At a glance
Your second-to-none medical knowledge is a given. You’ll need much more than that, adapting your skills in wide-ranging environments, from conflict zones to tri-service hospitals. It's a career like no other.
Healthcare & Medical Officer
Lead a medical team with extensive medical skills in a wide range of contexts, in the UK or overseas.
Start your application
As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interest£34,300
Minimum salary from day one
6 weeks
Of paid holiday every year
Degree
You need a full medical, dental or nursing degree
Pension
Non-contributory pension scheme
Free
Medical and dental care
Travel
All around the world
I get to work alongside colleagues in the NHS, helping those in Britain most in need. But even better, the Royal Navy allows me to help people all over the world who often don’t have access to the care we take for granted.
What you can do
Profession details
Joining the Royal Navy as a Healthcare and Medical Officer means bringing your extensive medical knowledge to any challenging environment, at sea or on land. You might provide care in a conflict zone or during humanitarian operations. You could also take on leadership at a Joint Hospital Group Unit (Plymouth, Portsmouth, or Birmingham) and care for both NHS and military patients from all defence services. Specialist areas include dentistry, nursing, environmental health, or clinical care in the Submarine Service.
- Join at a rank that reflects your experience and be part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces
- As an Officer in the Royal Navy Medical Branch, you can be deployed on a ship, submarine or with the Royal Marines anywhere in the world taking charge of all personnel's medical needs, whether that be day to day medical issues or emergency situations
- Gain knowledge and experience in tropical and diving medicine as well as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear medicine to understand the broad skill set you need to do your job in a variety of challenging and unique environments
- Competitive salary against equivalent NHS roles
- Good pay and promotion prospects throughout your career
- An excellent pension scheme
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
- Sports and adventurous training opportunities
Qualifications you'll gain
- Funding opportunities to continue personal and professional education
- The Royal Navy will offer to fund selected specialisms and wider qualifications for both personal and professional development
- Civilian recognised Leadership and management qualifications
Skills you'll develop
- How to be a leader and apply your medical knowledge in challenging environments
- Opportunities to specialise in clinical areas such as general practice, surgery, trauma and orthopedics, anesthetics, intensive care or emergency medicine
- Please tick the boxes below to confirm your eligibility
- You must be between 20 and 39 years old (You can start your application from 17 years old however you must be at least 20 years old on day of entry to basic training)
- 5 grades A*-C (9-4) Including English Language and Maths
- You need a relevant Degree and UK GMC, GDC or NMC registration
- Dental Officers need a densitry degree and full General Dental Council registration
- Nursing Officers require a BSc/MSc in Adult Nursing or Mental Health Nursing and a full NMC Registration
- Health Physicists need a BSc in Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biological Sciences
- Environmental Health Officers need a BSc/MSc in Environmental Health
- You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen or a Dual National
- Minimum height of 145cm
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- An ambitious, passionate medical professional
- A confident leader
- Always calm under pressure
- Have a spirit of adventure
Day one
Start Medical Officer training, prepare for life at sea
Year one
Become the doctor on board your ship or submarine, lead a team
Year two
Spend time ashore, teach Medical Assistants, develop skills
First promotion
Become Lieutenant Commander, work towards your chosen speciality
Joining Process
From picking your profession to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as an officer.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Interview
- Qualified Mental Health Nurse Assessment Board
- Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
- Start training
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.
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Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day