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What is an Offshore Medic?

 

From paramedics and nurses, to combat medics, becoming an offshore medic is a popular alternative career path for experienced medics. But what is an Offshore Medic? What do they do and what courses do you need to do to become one?

Here, we have created a guide about everything offshore medic.

 

What is an Offshore Medic?

Life as an offshore medic (OSM) involves working on oil rigs (fixed or mobile) and support vessels. Their main role is to look after the health, safety and welfare of the crew. Other duties include health administration or health and safety at work.

Offshore medics alternately spend two weeks offshore (sometimes 4 weeks), two weeks onshore, travelling to and from the rig by helicopter. Adverse weather conditions, such as fog, can affect travel arrangements.

 

What are the duties of an Offshore Medic?

Offshore, medics work a 12-hour day shift, but are on call 24/7 in case of emergency. They work alone & mostly work in a clean, comfortable office beside the sick bay within the accommodation module of the oil rig. An onshore doctor is available for consultation and acts as a manager.

When offshore, medics can be called out to attend to an emergency anywhere on the rig. Conditions can be cold, wet, stormy, dirty and noisy. Protective gear is required for this. There can be some heavy lifting. There can also be some trips abroad.

The duties of an offshore medic can vary between different roles, but they may  include:

  • providing 24-hour cover for first aid & emergencies
  • dealing with illness and injury that occur onsite: administering drugs, dressing wounds, checking blood pressure, giving anti-tetanus injections, and so on
  • conducting medical examinations and acting as a consultant for recruitment medical examinations.
  • maintaining stocks of medical equipment and provisions
  • contributing to occupational health and safety services & chairing health and safety meetings.
  • setting up medical evacuations where a worker must return onshore for immediate treatment
  • communicating regularly with the Onshore Company Doctor and the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)
  • maintaining medical records & keeping a daily medical log.

 

How much does an Offshore Medic make?

A typical offshore medic salary starts at £25,000 to £35,000 a year, rising to around £60,000 with experience.

 

What do I need to become an Offshore Medic?

As part of offshore medic training, you must successfully complete an Offshore Medic Certificate course and an Offshore Survival Certificate (BOSIET) course, both approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

At MediPro, you must meet certain criteria before being excepted on an Offshore Medic course. You must have at least 2 years experience as:

  • Registered nurses who appear on the NMC register
  • Army CMT1 or RMA 1*
  • Navy Leading Medical Assistants*
  • RAF Medical Assistant and Medics*
  • HCPC Paramedics
  • Doctors on the GMC register
  • Or the international equivalent of the above

* Candidates subject to further approval from MediPro. Evidence of CPD logbook is required.

You will also need a valid Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Offshore Medical Certificate. This involves passing a medical examination which classifies you as medically fit to work in the offshore environment. You must also provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.

The HSE states that if your work offshore is ongoing, you must renew the Offshore Medic Certificate every three years. This can be done by completing an Offshore Medic Refresher course.

 

What Offshore Medic courses are run at MediPro?

Our `full` Offshore Medic course takes place on Teesside at our centre in Stockton-on-Tees. It involves 2 weeks of classroom learning, plus 60 hours of clinical placement. You have 6 months to complete the 60 hours placement. All our placements are arranged locally and are within busy A&E / NHS departments.

We also offer two types of OSM refresher courses at MediPro:

  • An Offshore Medic refresher course.
  • A distancing learning refresher option.

Like the full OSM course, the Offshore Medic Refresher course lasts two weeks and takes place at our centre in Stockton-on-Tees. This refresher course meets all the requirements of the HSE guidance for refresher learning outcomes.

For the distance learning refresher, we mail out module books to students, plus supporting learning materials. Learners complete the written exercises in the module books by conducting self-directed study and research, then return them to MediPro for marking and feedback. Learners have up to 6 months to complete these. Our tutors are available for phone and online support throughout the process. Learners will return for a 2-day assessment at our Stockton centre. There are no written examinations for this, only practical assessments.

