Rig Medics UK

It’s not the purpose of these guides to tell you how to be a medic –

You already know that.  I’m basically trying to give you an insight into the medic’s job – and some pointers as to what I do to keep myself ‘street-legal’.

Paperwork and protocols are very important in the off-shore world. If you break them – remember – you are the medic. It all comes back to YOU! There’s no need to be scared of paperwork –it protects you if done properly.

The Buck starts here. Don’t Panic!

You’re thinking – OMG – I’m on my own out here!In a few days you’ll be saying ‘Mmmmmm – I’m on my own out here……’ It’s lovely being your own boss, so to speak.

You’ve dumped your bags in the cabin – And you’re sitting in the Sick Bay getting a handover.

Now look for the Porn Stash.(Disclaimer - that was Daddy Coole’s first suggestionJ)

With any luck – you should be spending a couple of days with the off-going medic.

He/she will usually spend a day at least giving you a handover.

(Once you’re au-fait with offshore work – you’ll find you can easily take over with just a decent set of handover notes – or even without as I’ve done in my time…)

Your handover will tell you everything you need to know about the Medical Admin on the installation. This will be specific to the medic’s post – so listen carefully.

There should be an accompanying set of notes for you to read later – but now is the time to ask the other medic about anything you don’t understand. Don’t be afraid to ask – there are no stupid questions. The only stupid question is the unasked one.

Make notes! –A small pocket notebook is an essential tool for any medic.

There may be other small non-medical tasks the medic helps out with – but they are never too complicated. Just write them on a daily list and tick them off as they’re done.

Grumble gut’s Tips:-

Make a list of everything you need to do on a daily basis – prioritising where you can.

Draw a line through them as you do them. It establishes a routine – makes sure things get done –

And is incredibly satisfying when everything’s scored off!

(It also gives you notes for your handover and any meetings you attend).

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IF you have stepped in as Emergency cover for a medic who had to leave suddenly and is not there to give you a handover – he should have left you handover notes. No need to panic.

Get comfy – relax – and read them cover to cover.

The notes should contain contact details of the regular medics, company advisor and topside emergency cover.

There should be contact details for the other regular medic.

The medics won’t mind you contacting them – but I always try the handover, the manual and asking around before I contact anyone at home.

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There should be a Company Medic specific Manual of standing orders.

This is your Bible. READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe not right away – but save yourself a lot of grief by reading it fairly soon.

It will look large – but you’ll find it’s mostly pharmacy lists and forms etc.

Stick to what the Manual says – and you won’t go wrong.

First things to make SURE you understand:-

Who provides Topside Emergency Medical Cover?

Where is their phone number (Stick it in large letters on the wall if it isn’t already there).

Can you dial directly to this number from the Sick Bay – do you need any special codes?

All of this should be recorded in the handover notes.

Secondly – check where your emergency call out equipment is.

Grab bag, de-fib, O2 and NO2 if you’ve got it.

Check expiry dates of everything – medication, gases etc. Is the de-fib charged? Pads in date?

You must be ready for emergencies first and foremost!!!

If you’re getting a handover from the off-going medic – check the grab bag with them.

Find out now if there’s anything you need to put in it.

OK – those two sections are in bold print because I would advise you to get them out of the way as quickly as possible.

You don’t have to – it’s only what I do myself.

Thirdly - I spend my second day going through the entire Pharmacy – checking on expiry dates and quantities.

It really lets you get to know your Sick Bay – and where everything is.

I note everything and check it against the pharmacy database on the computer.

I may take a break by doing a walk around outside to check on Eyewash bottles and First Aid boxes. You get to know the deck and it’s therapeuticJ

I also check the controlled drugs with the Captain (or the OIM if it’s a platform).

Although Medic’s are multi-taskers – you should be given a few days to settle in as a newbie.

Let people know what you’re doing in the Sick Bay – at the morning meetings for example.

It’ll stop them hassling you to help out with stuff until you’ve settled in.

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Let me step aside for a moment – and offer some advice.

No matter HOW good an idea you have about changing/re-arranging everything in the Sick Bay –

DON’T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The other medics may have been there years – they’ve got it the way they like it.

If you’re only there for one trip – please don’t go changing things around.

You’ll annoy them big style.

If you have a great idea – write it down in your handover notes and leave it as a gift for them.

Let them see if they want change.

Confidentiality.

YOU must observe confidentiality scrupulously.

No-one else will, however.

When you find a crew member discussing his colleagues ‘blobby knobby’ problem in detail –

 it’s not because the medic told.

The troops will leave the Sickbay and tell everyone everything that happened.

They have probably sought the advice of the ‘coffee shop inquisition’ before coming to see you.

That’s fine.

What IS important – is that you discuss nothing about a patient with anyone else onboard.

It’s as simple as that.

If senior managers try to bully you for details of anyone – refer them to the Company Doctor.

Let him deal with them.

Most of them know you can’t legally discuss anything anyway – but there are those who will try it on.

I’m hoping this will give you an idea of the sort of thing you’ll be doing.

It will not be definitive or representative of all installations – but you’ll get the gist……