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Medical Careers at Sea

Are you a healthcare professional looking to combine your medical expertise with an international career?

Through our recruitment partner Hanseatic Connect, we connect qualified Nurses and Medical Doctors with onboard healthcare opportunities across the global cruise industry.

Whether you already have maritime experience or are taking your first step into seagoing healthcare, we'll guide you through the recruitment process and help you embark on your next professional adventure.

Medical professional at sea

Why consider a medical career at sea?

Working onboard offers much more than a traditional healthcare role — the chance to travel the world, work alongside multicultural teams, and deliver high-quality care in a unique and rewarding environment.

Attractive remuneration packages
Opportunity to travel the world
International, multicultural working environment
Single-cabin accommodation
Officer status and privileges
Access to guest facilities onboard
Structured rotations (typically 4 months on / 2 off)
Professional and personal development
A diverse range of medical cases and settings

Whether you're an experienced maritime medical professional or looking to gain your first seagoing experience, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Current opportunities

Nurse

Officer From USD 3,000+ / month

Support onboard medical operations and provide high-quality healthcare to crew and passengers.

Minimum 3 years' clinical experience
International maritime healthcare environment
Registered Nursing qualification
View full job description

Deliver exceptional care at sea. We're looking for qualified, compassionate Nurses to join onboard medical teams and support high-quality healthcare for both crew and passengers. Working closely with the Ship's Doctor, you'll play a vital role in clinical operations, emergency response, health promotion, outbreak prevention, and the day-to-day running of the ship's medical centre.

  • Position: Nurse
  • Reports to: Ship's Doctor / Senior Medical Staff
  • Department: Medical
  • Rank: Officer
  • Location: Onboard cruise vessels

Role overview

You'll help ensure the efficient operation of the ship's medical centre while supporting the highest standards of patient care — providing care to crew and passengers, assisting in emergencies, supporting public-health initiatives, and maintaining medical records and equipment in line with company procedures and maritime regulations.

Key responsibilities

Clinical care
  • Support the Ship's Doctor in daily clinical operations
  • Provide medical care to passengers and crew
  • Implement documented treatment plans
  • Respond to onboard emergencies, in and outside clinic hours
  • Assist with medical referrals and disembarkations
  • Maintain accurate, confidential patient records
Emergency response
  • Participate in all onboard medical emergencies
  • Serve as a member of the Medical Centre Emergency Team
  • Assist with casualty assessment, treatment and transport
  • Take part in drills and emergency-preparedness exercises
Medical equipment & supplies
  • Operate and maintain onboard medical equipment
  • Conduct routine equipment inspections
  • Sterilise surgical instruments and maintain records
  • Monitor medicine and consumable inventory levels
  • Assist with supply requisitions and stock management
Public health & prevention
  • Support outbreak prevention and disease monitoring
  • Maintain outbreak-management supplies and PPE
  • Assist with health screenings and reporting
  • Conduct water testing per onboard safety plans
  • Promote health awareness among crew
Administration & compliance
  • Maintain medical records and required documentation
  • Create medical billing and insurance claim forms
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and maritime regulations
  • Assist with crew first-aid training and preparedness

Requirements

Education & qualifications
  • Registered Nursing qualification
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
  • COVID-19 Contact Tracing certification
Experience
  • Minimum 3 years' post-registration nursing experience
  • Emergency, A&E, urgent care or general practice experience preferred
Technical skills
  • Strong written and spoken English
  • Computer literacy (Microsoft Office, electronic medical systems)
  • Able to communicate effectively with diverse groups
  • Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment
Personal attributes
  • Compassionate and patient-focused
  • Reliable and professional
  • Strong communicator, calm under pressure
  • Committed to confidentiality and respectful care

Required maritime certificates & documentation

  • STCW Basic Safety Training
  • Crowd Management / Passenger Safety certification
  • Security Awareness certification
  • Seaman's Book (where applicable)
  • Maritime English certification
  • MLC-compliant Seafarer Medical Examination
  • Yellow Fever, COVID-19 and Measles vaccination records

Medical Doctor

Officer From USD 7,000+ / month

Lead onboard medical operations and deliver comprehensive healthcare in a dynamic international setting.

