Bioscience Officers are Medical Associate Officers and, as such, commissioned members of the Canadian Forces Medical Service. Their primary duty is to mitigate health threats to CF members and improve their operational performance. As a Bioscience Officer, you would work in the following fields:
Applied research and development, which includes:
study of human response to environmental stress
development, testing and evaluation of protective clothing and equipment
analysis of the human-machine interface and system design
human-factors analysis of accidents
exploitation of technology to improve health, safety and human capability
Occupational hygiene support to units at home in Canada and deployed on operations, which involves health-hazard and risk assessments of CF workplaces and equipment
High-risk training for CF members so they can function effectively and safely when faced with environmental, occupational and operational health threats, which involves:
threat-specific countermeasures
use of protective equipment
operational medical training
As a Bioscience Officer, your contribution to the Canadian Forces mission will be to develop practical procedures, standards, equipment and strategies that conserve personnel and material resources, protect the environment, and enhance operational effectiveness. You will have opportunities to become involved in a wide variety of CF operations, depending on your assignments and interests. Your work will require you to understand not only the human factors of military operations, environmental physiology, and occupational health and safety, but also the roles, capabilities and needs of soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel. You will interpret and apply current scientific standards and practices, and use the scientific method to solve complex problems.
Personal Characteristics. The Canadian Forces requires a special kind of professional: a physically fit individual who is socially adaptable and ready for the unusual and the unexpected. At the same time, he or she must be professionally versatile and capable of leadership in a variety of environments, both in Canada and overseas.
Formal Qualifications. You must hold a bachelor's degree with honours from an accredited university in Canada, and meet minimum requirements for acceptance into a post-graduate programme in Human Factors, Physiology or Industrial Hygiene.
Preference is given to applicants with degrees in the human sciences (e.g., human biology, human factors engineering, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, human physiology, biochemistry). An applicant holding an engineering degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Industrial, Environmental or Chemical Engineering, or Engineering Management) may also be considered if he or she has completed suitable courses in the human sciences with at least a B average. You must meet Canadian Forces medical standards, and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations, including tests of physical fitness.
Basic Officer Training
You will be enrolled on a Short Engagement at the rank of Second Lieutenant / Acting Sub-Lieutenant (N), and go to the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint- Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec for the Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC). During BOTC, you will learn the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons-handling, and first aid. BOTC includes a rigorous programme of fitness training and sports, and is followed by second-language training for those who are not bilingual to the required Canadian Forces standard. On successful completion, you will be promoted Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant (N).
Preceptorship
After BOTC and language training, you will work for up to 18 months under the supervision of a senior Bioscience Officer in a preceptorship programme comprising a variety of military and civilian courses as well as work experience to bring you as quickly as possible to an operational and independent level of performance.
Throughout your career, you will be expected to maintain and expand your professional knowledge, skills and potential through continuing education and training, including inservice instruction, specialist courses, and applicable university programmes at the post-graduate level.
The physical effort requirements of the Bioscience occupation range from a maximum associated with real and simulated operations (e.g., hazard assessment in a contaminated environment; low-pressure environment in an altitude chamber) to a minimum associated with laboratory research and classroom work. On operations, your duties may require you to work independently for long periods under conditions that will tax your ingenuity, resourcefulness and stamina. You may be required to exercise sound judgement under stressful conditions without benefit of advice from colleagues or direction from superiors. You may be exposed to hostile environments when serving with a Health Hazard Assessment Team. At the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training, you will encounter hazardous environmental conditions such as extremes of pressure, temperature, lack of oxygen, acceleration, noise, airborne contaminants and smoke associated with military systems such as aircraft, armoured fighting vehicles and artillery. Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Bioscience Officers' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
