Anesthesia Provider

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

The Anesthesia Provider provides anesthetic care (without the supervision of another medical doctor) to patients undergoing surgical and diagnostic procedures as well as occasionally manage patients in the Intensive Care Unit.

What you will contribute

• Pre-operative patient assessment

• Culturally appropriate explanation of anesthesia to the patient

• Preparation and checking of drugs, monitoring and all anesthetic equipment

• Administration of general anesthesia

• Maintain clear anesthetic records on each patient

• Participate in Anesthetist on-call schedule

For This Role, You Will Need

• Consultant of Board Certified Anesthesiologist, Registrar level anesthesia provider or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience (including anesthesia training) is desirable

• Must be actively practicing Anesthesia within the past 2 years

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification or Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification required

• Fluency in English

• Flexibility and sensitivity to language and cultural diversity

• Proficiency in spinal anesthesia, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, difficult airway management of patients in intensive care is desirable

Special Guidance for CRNAs:

• Mercy Ships is a remote environment where supervision by a physician anesthesiologist cannot be guaranteed at all times. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists wishing to work as an Anesthesia Provider must understand and agree to work in this situation and be able to take full responsibility for their actions.

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)’s must be prepared to work without medical supervision, including on call responsibilities. These responsibilities may include caring for infants and patients with difficult airways in the operating room, as well as caring for critically ill patients in the ICU.

• CRNA’s serving for the first time are expected to apply for an Anesthetic Assistant position in order to assess their comfort and skill level before being accepted to serve as an Anesthesia Provider.

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve — and your own.