Use your skills as a doctor, nurse or paramedic to support young people on Expedition and gain international experience.
FIND OUT ABOUT THE VENTURER MANAGER SPECIAL £200 OFFER
Price change
All VM positions
£200
About the Expedition Medic role
This role is for a qualified doctor, nurse or paramedic seeking international experience. The role is perfect for someone who wants to learn about incident management and medical support in remote environments.
You need to be an authoritative yet calm leader with good communication skills, able to deliver their medical experience via phone. You will need to be able to stay calm during a potentially stressful situation and support others to stay calm also.
You will be responsible for completing incident reports after delivering first aid advice and following up on reporting procedures, ensuring volunteer safety is at the top of the agenda. You will form part of a strong, friendly, welcoming Fieldbase staff team working together to ensure Expedition’s smooth and safe running. In addition, you will be able to go out to project sites on project support visits regularly.
*Costa Rica only
“I’ve done various courses so it’s nice to put some of that into practice. This gives me my first experience of working in these kinds of environments and I plan to take that and go on to do more Expedition-type medicine in the future.”
Addison | Raleigh Expedition Medic
Responsibilities
- Remotely support volunteer teams whilst based in Raleigh’s exciting central Fieldbase in Costa Rica or South Africa.
- Support and advise staff team on medical emergencies or incidents on project sites.
- Deliver basic first aid training to Venturers and Venturer Managers
- Deliver medical one-to-one support to volunteers and manage volunteer support plans
- Prepare medical kits and manage volunteer medication as necessary
- Be the key point of contact for documenting medical reports, transcribing for and supporting Venturer Managers
Benefits of being a Expedition Medic with Raleigh International
- Develop your clinical and remote medical skills whilst also gaining behind-the-scenes insights into Raleigh’s operations.
- Develop your telemedicine and remote leadership skills as you look after the general health of all volunteers and play a key role during any medical emergencies
- Gain on site experience with project support visits
- Gain Expedition medicine experience through supporting medical cases in rural locations and supporting with medical and casualty evacuations.
Essential skills and qualifications
- Age of 25+
- You must be a qualified doctor, paramedic or nurse to be eligible for this role. (Previous experience in tropical or remote medicine is not required.)
- Leadership
- Strong sensitivity to the needs of others
- Ability to work autonomously
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Medical indemnity insurance – please contact your indemnity provider
”“I’ve had a life changing experience on two Expeditions, joining after working as an NHS nurse. I’ve had so many skills developed and new skills learnt. I’ve experienced brilliant teamwork and the challenges of healthcare for Expedition personnel. All the while helping local communities whilst having an adventure too”
Anne-MarieRaleigh Expedition Medic
Projects in Costa Rica
You can get involved in up to 3 phases: Community, Environmental and an Adventure Trek. You’ll also spend time at Fieldbase for your induction, ‘changeover’ between phases and to say your goodbyes at the end.
Community Phase
Sustainable development goals:
1 – end to poverty. 3 – access to education. 8 – economic growth. 9 – infrastructure. 11 – sustainable communities
Why are we there? To improve access to education in indigenous communities
Costa Rica has 24 indigenous territories inhabited by eight different peoples. These regions face significant educational and infrastructural challenges, making volunteer involvement crucial. Raleigh Costa Rica partners with a number of the indigenous communities where Venturers contribute to improved access to education, infrastructure development, and public services, while fostering long-lasting connections with these communities.
For example: The Alto and Bajo Chirripó Indigenous Territory is one of the most remote areas in Costa Rica. There are low levels of school attendance, high levels of illiteracy, and high levels of poverty. One of the key barriers to culturally appropriate development is a lack of education due to poor facilities and difficult access. Venturers work on building school buildings and raising awareness activities with the community on topics like waste management and climate action.
Environmental phase
Sustainable development goals
12 – responsible consumption and production. 13 – climate action. 14 – life below water. 15 – life on land
Why are we there? Costa Rica boasts an impressive 5% of global biodiversity but has areas which are biologically vulnerable.
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a true natural treasure. The border area with Panama is facing challenges such as deforestation and habitat loss. These issues intensify the impacts of climate change, leaving indigenous communities who depend on these lands.