Learners on both courses must hold a current valid HSE Offshore Medic certificate which is in date. If the certificate has expired, please contact us to discuss your options.

 

If you would like to book onto one of our Offshore Medic courses, please visit the Offshore Medic section of our website, or call us on 01325 609030.

 

Testimonials

Both Rob and Tony the CERAD tutors were absolutely amazing, helpful and patient with us. Couldn’t have asked for better trainers or a better bunch of people to take this journey with!

Tia Sayer – Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician – East of England Ambulance Service

We’ve had the support we’ve needed, and the training has been good. So, for anyone looking to progress, or considering joining the ambulance service, I would recommend it. Absolutely!

Jack Bird, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician, East of England Ambulance Service

I think the learning is very clear. Direct. All the tutors have been very professional. It’s been all positive experiences.

Keith Stead, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician, East of England Ambulance Service

I like the practicals. I learn more this way because the job itself is so practical, you gain confidence this way.

Abby Hobbs, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician, East of England Ambulance Service

I think the course so far has been really good. I’ve liked the practical sessions. It’s clear what we need to learn and there’s a lot of support as well.

Amy Palfreyman, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician, East of England Ambulance Service

I would definitely recommend you guys to others. I feel like there’s a lot of support when needed. It’s been really enjoyable.

Imogen Fitzgerald, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician, East of England Ambulance Service

Since I had graduated, I was a little uncertain with the route I would take as my lack of driving experience was holding me back from joining a trust and wanted to find another way, to consolidate my learning. With some background experience in mentoring, I soon enough came across MediPro and applied for the NQP clinical tutor role.

Since then, I have been very fortunate to work with a lovely team that have a similar insight to myself with making student contact count to give back and help students bridge that gap between the classroom and the road. Overall, l’ve felt more confident with deepening my clinical knowledge and helping seal the vast breadth of topics we may not always come across on the road often.

I strongly believe MediPro will play a huge part in this journey with the different opportunities available and I have high hopes for the future.

Pooja Kaur, Clinical Tutor, MediPro

Upon graduating last year, I was surprised to find a job advertised with MediPro in which I could come straight out of university and into training. This opportunity usually only presents itself after years of experience, so I was eager to give it a go. I was welcomed on board and made to feel comfortable by all staff throughout the past 6 months and have already been granted many opportunities as part of the company, including two new qualifications.

I still get time on the road to practice as a HCPC registered Paramedic, although the majority of my role is spent teaching and supporting others. This has gained me more confidence, knowledge, and professional development than I ever thought it would, and I’ve made some great friendships along the way.

Leah Marshall, Clinical Tutor, MediPro

Qualifying as a Paramedic, I feel like I’ve accomplished something I never thought I would be able to. I think it is an amazing job!

At the beginning, I joined MediPro with my FREC 3, which started me off with patient transport. Since then, I’ve progressed into technician and then straight onto paramedic, which I found was a great way of doing things.

The teaching at MediPro was brilliant. I found that it was very hands-on and very adaptable to how I like to learn.

My mentors have been brilliant. I literally wouldn’t have been able to do that without their help and guidance. They haven’t done it for me, but they have definitely helped and supported me to do it and complete this course. I couldn’t thank them more!

Abbi Turnbull, Paramedic, MediPro

My first experience of training with MediPro was just over 5 years ago when I undertook my Ambulance Technician training whilst looking for a change of career. Following the completion of the course, I was offered employment as an ambulance technician, supporting local NHS trusts in providing emergency and urgent care.

Since starting with MediPro I have continued to be supported throughout my career and they have enabled me to continue to develop both personally and professionally, working towards my ambition to qualify as a HCPC registered Paramedic.

Additionally, I have been offered and supported through a level 3 teaching qualification, as well as a mentor qualification. This has allowed me to broaden my practice and develop as a clinician, working in a dual role as an ambulance technician, mentoring students in practice, as well as in a teaching capacity.

