Crew Clinic Nurse Manager

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

The Crew Clinic Nurse Manager is responsible for overseeing the operational management of the Crew Clinic and ensuring high-quality patient care for crew. This role includes supervising nursing staff and collaborating with healthcare, administrative, and maritime professionals to deliver efficient and effective crew healthcare services. The position also involves direct patient care, including participation in on-call duties and the Emergency Medical Team.

What you will contribute

CREW CLINIC MANAGEMENT

• Operational and administrative management of the Crew Clinic, overseeing the day-to-function of the Clinic Crew including the management of Crew Nurses and Day Crew Receptionist.
• Work collaboratively with the department lead, the Lead Crew Physician in managing the assessment and treatment of patients while reviewing, maintaining and improving quality standards of patient care.
• Actively engage in management and committee meetings and contribute to discussions at department leadership level.
• Facilitate the Onboarding orientation process for newly hired Crew Clinic nurses, physicians and Day Crew.
• Organize the clinic work schedule for nurses and physicians, and evaluate time off requests in alignment with current and projected staffing needs.
• Conduct job performance reviews for line-managed staff.
• Oversee and manage Crew Clinic clinical processes including Wellness, vaccination and tuberculosis screening clinics, public health and communicable disease management, medical briefings such as pre-sail or new crew briefings.
• Oversee and manage Crew Clinic operational processes such as ensuring up-to-date information in communication channels, overseeing crew health maritime requirements for sailing (Declaration of Health, minimum sailing list requirements), ensuring compliance with maritime laws and safety protocols.
• Manage and delegate responsibility for day-to-day Clinic operations such as supply, housekeeping, allocation of clinical duties, providing informative briefings to incoming crew about Crew Clinic services.
• Participate in monthly clinical case management meetings with the medical review team, presenting current medical review, leave of absence or medical evacuation cases.
• Participate in the ship safety committee including identification and mitigation of clinical and operational risks.
• Oversee the administrative and scheduling functions within the patient Electronic Medical Record system.

CREW/DUTY NURSE

• Assist with medical consultations, triage and treatment in the Crew Clinic for Team Members (crew, land-based staff, day crew, contractors, visiting staff) and guests onboard.
• Assigned to the ship muster list as an active member of the Emergency Medical Team, in compliance with maritime regulations and emergency management requirements.
• Act in the role of Duty Nurse as part of the on-call Duty Nurse roster shared between Crew Nurses providing urgent care outside normal working hours.
• Attend Emergency Medical Team calls.

SUPPORT/ ADMINISTRATIVE

• Participate in Crew and Occupational Health review board and committee meetings and other meetings as required.
• Maintain professional licenses, certifications and clinical practice standards
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the vessel Safety Management System for the performance of assigned duties.
• Assist with development, editing and review of Crew and Occupational Health policies and procedures.

For This Role, You Will Need

• Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program is required for commitments exceeding 12 months.
• Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision and committed to its core values.
• Able to live in and contribute to community life, requiring stable and healthy interpersonal skills.
• Understand and apply servant leadership, work collaboratively with integrity, and demonstrate accountability.
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to respond promptly to requests and to obtain, manage, and communicate information in a timely and confidential manner.
• Demonstrate flexibility and sensitivity to cultural and language diversity.
• Highly developed relational skills, including the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in computer applications, particularly Microsoft 365 including Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• International Driver’s License is recommended, as driving may be required as part of departmental duties.
• A background check / criminal records check is required.
• Successful completion of, or willingness to complete, Basic Training in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-1 to 1-4, as required per maritime law. This training may be offered and obtained through Mercy Ships if not completed prior to serving.
• Registered Nurse/ Nurse Practitioner with current licensure in home country.
• Minimum of five years of experience required post-licensure.
• Evidence of clinical practice within the past two years.
• Previous experience in a leadership or supervisory role is required.
• Pediatric experience is strongly recommended.
• Current Basic Life Support certification is required.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) is recommended.
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) is recommended.

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most.