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AFSC 45N4, Staff
AFSC 45N3, Qualified
AFSC 45N1, Entry

Specialty Summary. Examines, diagnoses, and treats, by surgical and other means, injuries and disorders of head and neck. Manages otorhinolaryngological services. Related DoD Occupational Group: 6A.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Examines, diagnoses, and treats, by surgical and other means, injuries and disorders of head and neck. Prepares and reviews case histories and obtains data through interviews. Examines patients and determines x-ray examinations and clinical laboratory tests required. Interprets test results and evaluates examination findings. Determines procedures for preoperative and postoperative care such as administering sedatives, prescribing diets, and preparing operative area of patients. Applies surgical procedures and coordinates operations with anesthesiologist. Administers and prescribes such measures of treatment as antibiotics, drugs, and compresses. Treats patients suffering from surgical shock, postoperative hemorrhages, and other complications.

Manages otorhinolaryngological services. Formulates plans and procedures for otorhinolaryngological services. Schedules operations and assigns surgeons, nurses, and medical technicians. Directs nurses in procedures for preoperative and postoperative care and operating room techniques. Advises on types and quantity of otorhinolaryngological supplies and equipment. Coordinates otorhinolaryngological services with other professional medical activities. Instructs interns and residents in techniques of head and neck surgery. Serves as consultant on head and neck surgery.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Fulfillment of education requirement satisfies this requirement.

Education. For entry into this specialty, a doctor of medicine degree or a doctor of osteopathy degree from an approved school of medicine or osteopathy is mandatory.

Training. None.

Experience.

For award of AFSC 45N3, completion of a residency or fellowship in otorhinolaryngology acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, is mandatory.

For entry into AFSC 45N1A/B/C/D, qualification in and possession of AFSC 45N3 is mandatory.

For award of AFSC 45N3A/B/C/D completion of a fellowship in a suffix specific course acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, is mandatory.

Other. None.

Specialty Shredouts:

A……Otology/Neurotology. Provide advanced education diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the petrous apex, infratemporal fossa, internal auditory canal and cranial nerves. This subspecialty is part of a Skull base team that requires Neurosurgical and advanced audiological support. Successful completion of an Otology/ Neurotolgy program acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, is mandatory.

B……Head & Neck Surgical Oncology. Provide advanced education, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic injury and neoplastic disease of the head & neck to include advanced surgical removal, repair and reconstruction (i.e. with vascularized, sensate free flaps). Also included are advanced rigid bronchoesophogoscopic and surgery. Successful completion of a Head & Neck Surgical Oncology program acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF.

C……Pediatric Otolaryngology. Provide advanced education, diagnosis and treatment of infants and children with complex problems. Specifically congenital and acquired conditions involving the aerodigestive tract, the nose and paranasal sinuses, the ear, disease and disorders of the laryngotracheal complex and the head and neck. Additional expertise in management of childhood disorders of voice, speech, language, and hearing as well as genetics is also provided. These individuals are often part of the cleft-palate or craniofactial disorder team. Successful completion of a fellowship in a Pediatric Otolaryngology program acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF.

D...Facial Plastic Surgery. Provide advance education, diagnosis, and treatment in the reconstructive and cosmetic repair of traumatic, neoplastic, congenital and acquired deformities of the head and neck. Individuals are often part of a reconstruction team for head and neck cancer. Completion of a fellowship in a Facial Plastic Surgery program acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF.

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Above Information Derived from AFMAN 36-2105