Emergency Medical Team Lead Crew Paramedic

Emergency Medical Team Lead Crew Paramedic

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

This position is a dual role with roughly 0.4 full time (FTE) or 2 days equivalent as the Emergency Medical Team Lead and 0.6 FTE or 3 days equivalent as Crew Paramedic.

In the Emergency Medical Team Lead role, responsibilities include overseeing, training, and supporting the onboard emergency medical team, with a strong focus on emergency preparedness, response coordination, and continuous quality improvement. The role combines clinical, operational, and logistical responsibilities to ensure the team remains fully equipped, prepared, and effective. While this role is a leadership position, overall clinical responsibility during a medical emergency response lies with the Duty Physician or the most senior physician present. As Crew Paramedic, this position involves providing direct healthcare services to Crew and other team members, as well as taking on-call duties during evenings and weekends.

What you will contribute

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM (EMT) LEAD

• Lead and coordinate the Emergency Medical Team’s readiness for onboard medical emergencies.

• Assigned to the ship EMT muster list as EMT Lead, in compliance with maritime regulations and emergency management requirements.

• Orientate new EMT crew members to their operational duties including location and use of equipment, policy and processes, training, and resources.

• In conjunction with the deck department, plan and provide training scenarios for EMT ship drills.

• Provide regular EMT clinical training sessions including simulations with EMT equipment to maintain operational readiness and ensure competency of EMT members with maintenance of training records.

• Maintain operational readiness including EMT duty rosters, overseeing maintenance of medical supplies and equipment with completion of checklists and audits.

• Arrange and participate in post-incident debriefings and quality improvement discussions.

• Work with the ship Safety Officer on maintenance of ship-wide maritime first aid kits and medical equipment.

• Assist the Crew and Occupational Health team with developing, reviewing, and implementing EMT policies and SOPs to ensure compliance with maritime and fleet organizational standards.

• Work with Hospital department management on EMT procedures during Hospital resuscitation (code blue) situations.

• Oversee crew health maritime supply requirements for sailings.

CREW PARAMEDIC

• Report to the Crew Clinic Nurse Manager and work collaboratively to ensure coordinated, safe and high-quality care delivery.

• Provide clinical support in the Crew Clinic by participating in medical consultations, triage, assessment, and treatment for team members (crew, land-based staff, day crew, contractors, and visiting staff) and onboard guests.

• Provide communicable disease support, including clinical care and monitoring for crew in cabin isolation.

DUTY PARAMEDIC

• Act in the role of Duty Paramedic as part of the on-call out-of-hours Duty roster.

• Provide urgent care outside normal working hours for Crew and other Mercy Ships Team Members and onboard Guests.

• Attend Emergency Medical Team calls.

SUPPORT/ ADMINISTRATIVE

• Participate in Crew and Occupational Health review board, committee meetings and other meetings as required.

• Actively participate in maintaining and improving quality standards of patient care.

• 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.

For This Role, You Will Need

• 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.

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

• Proficiency in computer applications, particularly Microsoft 365 including Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.

• International Driver’s License is recommended, as driving may be required as part of departmental duties (purchase prior to travel if necessary)

• Able to live in and contribute to community life, requiring stable and healthy interpersonal skills.

• A background check / criminal records check is required.

• Fluent in written and verbal English.

• Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision and committed to its core values.

• Adherence to the Mercy Ships Code of Conduct.

• Attend and participate in all official community/departmental meetings and team meetings/devotionals.

• Achieves a high level of trust in relationships, respects others, is open and honest, and admits mistakes.

• Works cooperatively and actively engages with others by sharing responsibilities and information.

• Develops rapport with Team Members and maintains positive working relationships through clear and effective communication.

• Successful completion of On Boarding (Gateway) program for commitments of 12 months or longer.

• Registered Paramedic with current licensure in home country.

• Minimum of two years of experience required post licensure.

• Evidence of clinical practice within the past two years.

• Demonstrated experience in emergency leadership or coordination.

• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

• Experience in emergency operations or incident management is preferred.

• Experience in training delivery and simulation-based learning is recommended.

• Demonstrated pediatric clinical experience is required.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, including practical ‘hands-on’ manikin training, is required.

• Successfully completed, or is willing to complete:

• Advanced Life Support (ALS or ACLS)

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

• Basic Safety Training in accordance with STCW A-VI/1-1 to 1-4, as required per maritime law.

• Crowd Management Training in accordance with STCW A-V/2-1.

• Security Awareness Training in accordance with STCW A VI/6-1.

• Crisis Management & Human Behavior Training in accordance with STCW A-V/2-3.

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. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.