LocumLife - November 2008 - (Page 15)

medical care or backup, so you will be working with limited resources. In certain locations, we can call the Coast Guard or private helicopter in the event of a time-dependent, critical emergency. But in other places, like the South Pacific, it may be a couple days before we can get any kind of medical help.” Last month, Dr. Yeaton completed yet another cruise opportunity aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This time, it was a 12-day cruise of Japan, paying visits to historic cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as other unique sights. What keeps him interested in cruise ship opportunities? “I love being able to travel, enjoy cultural experiences, sample different foods, and meet fascinating people. Plus, doing something unusual like this makes my career and life more interesting. I am one who would have difficulty spending 30 years in the same place with the same job, day after day. I need variety, and being a ship’s doctor really adds that and helps me in achieving some of my personal goals.” COME ABOARD With the Cruise Lines International Association expecting almost 34 million Americans to take a cruise in the next 3 years—and because cruise ships operate on a year-round basis—staffing needs remain constant and opportunities are always available. “We do occasionally hire for as short as 1 week,” says Dr. Bradberry, “but we prefer to avoid that. In essence, we are the family physicians to the crew, providing all of their ongoing care, handling emergencies and also initiating preventive medicine and health wellness programs. So, continuity of care is important. On the physician side, it takes more than a week to get properly oriented to a new vessel. My advice is to sign on for several months and allow the ship to become home. If not, you would miss the full experience, including the gratification of making friends from literally all over the world.” To be a good candidate for cruise ship medicine, notes Dr. Bradberry, physicians are required to have at least 3 years of post-graduate medical training or 3 years of primary care clinical experience. “Some of that training and/or experience must be in emergency medicine. ACLS certification is mandatory, and board certification is encouraged.” He continues, “If you do not have experience in emergency medicine and feel uncomfortable Circle Career Card No. 612 www.LocumLife.com NOVEMBER 2008 LocumLife 15 http://www.weatherbylocums.com http://www.LocumLife.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of LocumLife - November 2008

LocumLife - November 2008 Editorial Contents From Nalto Stat! Residency Corner Sailing the High Seas Last-Minute Luxury International Colleagues Explore the U.S. Advertiser Index Opportunities Direct City Beat Contest Rules Anyone's Guess La Vita Locum

LocumLife - November 2008

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