Since our founding in Berlin in 2015, SOS Humanity has been active as a civilian search and rescue organisation to ensure that no one has to drown at sea and that everyone is treated with dignity. With our rescue ships Humanity 1 and Humanity 2 we operate in the central Mediterranean to rescue people in distress at sea, protect them and bring them to a place of safety.

For our operational crew we are looking for a Medical Doctor

As the medic you are part of the 4-person medical team, consisting of medical doctor, paramedic OR nurse, midwife and mental health specialist. The medical-team is part of the care team on board and supervised by the Care-Coordinator (CareCo) during the rotation. 

The clinic onboard Humanity1 is equipped with first- and secondary aid to provide emergency medical support as well as support over a longer period until a port of safety is reached. During a rescue and during the aftercare of survivors, the medical team on board is supported and guided by a medical team on land, which is available for any questions or concerns that may arise. They also provide onboarding documents with information to prepare for different scenarios and lists for the inventory prior to the rotation.  

Tasks and Responsibilities

Medical Triage and Care:

• Perform triage and initial medical care for rescued individuals upon their arrival on board. 
• Recognize and address potentially life-threatening complications promptly, such as secondary drowning. 
• Provide basic medical care to rescued individuals and crew members as required during the mission. 

Decision-Making and Medevacs: 

• Assess and decide on the need for medevacs in consultation with the Head of Mission Team. 

(Medical) Referrals:

• Ensure continuity through medical referrals to USMAF and other relevant medical organizations on land. 
• Work hand in hand with all the Care Team, especially the Protection Representative, to ensure detection and referral of all medical and non-medical vulnerabilities relevant for a person’s international protection request.  
• Document medical diagnoses and treatments for internal use and as necessary for official disclosures. 

Inventory: 

• Maintain the clinic in an orderly and operational condition throughout the mission. 
• Organise/coordinate the inventory at the end of the rotation

Professional Requirements:

• Valid license to practice medicine. 
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a clinical discipline. 
• Specialization in emergency medicine with significant experience in emergency medical services or intra-hospital emergency care. 
• Completion of emergency medicine specialization. 
• Demonstrated experience with at least 50 self-directed interventions in emergency settings or comparable intra-hospital emergency experience. 

Skills and Competencies: 

• Ability to make critical decisions under pressure and in resource-constrained environments. 
• Proficiency in early recognition and immediate response to medical and psychological emergencies. 
• C1 in English; proficiency in Italian, French, Arabic, or Farsi is advantageous. 
• Sensitivity in communicating with and treating traumatized patients, respecting cultural backgrounds, and maintaining patient dignity. 

Desirable Qualifications and Skills: 

• Experience or training in humanitarian emergencies and SAR operations. 
• Familiarity with multicultural environments, enhancing communication and care delivery.