Please note 1: Jobs Available are changing all the time. I recommend you come back every one to two weeks and check job listings. Go to the job listings on each website below and check for new opportunities. Positions listed indicate the kind of jobs one usually finds on each website. It's very easy if you bookmark this page.

Please note 2: When the recruiting agent or employer have an on-line application form, you must use it - if you don't, your application goes straight into the waste basket.

Please note 3: None of the listed recruiting agents on this page asks for any placement fee - neither in advance nor later.

Please note 4: Offshore salaries ( wages ) are calculated and based on a 84 hrs work week, i.e. 12 hrs per day 7 days per week. When the job listings give a day rate you won't get paid when you relax at home. If the day rate is USD 300 and rotation two weeks on / two weeks off, you get about 15 x 300 = USD 4.500 per month.

Please note 5: For offshore work everybody must have special Offshore Survival ( "BOSIET" ), Fire fighting and Medical Certificates, also medical staff. Usually agent or employer can advice further where to get these in a specific country. See also Offshore Training and Certificates for more info.

Please note 6: Every link on this page opens in a new window. If your "Pop-up killer" is too efficient it can also stop new windows. When this happens, please press "Ctrl" and click on the link you want.

Please note 7:, If you happen on an acronym you don't know what it means, put your mouse arrow on it and you get an explanation.

Get international immigration and work permit advice.

If you are thinking of searching for a position as medic on remote sites offshore or onshore, it's often easier to start a medical career with a medical service company than applying directly to drilling contractors.

Get How to Become an Offshore Medic and other information you need to get started on an offshore medic's career.

Links to offshore HSE information. Get monthly newsletter with a regular update from European Agency for Safety and Health at Work concerning European and International occupational safety and health.

Alcohol and Drug Policy Model, 09/2007 ( Canadian Offshore Petroleum Industry ) guideline,    1.36 MB. Based on the Standards of the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Australian Industrial Relations Commission (08/2008) determined that as soon as technically possible oral fluid testing should be used instead of urine based testing for random drug use testing. The case involved Shell Refining ( Australia ) [Source: Drug and Alcohol Testing Developments, 09/2008].

US-DOT ( Department of Transportation ) Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance has published their ( revised 08/2008 ) Employer's Handbook for Drug and Alcohol Testing (    1.6 MB). Gives guidelines, best practices, and instructions for building a drug programme. Even it's written for US, it's useful also in other countries - especially if your Government hasn't yet implemented any specific rules.

The alcohol ban on offshore oil-gas rigs is an universal one ( world wide ). After the Exxon Valdez accident ( 1989 ) the ban was extended to cover also supply and stand-by vessels in connection with offshore oil operations.

A possible drug and alcohol testing offshore has, however, been met with some resistance, especially from UK labour unions as well as some Australian ones. When it gets mandatory the oil rig medics will handle the actual testing.

Offshore Medic's Work - Duties

Especially on accident free rigs the medic is expected to be some kind of "Jack-of-all-trades".

As rig medic your job can and most often will include different types of additional tasks whether you work on a Platform, Drilling Rig, DSV, or Pipelaying Barge, etc. Something getting "typical" is what I have copied from an actual job description (Aug. 2008):
- Medic shall give a safety induction talk to all personnel arriving on location.
- Medic shall ensure that all personnel be made aware of breathing apparatus location and the correct method of use.
- Medic shall ensure that all breathing apparatus are inspected and working properly, inspection reports are to be kept on file.
[ These breathing apparatuses are those used for firefighting and/or "smoke diving" ]

In addition, depending on individual employer's policy, a medic is expected to act as personnel officer, administrator and, with some companies, Safety Officer, Helicopter Landing Officer, and storeman. As nobody else knows very much about anything medical he/she is supposed to be the "expert" also on public health, psychiatric care, management of dental emergencies and administration of the sick bay. At some rigs the medic is expected to know the Platform ( Medical ) Emergency Plan for multi-casualty situations and to advise on all aspects of food-handling and hygiene.

In June 2009 I copied this requirement from another job description: "The rig Medic must be prepared to carry out office clerks duties, therefore computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Word and Excel is also essential".

In the near future the use of saturation diving is going to increase. It will therefore be necessary for at least some offshore medics to be familiar also with "diving sickness" and how to best treat that. Furthermore diving regulations require a medic to be on-site in certain circumstances during diving operations.

Oil Rig Medic's Training

I quote an e-mail received: "every piece of paper helps. there are so many people out there looking for jobs. even the experienced guys will not get a look in if they are requiring a specific ticket and don't have ticket. the ticket will get you on the job... it's all an insurance thing."

Oil rig medics were offered in March 2010 UK £ 230 per day in the North sea, rotation 5-7 on / 5-7 off but in June 2010 were offered only £ 180 in UK waters on 4 / 4 rotation and £ 260-270 in Dutch, German, and Norwegian waters on 4 / 4 or 5 / 5 rotation. A position in Uganda went for £ 230 on 5 / 5 rotation.

