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Medical Officer-Doctor Reserve

Medical Officer-Doctor Reserve

Play an essential role on the frontline of the medical profession, supporting vital naval operations, all over the world.

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As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.

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  • Undergraduate Degree
  • Surface Fleet
  • Royal Naval Reserve
  • Officer level
A colour image shows a Royal Navy medical officer kneeling down on a ship's deck. She is wearing a blue Royal Navy work uniform, a protective vest, and a utility backpack. She examines several medical supply bags with a flashlight in hand.

Role details

Being a Medical Officer (Reserve) means using your skills to support vital Royal Navy operations, all over the world. You’ll encounter some of the most challenging environments imaginable, so you you’ll develop both personally and professionally. You don’t need any Royal Navy experience, just the desire to practise where you’re needed most, experiencing and doing things few medical professionals can imagine.

  • Deliver world class healthcare as part of a highly skilled and motivated team.
  • Provide vital support to maritime and wider military operations across the globe.
  • Provide support in a range of challenging conditions at sea, on land or in the air. Adapt to a variety of platforms including state of the art warships such as the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
  • With experience, take on the challenge of responsibility for the delivery of clinical care by leading a team of clinicians.
  • Travel the world as part of the front line medical services team.
  • Daily rates of pay equivalent to those of full-time personnel
  • Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
  • Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
  • Automatic membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • Expenses and allowances when undergoing training
  • Access to sports and fitness facilities
  • Opportunities for adventurous training (AT)

Qualifications you'll gain

  • The opportunity to undergo formal management training on reserve staff and command courses
  • Attain NHS accredited qualifications through military service that transpose directly to your civilian medical occupation e.g. Military Operational Surgical Training (MOST) and Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) and underwater medicine course

Skills you'll develop

  • Your medical skills will be broadened and enhanced with direct benefit to your civilian practice
  • You will be trained and developed by an organisation recognised for its ability to turn out world class leaders
  • You must be aged 21 and up to 55, (or 56 if you're serving or an ex-regular), when you start training
  • 5 GCSEs grades C/4, which must include English Language and Mathematics
  • A medical degree (MBBS or equivalent)
  • General Medical Council (GMC) registration, with no restrictions
  • A registered consultant with one of the following specialist qualifications would be considered: Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetist, Intensivist, General Surgery, Trauma Orthopedic.
  • Candidates on a medical specialisation training pathway will also be considered
  • You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen,  or a Dual National. Dual nationality restrictions do apply
  • You need to be within the healthy range for Body Mass Index (BMI) 
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
As a Medical Officer in the Royal Navy Reserve I am able to support military and humanitarian operations worldwide. It’s a challenging and rewarding environment in which to practise and increase my knowledge.

Paul

Royal Navy Reserve Medical Officer

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.

Joining Process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

  • Register your interest
  • Complete your application
  • Presentation
  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
  • Join your local unit
  • Medical and fitness test
  • Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
  • Phase 1 training
  • Training
  • Confirmation course

Register your interest

Find the right profession and entry level for you, make sure you meet the basic eligibility criteria, and register your interest online.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email with more details about your chosen profession, along with an invitation to speak with our friendly recruitment team about any questions or concerns you might have.

Start your application

Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.

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