Last year I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to apply for the MediPro Level 6 Diploma in Paramedic Practice, as an alternative to university this suited my situation perfectly. Despite being a non-university programme I was still fully supported through every step of my journey & I now work as an HCPC registered Paramedic for MediPro with the ambition to consolidate my practice and develop my teaching skills.

Overall, MediPro has provided me with amazing opportunities and support since starting my career 5 years ago. The knowledge, skills and experiences have enabled me to develop as a professional and as a person, which has been invaluable. I’ve also gained some brilliant working relationships and friendships along the way.

Alex Hutchinson, Clinical Tutor, MediPro

I completed my level 3 CERAD in March of this year, this was the third course I have done with Medipro in the last 14 months. In all of the courses I have done with Medipro I have found nothing but genuine, friendly, top class people. 

The level 3 CERAD was intense and challenging but Colin was excellent in his delivery, explanation and constructive criticism. 

Can not recommend MediPro enough, I have booked onto my Freuc 5 at the end of this year.  

Phil Brazier, Level 3 CERAD

Since graduating from my Sports Science and Injury Rehabilitation degree, I have been desperate to work in the healthcare industry, particularly emergency care. When I came across the MediPro ECA apprenticeship, I knew I had to apply. The opportunity to learn new skills, whilst gaining practical experience in the field, seemed too good to be true – but it has proven to be the opposite! 

The opportunity has not only allowed me to learn more about this complex profession, but grow in confidence as a person. The experience is designed in such a way that I was allowed to gain confidence in my ability, before increasing my responsibility. This was primarily done by working with other welcoming and experienced colleagues, who were all extremely helpful in guiding me through the process. The leadership and mentor team have been with me every step of the way, ensuring that I am well equipped to operate to the high standards that are required, whilst also showing great trust in me to put my skills into practice. 

MediPro has allowed me to access my dream career and have given me an experience so far that has ensured it will be a lifelong journey. 

Emily Bonham, ECA Apprenticeship, MediPro

Medipro is a very responsive apprenticeship training provider. They help us build and retain a very skilled, competent and patient care focused team of Emergency Care Assistants.

They also provide Paramedic training for Ambulance Technicians helping us to develop critical skills for our business.

The programme has helped us train and develop our workforce and has been extremely well organised and facilitated, and I am pleased to say that skills development goes from strength to strength.

We have found our working relationship with MediPro to be a very proactive one and we look forward/ to continuing to work together.

James Tavener
Training Manager, Bristol Ambulance EMS

MediPro have become a key support to our operations, helping us offer a safe, compliant and superior medical response service to our clientele. They have assisted us in the development of new competency programmes for our staff, new documentation flows for our patients and advised on new equipment and practices that improve our immediate treatment delivery. In addition, they have been a consistent and reliable source of guidance and advice throughout our work together. I would highly recommend their services which are operationally outstanding and financially very reasonable.

Peter Burke, Operations Manager, Teesside

I am a commercial Diver from Trinidad and Tobago.

I chose MediPro as it was recommended to me by a friend.

The teacher was very knowledgeable and made the lessons fun so it was easy to absorb. I am new to the Medical Diving field so it was very exciting learning more and going deeper into medical conditions and illnesses specific to diving. Being a diver, it will be a great asset for me to recognise and be able to administer aid should it be needed.

Kevin, Diver Medic Technician

I have been attending training at MediPro for 10 years. The offshore medic and distance learning refresher is great. Lovely people, great attitude, great educators.

Julian Searle
Offshore Medic Refresher
Distance Learning

The clinical placement in the unique Urgent Care Centre, North Tees Hospital, is exactly suited for the Offshore Medic course, allowing me to demonstrate all previous Learnt Theoretical, for urgent Primary care assessments in the field.

The mixture of GPs & Urgent Care Practitioner Nurses provided a 24/7 facility for a diverse range of presentations. I also spent time in the busy accident & emergency department.

Martin Hagues, Offshore Medic

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