In June, 2010, "Simply Hired" reported an average salary (US) for an Assistant Life Saving Technician as USD 54.000 per year.

End of 2010 BP Offshore Medic Salaries in United Kingdom ( North Sea ) were reported as GBP ( £ ) 62.000 - 72.000 per year.

When the job listings give a day rate you won't get paid when you relax at home. If the day rate is USD 300 and rotation two weeks on / two weeks off, you get about 15 x 300 = USD 4.500 per month.

Sometimes when a day rate is offered the employee isn't an employee but a self-employed subcontractor. In such a case it would be reasonable for the medic to carry a liability insurance of same kind as regular medical practitioners ashore have. Before signing any day rate contract, check carefully what the employer / main contractor covers and pays ( taxes, social security payments, travel. insurance, etc).

• Non-American and Non-Canadian citizens generally have great difficulties passing a Canadian doctor's certification exams. Partly this is caused by other countries' different teaching techniques and partly by lower medical examination standards in some countries.
  
  
• UK based hyperbaric centre offers dive medical training for doctors: Medical Examiner of Divers, Diving Medicine Physician and Primary Hyperbaric Medicine Course. Get 2011 course schedule (120 MB)  
  
  
• UK statutory training for Offshore Medics, Offshore Medic Certification and re-certification ( renewal ) by distance learning.
  
  
• Medical training for offshore divers with list of Dutch training centres. Nederlands ( Dutch language website )
  
  
• Diver Medic Technician ( DMT ) plus Paramedic training with certificates ( Australia, UK, and USA ). In UK Diver Medic training for hyperbaric chamber operators and advanced technical diving programs ( scroll down the programme list ).
  
  
• IMCA approved Diver Medic Technician course in Singapore and New Delhi ( India ). Get course schedule for 2011.
  
  
• Dive Medical Technician training at Freemantle, Australia. The training centre can assist with finding employment upon successful course. ADAS certification.
  
  
• IMCA accredited Diver Medic Technician, Assistant Bell Supervisor, and Assistant Life Support Technician courses in Marseilles ( France ), English - Français language website - course schedules for 2011 are available.
  
  
• Diver Medic Technician 10 day course in Singapore. One course every month during 2010. Each participant is required to hold an offshore qualification in diving ( can be LSS, LST, Diving Supervisor, or Diver qualification recognised by IMCA ) and a valid diving medical as suitable to go under pressure in a chamber. Sports diving certificates are not acceptable. IMCA-Recognised certificates shall be issued to students who meet the required criteria
  Other courses by same training organization:
  -IMCA Trainee Air Diving Supervisor ( 5 Days )
  -IMCA Trainee Bell Diving Supervisor ( 4 Days )
  -Assistant Life Support Technician ( 9 Days )
  
  
• Medical Technician training in Houston. Certification valid for US.
  
  
• World wide list of IMCA approved training providers for Assistant LST ( Life Support Technician ).
  
  
• IMCA certified Diver Medic courses - 2 weeks. Assistant Life Support Technician, 2 weeks. In Scotland and Tasmania.
  
  
• IMCA accredited Offshore Medic course at Plymouth ( UK ), starts on May 11, 2009, fee £ 1.950 (excluding VAT). Requirements: Registered Nurse or RMN's with at least 3 years experience or alternately Army or Naval or RAF Medical Assistants with at least 5 years service. The training Institute runs also IMCA Diver Medic Technician courses ( UK and Thailand ), Assistant LST courses, and Offshore Air Diving Supervisor courses. Get course list for 2009 with dates and fees  .

• UK training centre for Assistant Life Support Technicians ( IMCA certification ) and other offshore medic / diving courses.
  
  
• IMCA requirements for Dive Technician certification   .
  
  
• HSE approved Medics Training - statutory training by Distance Learning, also re-certification. Contact training provider for more information. See details on webpage.
  
  
• Rig and Dive Medics' Training in UK ( Stockton-on-Tees ). Get 2010 Course calendar   .
  
  
• Diver medic courses in UK.
  
  
• UK HSE approved Offshore Medics Course, Nottingham University Clinical Skills Centre, UK.
  
  
• Offshore Medic course at Teesside. HSE recognised and approved. Persons wishing to work Offshore for the first time can undertake the four week initial Rig Medics course. Additional ( not required ) Dive Medic and Diving First Aid courses at same training centre. Carries a HSE recognised FAAW certificate.
  
  
• Petrofac Aberdeen has been approved by OPITO to deliver the new two day Minimum Industry Safety Training ( MIST ) course. It was expected that before end of 2009, all new entrants to the industry in UK would be required to undergo MIST training before working offshore. I have seen some people concerned about this course may be being compulsory also for medics by April 2010 - I haven't found any confirmation on it yet.
  