Minimum 4 years' clinical experience
Specialist qualification required
Clinical and leadership background
View full job description

Lead healthcare delivery at sea. We're looking for experienced, dedicated Medical Doctors to lead onboard medical operations and provide high-quality care to passengers and crew. As head of the ship's medical centre, you'll oversee clinical activities, emergency response, public-health management, and the leadership of the onboard medical team.

  • Position: Medical Doctor
  • Reports to: Master / Staff Captain
  • Department: Medical
  • Rank: Officer
  • Location: Onboard cruise vessels

Role overview

You'll be responsible for the overall management of the ship's medical centre and the delivery of professional healthcare services — leading clinical decision-making, managing emergencies, supporting public-health initiatives, overseeing compliance, and supervising nursing and support staff.

Key responsibilities

Clinical leadership & patient care
  • Diagnose and treat passengers and crew
  • Lead daily clinical operations
  • Provide medical consultation and healthcare guidance
  • Coordinate medical referrals and disembarkations
  • Maintain accurate patient documentation
  • Ensure high standards of patient care
Emergency response & medical operations
  • Lead the Medical Centre Emergency Team
  • Respond to all onboard medical emergencies
  • Ensure readiness and maintenance of medical equipment
  • Delegate tasks and coordinate emergency responses
  • Review medical resources and procedures regularly
Public health & outbreak prevention
  • Manage outbreak prevention and response
  • Ensure adequate PPE and outbreak supplies
  • Monitor communicable diseases and reporting
  • Advise vessel leadership on public-health concerns
  • Promote health awareness among crew and management
Compliance & administration
  • Ensure compliance with company procedures and maritime regulations
  • Manage medical inventory and pharmaceutical supplies
  • Oversee medical documentation and reporting
  • Support water-safety testing and environmental health
  • Ensure appropriate healthcare-waste management
Team development & training
  • Lead and mentor the onboard medical team
  • Organise first-aid training for crew
  • Participate in emergency drills and preparedness
  • Provide comprehensive handovers before disembarkation

Requirements

Education & qualifications
  • Medical degree from a recognised university
  • Specialist qualification in one or more of: Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesiology, General Practice, Internal Medicine, or General Surgery
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
  • COVID-19 Contact Tracing certification
Experience
  • Minimum 4 years' clinical experience
  • Previous clinical and leadership experience
  • Emergency, A&E, general practice or urgent/acute care background preferred
Technical skills
  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Strong computer literacy
  • Effective communication across all levels of personnel
  • Able to work independently in demanding environments
Personal attributes
  • Strong leadership and decision-making
  • Professional, compassionate approach to care
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; calm and confident under pressure
  • Commitment to confidentiality and patient dignity

Required maritime certificates & documentation

  • STCW Basic Safety Training
  • Crowd Management / Passenger Safety certification
  • Security Awareness certification
  • Seaman's Book (where applicable)
  • Maritime English certification
  • MLC-compliant Seafarer Medical Examination
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the relevant Medical Association
  • Yellow Fever, COVID-19 and Measles vaccination records

Ready to start your career at sea?

Whether you're an experienced seagoing healthcare professional or exploring your first onboard opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Applications are handled by email through our recruitment partner, Hanseatic Connect. Here's how it works:

1

Apply by email

Send your CV and supporting documents, stating the role in the subject line.

2

We review & get in touch

Hanseatic Connect reviews your application and contacts suitable candidates.

3

Onboarding & deployment

Support with training, certification, placement and onboarding, through to deployment.

Send your application, CV and supporting documents to:

[email protected]

Subject line: “Application – Nurse” or “Application – Medical Doctor”

Email your application

Salary, vessel assignment, contract details and onboarding timelines are discussed during the recruitment process and may vary depending on the vessel operator, assignment, qualifications and experience.

Managed in partnership with Hanseatic Connect, an international recruitment specialist supporting healthcare professionals throughout application, onboarding and deployment.

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