Coast Guard Rating HS

Health Services Technician

Coast Guard HS (Health Services Technician) typically involves electronics and systems troubleshooting, medical or patient-care support.

Common Exposures

🧪 Chemicals
Solvents, flux, cleaning agents for electronics
🔊 Noise
Equipment noise in work areas
💪 Physical Strain
Repetitive hand motions, awkward positions
🧪 Chemicals
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, medications, cleaning agents
💪 Physical Strain
Lifting patients, long standing hours
🪖 Combat/Stress
Treating casualties, witnessing trauma

Likely Service-Connected Conditions

Diagnostic Code Condition Likelihood Reasoning
5237 Lumbosacral or cervical strain High Physical job demands commonly contribute to chronic back strain
6260 Tinnitus, recurrent High Noise exposure is a strong basis for tinnitus risk in this occupation
6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes Medium Shift work and irregular schedules
9411 Posttraumatic stress disorder Medium Trauma from treating casualties
9434 Major depressive disorder Medium Compassion fatigue and burnout

☢️ PACT Act & Toxic Exposure

Select the era that best matches when you served to see how this job’s toxic exposures changed over time.

PACT Act guide Use exposure finder
Vietnam Era 📅 1962-1975
Agent Orange / Herbicides
PACT Act
Handling casualties and equipment contaminated with herbicides and field residue.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Tropical Disease Exposure
Frequent treatment of infectious diseases in tropical environments.
Cold War Era 📅 1945-1991
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Gulf War Era 📅 1990-2001
Depleted Uranium
PACT Act
Potential contact with depleted uranium residue on casualties and equipment.
Anthrax / PB Tablets
Frequent proximity to anthrax vaccination and PB tablet administration campaigns.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Post-9/11 Era 📅 2001-present
Burn Pits
PACT Act
Aid station and clinic proximity to burn pits and base smoke exposure.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
IED Blast Exposure
Exposure to blast residue and contaminated gear on casualties.
Mass Casualty Trauma
Psychological stress from repeated mass casualty response.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.