Just like a small community, city, or town, cruise ships must have a facility dedicated to helping the sick and injured. When a passenger falls ill or sustains injuries at sea, the hospital staff is trained to treat injuries or stabilize the patient until the ship reaches port.
Hospital facilities on cruise ships are not much different than land-based hospitals. Cruise ship hospitals employ doctors, nurses, surgeons, trauma specialists, psychiatrists, assistants, x-ray technicians, and yes, orderlies. Depending on the size of the ship, the hospital may have a team of medical orderlies on staff as well as psychiatric orderlies. Psychiatric orderlies are also commonly called “Psychiatric Aides.”
Medical orderlies transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. These individuals may also maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. According to CareerServices.com, in order to become a medical orderly you must have at least four years of secondary education, first aid certification, no criminal convictions, and a clean driver’s license. You must also be in good physical condition in order to transport patients throughout the facility. During your training program you will obtain the following skills:
- Basic nursing
- Customer service, computer use and emergency training
- First aid and medical terminology
- Hospital health and safety procedures
- Hygiene and sterilization
- Safe manual handling of the equipment and patient lifts
- Security procedures
- Transportation regulations and procedures
Medical orderlies on cruise ships average around $2,818 per month or $33,822 per year. The salary may be higher or lower based on the type of cruise line and size of ship. In addition to an average salary of $33,822 per year, medical orderlies on cruise ships are eligible for free accommodations and meals, health insurance, and free air travel to and from the ship.
How to Apply for Medical Orderly Jobs on Cruise Ships
If you have a specific cruise line in mind, locate the cruise lines’ OFFICIAL website first. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings. Once you have located the site, visit the website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page. If the cruise line lists job openings, be sure to follow the application procedure to the letter. Applicants that do not follow directions are typically passed over in favor of those that do. If the cruise line does not list job openings on its site, send a polished cover letter and resume to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department is typically located at the cruise lines headquarters. This information is usually listed on the cruise line website. It is important to include the position you are interested in so that it can be directed to the appropriate department manager.
For more information about jobs on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. Here, you can download the 2010 cruise ship employment guide; you can read through cruise line profiles; you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions — and you can even apply for a cruise ship job right online. Please note that this website charges a fee. You can apply for a job on your own, free of charge, sign up with a placement agency, or use Cruise Ship Jobs’ service.