Name: Ian Adams
Job title: HSE Offshore Medic
Company: Odjfell Drilling
Please describe what your job typically involves
My job starts with a Helicopter ride and I live on a floating oil rig for a 3 week period at a time. My day to day job involves treating the usual illnesses that you see at home such as the common cold or chicken pox. I am also called upon to provide emergency medical treatment (similar to a paramedic on an ambulance) if a person suffers from a heart attack or major trauma i.e. broken leg, arm, or even amputated body parts. I treat these people and arrange for a helicopter to take them to a hospital, sometimes this is not possible due to bad weather (thunder storms and fog) so I would have to look after the injured or ill person for a longer period of time. Luckily where I work is very safe and very few accidents happen.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
It is partly money and I get 6 months of the year off! However, I do enjoy the challenge of diagnosing and administering treatment to help improve the health and well-being of others.
What qualifications do you need for this job?
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
University and Other form of training (military)
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Annual training for ongoing skill development and Continued Professional Development for medical side of qualifications.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
I have had a medical job for nearly 20 years.
What do you like most about your job?
Time off to go and do my own things.
Are there any downsides?
Work away from home, so you miss family celebrations quite often, you miss out on social occasions and general day to day family life.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
For working in the Offshore Healthcare Industry, you would need to study A Levels or equivalent and go to University to complete a degree in nursing. For working on oil rigs, any trade can work offshore from Plumber to Engineer to Doctors. It is a varied skill set and everything is required at some point or other. The hours are long, the time away from home and family can be hard. Some people are not suited to the lifestyle. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to work away from home for prolonged periods of time. It’s not suited to everyone.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
Walking in the Lake and Peak District, Scuba Diving, and sleeping. Never underestimate sleep. Occasionally run and Road Bike.
Job title: HSE Offshore Medic
Company: Odjfell Drilling
Please describe what your job typically involves
My job starts with a Helicopter ride and I live on a floating oil rig for a 3 week period at a time. My day to day job involves treating the usual illnesses that you see at home such as the common cold or chicken pox. I am also called upon to provide emergency medical treatment (similar to a paramedic on an ambulance) if a person suffers from a heart attack or major trauma i.e. broken leg, arm, or even amputated body parts. I treat these people and arrange for a helicopter to take them to a hospital, sometimes this is not possible due to bad weather (thunder storms and fog) so I would have to look after the injured or ill person for a longer period of time. Luckily where I work is very safe and very few accidents happen.
Why did you want to do this job, what inspired you?
It is partly money and I get 6 months of the year off! However, I do enjoy the challenge of diagnosing and administering treatment to help improve the health and well-being of others.
What qualifications do you need for this job?
- Qualifications for this Job are:
- Medical Doctor
- Nurse with 3 years post qualification experience
- Paramedic
- Military Medic with 5 years active service (Royal Navy, Air Force, Army)
Did you go to college, university, or did you do an apprenticeship or other form of training?
University and Other form of training (military)
Are you required to do ongoing training?
Annual training for ongoing skill development and Continued Professional Development for medical side of qualifications.
- Every 4 years – Helicopter Underwater Survival Training, Firefighting, damage control.
- Every 2 years – Medical to make sure you are fit and healthy physically and mentally.
- Every 3 years - Offshore Medics refresher course.
Have you always done this job or have you changed career? What did you do before?
I have had a medical job for nearly 20 years.
What do you like most about your job?
Time off to go and do my own things.
Are there any downsides?
Work away from home, so you miss family celebrations quite often, you miss out on social occasions and general day to day family life.
What advice would you give to a young person, who wanted to do a similar job, about how to get started?
For working in the Offshore Healthcare Industry, you would need to study A Levels or equivalent and go to University to complete a degree in nursing. For working on oil rigs, any trade can work offshore from Plumber to Engineer to Doctors. It is a varied skill set and everything is required at some point or other. The hours are long, the time away from home and family can be hard. Some people are not suited to the lifestyle. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to work away from home for prolonged periods of time. It’s not suited to everyone.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work? Interests, hobbies, etc.
Walking in the Lake and Peak District, Scuba Diving, and sleeping. Never underestimate sleep. Occasionally run and Road Bike.