  
• Graduate Diploma in Remote and Offshore Medicine by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh ( UK ). Requirements, for instance: Offshore Medic with several years work experience offshore. The online course consists of 12 modules, each 3 months long, must be completed within 5 years. The program ends with a 4 day residential component.
  
  
• I haven't found offshore medic's training in Asia. Once you have your offshore license you can keep up your skills and further your training at International SOS. This work doesn't affect your offshore certificate but it's an extra merit in the ever increasing competition for good jobs for doctors, nurses, medics, and occupational healthcare professionals. See locations in Asia. For employment enquiries use the online form.

Generally only offshore vessels or MODU with more than 100 people continuously onboard will have a medical doctor instead of a medic.

British Government Health and Safety Executive Office ( HSE ) - Marine Offshore Rescue Advisory Group: Good Practice in Offshore Rescue, PDF format - 0.5 MB  .

UKOOA worldwide list of registered / authorised clinics / doctors issuing Oil & Gas UK ( OGUK = ex UKOOA ) approved offshore medical ( fitness ) certificates. Choose your nearest town / city from the list and click on "Go".

Employment Opportunities

• Canadian company handling medical personnel, occupational health, and emergency medical services for offshore oil rigs and "remote sites": emergency physicians ( doctors ), medics ( paramedics ), nurses ( male and female ). Get instructions regarding résumé and how to apply.
  
  
• UK occupational health services provider, including qualified oil rig medics, occasionally have open positions for applicants with trauma care experience. If you don't find a suitable vacancy right now you can send an open application together with your CV. See instructions on vacancy page.
  
  
• Australian recruitment agency specialized in Oil, Gas, and Resource sectors is looking for Offshore Medics to join their team for short term and emergency relief assignments. Must be a Registered Nurse with previous offshore / onshore. BOSIET / HUET qualifications necessary for offshore deployments. Apply by e-mail.
  
  
• International Salvage company requires Life Support Supervisors and Technicians for South Africa. For details go to listing on Offshore Jobs in connection with other diving operations.
  
  
• Canadian recruiter with vacancies for experienced medical professionals interested in working in remote locations such as oil rigs and seismic vessels: Registered Nurses / Paramedics of all levels. Apply electronically through link on recruiter's job page.
  
  
• Indian offshore oil rig medic recruitment / manning agency based in Mumbai - vacancy list not available. Use online form to apply.
  
  
• Egyptian Drilling Company seeks offshore Doctors ( Faculty of Medicine graduates ). Previous offshore experience is not required. Rotation 14 days on / 14 days off. Scroll down on employer's page and apply online.
  
  
• Norwegian owned Singapore based drilling services company with 11 Jackups and two drillships gives two vacancy lists. Be careful when you apply - depending on whether you want on Jack-up or Drillship. Have vacancies for Offshore Medic ( Doctor ) both for Jack-up and for Drillship.
  
  
• International blog listing open vacancies for offshore and remote site medics, paramedics, and nurses. Click on position name on top of job description to apply.
  
  
• International owner and operator of marine construction vessels - 24 DSV and 10 construction barges (2008) employs medics / administration clerics with Emergency Medical Technician Certification ( US ). Instructions how to apply at top of vacancy list, the list contains all available jobs with the medic jobs in the middle.
  
  
• Dutch recruitment agency with vacancies for offshore Medic / Safety officer and Offshore Medic for Diving Support Vessel. Click on job title for more information and to apply. Nederlands
  
  
• Thai manpower agency hires Thai nationals as medics on oil rigs in the Gulf of Thailand. Apply personally at Bangkok office. Use Contact form for enquiries.
  
  
• Dutch recruiting agent occasionally employs medics offshore. You must register first before applying - English language website.
  
  
• Thailand based ( Song Khla ) manpower supplier with an opening for Offshore Medic with minimum 4 years experience as paramedic. Scroll down on job page and click on "Apply" button.
  
  
• UK recruiting agent / crew management company recruits also offshore oil rig medics. Use contact page for enquiries.
  
  
• Onboard crew management company based in Aberdeen (UK) - an "equal opportunity employer" - with a pool of over 800 onboard staff. Also supplying seagoing personnel to a fleet of emergency response and rescue vessels operating both in the North Sea area and Internationally: Masters, Mates, Engineers, Coxswains, etc. Some listed vacancies include salaries offered in UK £ (pound) per year. Click on each vacancy for more details and how to apply.
  
  
• Dutch offshore ( North Sea ) emergency response and rescue services supplier with 32 vessels [ ERRV ] ( January 2008 ) employing mostly British crew. Applicants must have UK CoC or equivalent plus valid STCW-95 and OPITO certification. Use on-line application form.