HSE Offshore Medic

The aim of this two week Offshore Medic Course is to prepare someone who already has high degree of medical knowledge and understanding to work in the offshore environment.  

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) can be used for this course.

 (ID: 3436)

Core Activities

• The course balances theoretical aspects with practical scenarios in a simulated offshore and maritime emergency environment
• Use of a purpose built ship’s medical room and hyperbaric chamber environment is also available
• ‘Live casualty’ actors increase the sense of realism

Core Modules: Offshore Medic

Week One:

• Offshore First Aid which is taught at an advanced level
• All students will be expected to deliver 30-45 min lesson assessed and marked by IQA assessor.

Week Two:

• Diving injuries including DCI and Hyperbarics
• Confined space Awareness
• Working at Height Awareness
• Mental Health Awareness
• IV cannulation & IO access
• Catheterisation
• ILS
• Wound care & suturing
• Penthrox administration & other drugs
• One day with DDRC Diving Doctor covering: Neuro examination; chest examination including needle compression, Thoraquik & chest drain insertion
• Abdominal examination and acute medical/surgical emergencies offshore
• Pre-Hospital Thrombolysis
• General discussion (minor ailments) including eyes, ears & skin conditions
• Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety (online course) + another module of the students choice
• Oral examination (30mins) minor ailments inc. asthma, epilepsy, diabetes & dermatological conditions

Placements

The HSE Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989 (OFAR) state that students must complete 60 hours of placements in an Emergency Department (or similar) in order to achieve the HSE Offshore Medic qualification. 

The placement must be completed up to 3 months prior to, or 2 months following, the course. Placements completed outside of this timeframe will not be accepted.

In the past, placements were organised by DDRC and took place at the Emergency Department of Plymouth University Hospitals NHS Trust.  Unfortunately this was ceased due to the pandemic. However, it is anticipated that this will be able to resume later this year.  As such, for the time being and until further notice, students attending the course will need to ARRANGE THEIR OWN PLACEMENTS.

Written confirmation of the offer for a placement, along with verified logs of the placement hours, are required as evidence.  Further details, including the requirements and document templates, will be provided to you once you upon registration of the course.

If you have any queries before you book, please contact training@ddrc.org.

All course instructors are members of the Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care.

DDRC Professional Services is committed to the delivery of high quality training and support to our clients. We pride ourselves on listening to our client’s requirements and providing cost effective, high quality solutions tailored to client needs. DDRC Professional Services operates to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. The procedures employed conform to client and company requirements and ensure the health, safety and welfare of all clients, preventing exposure to unacceptable risk.

An HSE Offshore Medic Certificate will be awarded to students completing the course, along with an HSE Offshore First Aid Certificate.

The certificates are valid for 3 years, after which time a Refresher course will be required.

Certification includes:

• HSE Offshore Medic certificate
• HSE Offshore First Aid certificate
• DDRC Certificate of Attendance: Oral examination on Offshore Medicine by Physician
• DDRC Certificate of Attendance: Thrombolysis
• DDRC Certificate of Attendance: Diving Injuries
• DDRC Certificate: Confined Space Awareness
• DDRC Certificate: Working at Heights Awareness
• DDRC Certificate: Mental Health Awareness

Applicants wishing to attend the Offshore Medic Course must meet the criteria set out in the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First Aid) Regulations 1989, (SI 1989 No. 1671). They state that the student is either: 

• Registered Nurse - Adult, 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), 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, RMA1), who have a suitable portfolio with at least 5 years service.
• RAF Medical Assistants, who have a suitable portfolio with at least 5 years service.
• Paramedic, with 3 years post registration experience

If you are unsure if you are eligible to attend, please contact training@ddrc.org and provide a copy of your CV to be reviewed.

Please note that you will be required to provide evidence that you meet the above pre-requisites.