Offshore Medic Training
The Regulations surrounding suitability to undertake training as an Offshore Medic are laid out by the Health & Safety Commission in the Offshore Installation and Pipeline Works (First Aid) Regulations 1989. The Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (ACOP) relating to these regulations were updated in 2000. In relation to Regulation 5(1) the ACOP states in paragraph 52 that the training is –
"designed to build on basic medical or nursing skills already held by candidates. Successful candidates are therefore likely to be nurses (registered general or enrolled nurses whose names are on the UKCC for nursing, midwifery and health visiting register or acceptable equivalent). Other candidates may be suitable and it is for the training organisation to determine if they have the basic necessary medical or nursing skills."
N.B. Since these Regulations were drafted the UKCC has become the Nursing and Midwifery Council, (NMC).
Offshore Medics deal with emergencies rarely but may have to care for these people for some time before medevac is available. The majority of cases are much more akin to a GP consultation, and will likely remain on the offshore installation and may require aftercare. The Oil & Gas UK Health Advisory Committee (HAC) is of the opinion that candidates from the following disciplines are likely to have the necessary skills and experience to properly perform the role of Offshore Medic.
Minimum qualifications considered suitable for acceptance to train as an offshore medic:
-Registered General Nurses (RGN) or Enrolled Nurses (EN),
who appear on the NMC register, and have a suitable portfolio with at least 3
years post registration experience.
-RMN's with other nursing qualifications, (RGN or EN), who
appear on the NMC register and have a suitable portfolio with at least 3 years
post registration in general nursing.
-Naval Medical Assistants, who have attained the rate of
Leading Medical Assistant and have a suitable portfolio with at least 5 years
service.
-Army Medical Assistants (CMT1), who have attained the rank
of Corporal and have a suitable portfolio with at least 5 years service.
-RAF Medical Assistants, who have attained the rank of Corporal and have a suitable portfolio with at least 5 years service. (as very few candidates come from the RAF their suitability should be scrutinised carefully)
Training providers are strongly advised to follow the above examples when considering whether a candidate is suitable to train as an Offshore Medic. They are advised to treat the above examples as an absolute minimum and should interview candidates if they have been absent from acute specialities for some time or are relatively inexperienced.