (RHO) aboard submarines, and are trained in the medical aspects relative to personnel exposed to ionizing radiation. Directs and administers the Personnel Dosimetry and Radiation Health Programs. Maintains and compiles radiation exposure records and reports. Senior personnel assigned to shore and operational staffs provide medical assistance, training, and inspection services to operational forces and component units. Additionally, when assigned ashore they serve primarily as nonphysician health care provider at fixed medical treatment facilities(MTFs).

Assists Medical Department Officers in the performance of Preventive Medicine and Occupational Health Programs for Navy and Marine Corps forces ashore and afloat. Performs inspections and surveys of food and food service facilities, berthing spaces, barber and beauty shops, child care facilities, recreational facilities, swimming pools, potable water systems, solid waste and waste water disposal sites and systems, vehicles, and transport containers. Conducts bacteriological analysis of food, water, and ice samples. Conducts epidemiological investigations and reporting (Disease Alert Report), interviews and counsels sexually transmitted disease and other communicable disease patients and contacts, administers mass immunization programs and conducts nosocomial infection control programs. Applies statistical methods to human mortality, morbidity, and demographic studies. Conducts disease vector (insects, rodents, parasites, and other pests) control programs (surveys, identification, and pesticide application and other control measures). Is proficient in all aspects of field sanitation (water and food service sanitation, waste disposal, and vector control). Is proficient in medical and sanitary aspects of CBR defense. Under the supervision of occupational health professionals, assists in ensuring that work place environments are healthful, consistent with existing NAVOSH standards, through surveillance of the work place and medical surveillance of personnel exposed to work place hazards. Instructs medical and nonmedical personnel in preventive medicine, industrial hygiene, environmental health and occupational health matters.