Instructor/Greenland Medic

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

6d•$55,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The medic is part of a small operational crew onsite to support the science activities in the summer. Population varies in the summer, and indoor heated space is limited, shared and public (with the exception of berthing rooms.) Common courtesy and respect are required, and the operational crew play a role in assisting short-term visitors to achieve a successful trip. Shared tasking is assigned as needed, but at all times, the medic’s priority will be the safety of station personnel. As a subcontractor, the medic represents the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a professional approach is required in all circumstances. Staff and researchers using the station are generally working outside in extreme temperatures. Altitude illness is the most common complaint at Summit Station. The Medic is proactive in preparing visitors for such risks. The Medic Position is stationed at Summit Station, Greenland 24/7 and is scheduled from April through August. These dates will include transit days plus 1 day safety training and orientation in NY en route to Greenland. The Subcontractor’s medical personnel are responsible for maintaining the camp medical inventory on an existing spreadsheet, as well as preparing resupply orders for needed supplies, to include vendor sourcing. They will provide feedback on inventory items to meet the needs of a remote field station. The field medical personnel play an integral role in the operations crew of Summit Station. They are expected to participate in collateral station duties as requested and are subject to station policies. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has been sub-contracted to the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide medical support for the suite of research activities ongoing in the Arctic. Polar Field Services (PFS) is the prime logistics Subcontractor for the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds research activities throughout the Arctic. Research is often conducted in very remote portions of the Arctic where there is little to no access to immediate emergency medical services and/or facilities. PFS provides a basic remote medical kit(s) and Iridium phone(s) to many of these remote field camps while other groups provide their own medical supplies and medications. Summit Station is a Battelle Arctic Research Operations (ARO) supported research facility located at 10,500 feet in elevation at 72.5 degrees North, 38.5 degrees West near the summit of the Greenland ice sheet. Summit Station is open year-round. During the winter months, the population is 5-6 people and staff are Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified. During the months of April – August, the population increases to range from 30-50 people including researchers funded by the NSF to conduct research projects and ARO station operations personnel. The April – August time-frame is staffed by a subcontracted medic (currently certified Paramedic, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant or Physician). During any season, flights in and out of Summit can result in evacuation delays of up to 5 days. Staff and researchers using the station are generally working outside in extreme temperatures. Altitude illness is the most common complaint at Summit Station.

Requirements

Each person working at Summit for longer than one flight period (staff and researchers) must pass an NSF medical and dental exam.
Paramedic, Nurse, NP or PA, MD or DO
2 years’ minimum experience
Microsoft Office
Experience with wilderness medicine, altitude and living and working in extreme snow and cold conditions
High angle rescue