"Raleigh encompassed everything I wanted to do - the job I love, travelling to interesting and remote places and being with like minded people. It challenged me and ultimately gave me the experience to be a better practitioner." Sarah Rounding, expedition medic
Raleigh International recruits doctors, nurses and paramedics to help lead our international expeditions. Expedition medics join the volunteer manager team and provide medical care to the venturers (aged 17-24) and volunteer managers (aged 25-75) on our expeditions.
What will I be doing?
As a medic, you will ensure medical kits are fully stocked, educate the expedition on first aid, document all medical issues, update casualty evacuation plans as required, deliver emergency care in remote environments and promote health and hygiene throughout the expedition.
Doctors, nurses and paramedics are based both on remote project sites and at our in-country fieldbase, the operational hub of the expedition.
As a project based medic, you will be part of the project manager team who will ensure the safety of the group, facilitate the venturers’ learning and development, manage relationships with local project partners and participate in the community, environmental or adventure project.
From fieldbase, you will oversee all project sites and direct medical care in accordance to Raleigh protocols to non-medics using radio, satellite and mobile phones. You will also contribute to the smooth running of the expedition by assisting other members of the team with their roles including logistics, communications, administration and finance.
For each expedition an advanced medic is required to join the field base team one week earlier to help set up expedition operations before training begins. Opportunities for this role can be discussed upon application.
Read this excerpt from Tanzania's expedition blog to find out more about the expedition medic role.
Who can be a medic?
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Registered Doctor, Nurse or Paramedic with 2 years post qualification experience and up to date in current practice | A&E experience |
| Ability to deliver emergency care in remote settings | Knowledge of wound management and sports injuries |
| Capable of adapting skills to the outdoor environment and the realities of expedition life | Knowledge of tropical diseases |
| Ability to educate other volunteers on First Aid and promote health throughout the expedition | Previous experience in youth development |
| Ability to be flexible, putting the needs of the venturers and expedition first | Expedition/wilderness Medicine Course |
| Willingness to participate in the adventure phase on expedition which will involve trekking |
If you want to find out more about the role and skills required, read the full role description.
Where and when can I go?
We run expeditions throughout the year in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and Tanzania.
Expeditions are approximately 13 weeks in length, departing in the Spring, Summer and Autumn each year. Eight week expeditions are also available in the summer. For the full list of expedition dates, check out our when can I go? page for volunteer managers.
How much does it cost?
Volunteer managers fundraise £1,950 to join a 13 week expedition. However, medics are offered a bursary, making their fundraising target only £950. For full details of what is covered by this fundraising, visit our How much will it cost? page.
Why should I go?
In case you need any more reasons to join Raleigh, read these inspiring quotes:
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"I highly recommend all youth to have the chance of 'challenge of war in a peace time situation' and experience an expedition with Raleigh International. It will help to 'tone' the side of you that academia cannot reach. For me as a dyslexic it helped me to blossom through practical experience." Claire Bertschinger is the Programme Director of the Diploma in tropical Nursing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Claire participated in Raleigh when it was Operation Drake |
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"In 1987 I was lucky enough to be selected to go on Raleigh in Panama. I was inspired whilst on Raleigh to pursue a career in medicine and specialise in wilderness medicine. I subsequently went on two further expeditions in Zimbabwe and Namibia. I now run my own expedition medicine company providing training to medics wanting to work in remote environment. This year alone I've worked in Norway, Namibia, Costa Rica and Iraq, and have trained over 250 medics. I still think Raleigh is the best place to start your expedition career and am honoured to continue to be involved." Sean Hudson, Expedition Medicine Course Director |
Read more about Euan Naismith's experience as a nurse on expedition in Costa Rica and Nicaragua here.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact our Medical Coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
