Medilink provides remote area medical support services to clients operating in some of the world’s most demanding locations. We recruit, train and deploy medics, paramedics and occupational health specialists for clients ranging from blue-chip infrastructure and extraction industries to public entities. Doctors and other medical professionals seek out remote medic jobs for a variety of reasons. Some wish to put their expertise to the test while seeing more of the world, while others wish to work for corporate entities or in medical set-ups where they find themselves the key decision maker.

Thriving in a remote medic job requires the interplay of numerous professional qualifications and personal qualities. The nature of the business demands total dedication, commitment, flexibility and excellent communication skills. Even with today’s technological resources to hand, remote medics have immense responsibilities to shoulder. They need to be self-reliant and fast, accurate decision makers, as well as have excellent interpersonal skills as they work alongside non-medical colleagues on site.

How Medilink recruits for remote medic jobs

To ensure we recruit ideal candidates, Medilink has a rigorous recruitment system for hiring remote medical staff. Our procedures operate mindful of individual client’s specific, onsite requirements and the environments in which our medics work.

We start with a preliminary software screening of candidates’ CVs. However, of critical importance in shortlisting candidates is the multi-stage interview and assessment phase. Our clinical governance team assesses candidates’ full potential thoroughly. We test candidates’ clinical skills by assessing their responses to various clinical scenarios that mirror the real-life situations they are likely to meet on the job. In parallel, we conduct in-depth, psychological profiling to see how candidates will cope with the exigencies of a remote medic’s role and life in the field.

In parallel with these administrative and clinical interviews, we carry out due diligence on the candidate’s main certification. We then require two good references and a fitness-to-work certificate before we confirm any job offer.

Compulsory criteria for all remote medic jobs are:

• a medical degree (doctor, nurse or paramedic);
• a valid registration in the professional’s home country;
• valid Advanced Trauma Life Support Certificate or equivalent;
• valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate or equivalent; and
• in cases of offshore posts, medics require the BOSIET or equivalent.

Crucially, Medilink requires candidates to have a proven minimum of five years relevant experience in remote area medical expertise. In addition, remote medics are expected to have expertise in first response skills including airway management, breathing and ventilation, circulatory support and cardiac life support.

Induction on Client Sites

Medilink provides medics with a comprehensive briefing document on the client company and the remote site at which they are to be engaged. The briefing includes details of the country, the project itself and any necessary information which may be required for the medic to mobilise smoothly.

Another way in which we assist medics in preparing for deployment to the client’s site is to define a training matrix highlighting the obligatory training, and optional modules, for the site in question. Our clinical governance team then prepares an induction plan checklist based on the applicable procedures of the site. The medic is appointed to various members of Medilink team; namely the Clinical Governance Team; the Operations Support Specialist; and the Recruitment and CPD Coordinator.

Qualities required of Offshore & Remote Medics

Remote medical jobs require personnel with the ability to cope for long periods, both professionally and personally, in hostile environments such as harsh climates and terrains.

Remote medics typically work 28-day ‘on-off’ rosters. As in many cases remote site medics find themselves working alone or in small teams, it is important they have the ability to confidently recognise the medical condition of patients immediately. These skills are a must even when remote medics have access to topside support and the back-up of second opinion diagnostics.

In the field, the medic may find only a minimum of supplies and consumables as emergency material and medical equipment. The medic must therefore have the ability to assess and manage priorities and deal with medical situations with the appropriate and timely response. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to ‘take ownership’ of medical emergencies is paramount in situations where the medic is working alone.

Typical Assignments

Medics are assigned to provide 24/7 Medical Assistance and Support, Medical Emergency Responses and Occupational Health to Medilink clients working onshore or offshore in remote areas with limited medical equipment and in high risk zones, such as on a site of hydrocarbon extraction. They will be required to ensure that clients are conducting such operations in full compliance with local and international legislation while ensuring the health and safety of their employees. Duties include recognising occupational hazards and promptly and efficiently providing advice on minimising them.

Of prime importance is the remote medic’s role in providing medical emergency cover and first responder services such as resuscitation and stabilisation of critically ill or injured/trauma patients, following Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical protocols. Our medics also arrange medical evacuation (medevac) if necessary and liaise with evacuation providers and medical specialists. The medic is also required to assist in the evacuation of staff from the remote site in cases of emergencies.

Ongoing Professional Development

Medics engaged with Medilink are required to participate regularly in continuous professional development in order to maintain, develop, update and enhance their knowledge, skills and performance to help them deliver appropriate and safe care to our clients.

Every three months, medics are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours emergency practical placement in a hospital of choice. This needs to take place in a setting where the medic will be able to observe and/or carry out a predetermined list of medical skills.

The company also provides support to medics we engage. We help with identifying relevant medical courses to enhance the medic’s skills and assist with funding to cover CPD courses.

We send random tests to all engaged medics every six months to evaluate their knowledge of our medical emergency protocols and similar procedures. This enables us to work in tandem with medics to identify and resolve any issues or find areas of improvement relating to topside support and other aspects of field services and support for our medics.

What Medilink offers

Remote medic jobs offer experienced medics an exciting, if demanding career redirection. They rank among some of the toughest paths in medical support services but, conversely, they are well remunerated and offer incredible opportunities for medics seeking international roles. Medilink supports its medical staff with continuous professional development, and has immense respect for the exacting roles our medical support staff perform.

Above all, we offer remote medics opportunities to further their careers with a professional and highly-regarded company in global medical support services.

If you’d like to find out more about remote medic jobs with Medilink, feel free to contact us.