FAQ: Medical Professionals
Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Professionals
What surgical procedures do you perform on board?
Do I need to be a RN?RNs are preferred for most nursing positions, but we do have opportunities for other licensed personnel.
**Additional qualifications required. Educators should have some background in training. Secretary and Administrative Assistant positions require computer literacy. Coordinator positions require demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
Do you use general surgeons?Yes. The surgical procedures performed most frequently are inguinal herniorrhaphies for large hernias and thyroidectomies.
Do you use medical or nursing students?Medical and nursing students often ask to join Mercy Ships as an elective session or to get exposure/experience in a developing country however we are unable to accommodate these requests because the majority of the positions in the hospital requires a current license and we do not have personnel or bed space on board currently to facilitate these opportunities. There are positions which do not require a license (such as sterilization assistant or central supply assistant), but often they do not meet a medical or nursing student’s objectives.
Do I need experience before volunteering?Mercy Ships requires at least 2 years of post graduate experience before volunteering for most medical positions in the hospital.
Does my license need to be current?You must hold an active license in good standing in your home nation. You will be asked to submit copies of your license and diploma and may have to submit passport photos and complete an additional application for registration in our host nation. If you can submit this with your application, it expedites the process.
Do I need malpractice insurance?Mercy Ships operates in a host country pursuant to a protocol in which host government agrees to hold harmless all Mercy Ships staff and volunteer medical providers (including physicians) based on due diligence by Mercy Ships to provide qualified providers and that negligence is not involved. Furthermore, legal council advises that suits brought outside of the host country are a possibility in our increasingly litigious world. Each medical provider should check with their own insurance carrier as to their exposure that results from volunteer international activities. Mercy Ships is looking into options to provide this but at this time is unable to offer any malpractice insurance for volunteer medical workers.
What is the minimum commitment?A minimum commitment is specified for each position, based on the orientation required and need for consistency. While it is easier for a member of the surgical team to come for only two weeks, ward nurses require a more extensive orientation and therefore come for a minimum of two months. Because of the time change, coming from the US for only two weeks can be harder than coming from Europe for two weeks.
What will my schedule be (night/weekends. etc?)Schedules vary depending on where you work. Ward nurses work rotating shifts, which will include nights and weekends. OR staff and other ship-based teams tend to work weekdays, day shifts. Some days may be long. Physicians, anesthesia providers, and OR nurses rotate evening/weekend call. Dental personnel, Community Health Educators, Eye field team members, Mental Health team members, and Palliative Care team members work off the ship Monday through Friday. This means they are usually in a hot environment. During rainy season, you’ll get wet! You can expect to work approximately 10 shifts in every 2 week period. You will usually receive one weekend off every two weeks. We work 8 hour shifts during the week and 12 hour shifts at the weekend. You will work a mixture of day and evening shifts, with 4-5 night shifts in a 4 week period. Night duty is expected of all ward nurses. Shift times are as follows: Day: 7am -3pm Evening: 2pm – 9.30pm Night: 9pm-7.30am
What are nursing responsibilities on the ward?You’ll be expected to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends. You will care for 5-7 patients of varying acuity on a day or evening shift. On a night shift, you will care for approximately 10 patients. We have a busy surgical ward, so you will care for patients with simple incision lines and more complicated skin graft dressings, surgical drains, NG tubes, urinary catheters, IV fluids, IV antibiotics, naso-pharyngeal airways and occasionally tracheostomies. When you arrive, you will be given the opportunity to tell us how comfortable you are with certain skills and this will be taken into consideration when you are allocated a patient assignment. We have an ICU where ICU nurses care for ventilated and critically ill patients.
Can I bring my spouse/kids?We generally are not able to accommodate families, though we sometimes may accommodate couples. This is strictly a housing issue. A final decision on couples housing, if the spouse is not filling a position in HealthCare Services, may be delayed until 2 months prior to the time of service. Family housing is reserved for long-term crew (those who have made commitments of 2 years or more).
Do I need to bring my own scrubs?Scrubs are provided for those who are involved in direct patient care. You may choose to bring your own scrubs if you like a bit of personal style, etc. Mercy Ships launders the scrubs we provide. However you are responsible for laundering any personal scrubs.
What are the medicines we use on board?Mercy Ships International follows the World Health Organization recommendations for essential medicines and has had its own essential medicines formulary book with dosage guidelines since 2003.
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