View Full Version : Aviation Medicine/Medical Officer
beaconfell
18th Aug 2022, 12:30
Hi All,
New here. My apologies if this isn't the best subfurum for this question...
Any posters here (ex) Medical Officers?
I'm ex RAF groundcrew. I was very fortunate to have a tour on the Reds which included lots of back seat flying. The trip down to the CAM at Henlow sparked off an interest in aviation medicine and changed the course of my life. I was going nowhere in the RAF and couldn't see that changing. I'd tried the commission route, considered NCA, but it wasn't the right path for me and didn't work out. One day I thought 'go big or go home'... so I walked out and, long story short, went from being a JT to Doctor (via many painful, expensive, med school years!). I've been working as a Doctor 2 years now.
I still find the world of aviation fascinating and miss parts of life in the RAF. I'm keen to find some way to direct my career back toward aviation whether that be military or civilian.
I'm just wondering if any you here are current or ex RAF Medics or close to those who are? I'd be very thankful for anyone who'd be willing to give me a bit of a steer in the right direction. It's an incredibly niche field, and my background's a bit unique, so could definitely use an expert opinion.
Many thanks.
NutLoose
18th Aug 2022, 12:43
I take it you have read, and welcome to the forums.
https://recruitment.raf.mod.uk/roles/roles-finder/medical-and-medical-support/medical-officer
beaconfell
18th Aug 2022, 12:56
Yes, I've had a good read of the recruitment website information. Unfortunately, career/training pathways for Doctors can be very complex and require careful navigation.
Stuck On The Ground
18th Aug 2022, 13:49
At the risk of opprobrium from some of the more sensitive members on this site...
It would seem that your first step must be to check your ethnicity and gender.
flyingorthopod
18th Aug 2022, 14:51
General path to aviation medicine has been primary care pathway then jumping across but this isn't universal and aviation and space medicine is now a CCT speciality in its own right. Suggest speaking to recruiting team in first instance - I will see if I can find anyone happy to chat
beaconfell
18th Aug 2022, 15:02
Thank you.
I have been in contact with the recruiters and have an phone + email contact now for the Medical & Dental recruitment team. I'll have a chat with them for sure to at least get some official line on if anything might get in the way of me looking at this route.
NutLoose
18th Aug 2022, 15:22
Civilian wise as an AME you can find details here
https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Examiners/
421dog
18th Aug 2022, 17:24
If FAA stuff would be of any assistance, am happy to tell you whatever I can (senior Ame)
alfred_the_great
18th Aug 2022, 17:50
Ironically, if you want to be an MO and a qualified military pilot, only the Army offer you that opportunity.
Haraka
18th Aug 2022, 17:53
I had some of the best times with the Avation medics in the Institute of Aviation Medicine at Farnborough in the late 60's early 70\s
I was a Cranwell Cadet who had been accepted unconditonally to go to the University of London to do a Human Biology degree ( Because of my Branch a medical degree was not permitted )
I spent every day I could at Farnborough before and during my Degree course.
Superb education!
Because of my Honours Degree I was exempt the first MB of a medical degree , A subject which was approached later when I was faced with a career change.
beaconfell
18th Aug 2022, 18:21
If FAA stuff would be of any assistance, am happy to tell you whatever I can (senior Ame)
Thank you for the kind offer. Unfortunately, I don't think a move to the US would be on the cards. It's a real shame as there seems to be such a great number of opportunities over there. I joined ASMA (there isn't really a UK equivalent) and there seems to be a great support network for people wanting to get into Aviation Medicine.
Will1593
19th Aug 2022, 13:15
Given it's such a niche area looking at research groups might offer some possibilities. This group at King's College London is likely the legacy of AVM John Ernsting who established a group there after his post as the last commandant of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/aerospace-medicine-physiology-research-group
NutLoose
19th Aug 2022, 17:34
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/645x878/image_ba3ddd84705e0d03cc270dd0b6dcf6e87b9c76de.jpeg
langleybaston
19th Aug 2022, 18:36
Norty Nutloose.
My ortho consultant son in law wrote "park rangers hat"
Widely interpreted as "pork rangers hut".
Known in the family as the Pork Ranger.
Apologies in advance. Naughty stair.
beaconfell
21st Aug 2022, 09:40
Given it's such a niche area looking at research groups might offer some possibilities. This group at King College London is likely the legacy of AVM John Ernsting who established a group there after his post as the last commandant of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine.
Thank you. I am aware of the work of KCL and their courses are certainly very highly regarded. I'm going to have a chat with someone from the CAM and I'll discuss the KCL courses (as they work so closely with the CAM).
air pig
21st Aug 2022, 22:08
If you are in London, try Prof Kevin Fong.
https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-consultant/professor-kevin-fong
You could contact Dr David Newman from Flight Medicine Systems. I am sorry but I can't post links yet.
He is ex RAAF.
Even though it is an Australian company Dave is "Visiting Professor of Aerospace Medicine at King’s College London, in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences".
He is very approachable and a nice bloke. I think he could steer you towards some names in UK that may be able to help.
John
RAF_Techie101
22nd Aug 2022, 06:17
Whilst being a DR is very impressive, being a JT definitely carries more gravitas.
beaconfell
22nd Aug 2022, 08:27
If you are in London, try Prof Kevin Fong.
I am big fan. He certainly has a very impressive CV. I can imagine he does get a significant number of cold calls though... Something to think about.
beaconfell
22nd Aug 2022, 08:28
You could contact Dr David Newman from Flight Medicine Systems. I am sorry but I can't post links yet.
He is ex RAAF.
Even though it is an Australian company Dave is "Visiting Professor of Aerospace Medicine at King’s College London, in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences".
He is very approachable and a nice bloke. I think he could steer you towards some names in UK that may be able to help.
John
Thank you kindly for the info. Another potential route for some info.
beaconfell
22nd Aug 2022, 08:54
Whilst being a DR is very impressive, being a JT definitely carries more gravitas.
:D
haha!
Beacon,
I left RAF some time ago as a Seaking A2 QHI - retrained as a Dentist. The Sqn EngO also left at the same time and went down the Medicine route - he rejoined and is still serving as a Med Officer. Not sure if he is on here, but I maybe able to contact him if you want - PM me if needed
Diff Tail Shim
24th Aug 2022, 18:54
Hi All,
New here. My apologies if this isn't the best subfurum for this question...
Any posters here (ex) Medical Officers?
I'm ex RAF groundcrew. I was very fortunate to have a tour on the Reds which included lots of back seat flying. The trip down to the CAM at Henlow sparked off an interest in aviation medicine and changed the course of my life. I was going nowhere in the RAF and couldn't see that changing. I'd tried the commission route, considered NCA, but it wasn't the right path for me and didn't work out. One day I thought 'go big or go home'... so I walked out and, long story short, went from being a JT to Doctor (via many painful, expensive, med school years!). I've been working as a Doctor 2 years now.
I still find the world of aviation fascinating and miss parts of life in the RAF. I'm keen to find some way to direct my career back toward aviation whether that be military or civilian.
I'm just wondering if any you here are current or ex RAF Medics or close to those who are? I'd be very thankful for anyone who'd be willing to give me a bit of a steer in the right direction. It's an incredibly niche field, and my background's a bit unique, so could definitely use an expert opinion.
Many thanks.
Best of luck mate. We all miss the mob in one way or another, it was a completely different mind set of working compared doing the same jobs in civvy street. Good fortune and congratulations on getting the medical degree. My Nephew has just qualified in July and I know the work he put in to do that. Eldest took 5 years of University to get to be a PA that she is employed as in the NHS.