Anyone ever had experience with International SOS

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Its a company that treated my father. He had a MI in honduras, the company he works for has International SOS for their foreign country travelers. They sent a RN down to ride back with him on the commercial flight. He had ACLS drugs, I assume a lifepack12, and some 02 just incase anything happened en route. Im now kind of interested in working for this type of company, think it would be different. Im an ER nurse and an EMT.

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ISOS is one the the primary providers my current employer deals with. As I understand, ISOS will not fly their crews into conflict areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan. They essentially subcontract us to perform these medical evacuations.

In addition, they run remote clinics that are client based. Allot of oil companies in African and off shore clinics as well. I have a friend who worked as a Paramedic in Equatorial Guinea as a remote paramedic. He worked one month on and one month off.

I went through the interview process with ISOS and they appeared to run a professional setup. I ended up going with another company simply because I am able to travel more and see more of the world.

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hey thanks for your reply!

what company do you work for?

is the pay for ISOS good? im still new to this idea or type of nursing care. im very interested in it however. what are the qualifications to follow this route?

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I work for a small company that provides remote medical care, training, consulting, and medical evacuations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and UAE. Less than 100 employees.

I cannot say what the exact pay would be for a dedicated flight nurse position. I actually interviewed for a remote clinic position. My job title would have been that of a remote medic. I was offered a modest salary by some of the nursing standards in the US. (Considering all of the mad OT and travel) However, my current salary is rather modest as well. When factoring in concepts such as free insurance, accommodations, food, clothing, equipment, training, and travel, the actual pay could be much higher. However, after taxes, the amount of money I actually see is a bit under the six digit mark. I plan to augment my pay with PRN work when I take leave.

I suspect companies have all sorts of minimum qualifications. I will say that because this is such an international area, much of the process will take place via online and telephone correspondence. I highly recommend you develop god curriculum vitae writing techniques and are proficient at communication by email, fax, and have a scanner.

You need to have a valid passport prior to thinking about this kind if work and a working idea of what to expect in your country of assignment. A passport from the USA is actually a good think when going in and out of foreign airports and passing through customs. In the middle east, most people go through Dubai. You will not have to bother with the hassle of customs and a visa screen in Dubai as a US citizen. Simply go through passport control, ensure you have a place to stay, and you get stamped through. I would refrain from waving at the poor souls backed up in the retinal scan line however.

Good linguistic skills are a plus as well. I speak a fair amount of Spanish; however, my mad skills have failed me in an area where everybody speaks Dari and my fellow colleagues speak Africans.

The work that I do is quite varied. You need to be highly independent, flexible, and ready to make decisions without a physician around. In addition, you must have a solid understanding of pharmacology and off label uses of medications. Know the common TB and malaria medications as well. Many of the names including generics are not the same as the USA. Duragesic for example, is not a fentanyl patch over here. It is tylenol mixed with a muscle relaxer. Also know other routes for medications. For example, Tramadol is given IVP frequently over here.

On a final note, as a US citizen you must be flexible. I find many of us expect the world to run the same was as the USA. This is simply not the case. Know when you need to push and know when you simply have to go with the flow. Respect other cultures even if you do not believe in their way. Life will be easier for you and you will live longer.

I am still a newbie, so I may have additional pointers later on.

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dude, sounds like your the "james bond" of the nursing world. seriously, im envying your job role right now. just under 6 digits? are you kidding me? thats awesome pay, esp if you get eats, lodging, and insurance free.. i only make around 20 an hour here in my ER. it sucks!

im ready for something bigger, and different.

i like to travel!

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I am most definitely not a "James Bond" of nursing. My work involves no secret squirrel stuff. Trust me, you can make similar wages at a travel position with OT. Please, do your homework and try to obtain a good idea of what to expect. I guarantee you, I have had several jobs that would not be considered glamorous. Know well what you are getting into before writing off the United States.

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Hi there folks hope you are all well!

Can anyone out there give some advice on working with Int SOS.

I have a fairly good idea on the roles available and have worked in similar roles before.

Can you tell me what the salary range for a remote clinic nurse and / clinic manager is?

Any other advice on renumeration would be appreciated too.

thanks

:uhoh3:

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Sorry mate, many of us were required to sign confidentialty agreements regarding specifics of pay.

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ok thanks for the reply.

Could you possibly contact me "off thread" on [email protected]

kindest regards

G

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