What you’ll experience:
- Implement eco-friendly practices to promote sustainability and build environmental awareness.
- Engage with the community to learn about their traditions and approaches to sustainability.
- Acquire essential survival skills such as shelter-building, creating a camp kitchen and locating water sources.
- Attend speeches led by an experienced biologist
- Participate in trail design and clean-up efforts
- Building bird feeder stations
- Hawkwatching – identification and data gathering
- Food garden and nursery planting
Adventure Challenge
You’ll trek approximately 260 km through varying landscapes – rainforest, mountainous and rural community areas.
Trek takes you on a journey of personal growth that will continue for the rest of your life. No matter what trekking experience you have, everyone starts and finishes trek together – come rain or shine!
Supporting one another, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.
Costa Rica – Pura Vida trek route
This route is one currently being done by Venturers in Costa Rica. When your time comes, we may be using a different route but it will be similar in length and terrain. Specific trek details will be given out nearer to the time of your departure.
Day 1: Alto Quetzal- Dorbata School
Distance: 9.89 miles
Elevation gain: 1093ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 2: Dorbata – Bajo Pacuare Campamento la Hondura
Distance: 4.61 miles
Elevation gain: 636ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 3: Bajo Pacuare – Finca Vialey Pacayitas
Distance: 6.59 miles
Elevation gain: 2149ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 4: Pacayitas – Atirro
Distance: 11.06 miles
Elevation gain: 2231ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 5: Atirro – El Copal
Distance: 11.23 miles
Elevation gain: 1926ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 6: El Copal/Selva – Hacienda Tapantí (rest here on day 7)
Distance: 7.06 miles
Elevation gain: 28231ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 8: Hacienda Tapanti – Muñeco de Navarro Casa Tanin
Distance: 12.31 miles
Elevation gain: 2215ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 9: Muñecode navarro – Estrella church
Distance: 7.35 miles
Elevation gain: 3179ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 10: La Estrella – Cedral / la Lucha
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 3875ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 11: Muñeco de Navarro – Tanin House/La Estrella church
Distance: 5.74 miles
Elevation gain: 2113ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 12: Cedral /La Lucha – Quercus
Distance: 11.87 miles
Elevation gain: 1070f
Terrain: moderate
Day 13: Quercus – San Francisco’s community Center
Distance: 8.34 miles
Elevation gain: 1529ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 14: San Francisco – Alto Aguacate
Distance: 8.88 miles
Elevation gain: 948ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 15: Alto el Aguacate -San Juan Community Center (Vegas)
Distance: 12.88 miles
Elevation gain: 1916ft
Terrain: moderate
Day 16: San Juan – Playa Palo Seco airport
Distance: 11.87 miles
Elevation: 56ft
Terrain difficulty: moderate
Day 17: Travel back to Fieldbase
Fieldbase
Induction
At the start of your Expedition you’ll arrive at Fieldbase and have time for training – including safety briefings, codes of conduct and plenty of teambuilding activities to get to know each other.
Changeover
During each phase you’ll return to Fieldbase to ‘changeover’ groups, wash and sort out your kit, learn about your next project and pack up again for the next phase.
Endex
This is when you’ll get the chance to reflect on all your experiences, receive some final feedback from our Venturer Managers and other staff members which should help you continue your personal development and time to say your goodbyes (or plan your next adventures together).
Example itinerary for Costa Rica
Everyone’s Raleigh Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay and what time of year you go. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition to Costa Rica. For a information on camp life and project info, download a sample itinerary.
Arrive at San José airport
You will be met by the country team
Induction and training (4-7 days)
Get to know your fellow Venturers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.
Community Project (18-19 days)
Venturers work together on community projects agreed with partners and community leaders. Your accommodation will mostly likely be a school or community building and use the facilities attached to it (bathrooms, showers, kitchen).
Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to Fieldbase for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. Project groups will change between each phase, this is an important part of the Expedition experience.
Adventure Trek (18 – 19 days)
On this trek, every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation. Go from camping in mountainous areas and sleeping under the stars to bunking in a community centre.
Environmental Phase (18 – 19 days)
Venturers will support the maintenance and conservation of existing ecosystems and assist local communities to preserve such a biodiverse nature.
Final review at base (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at Fieldbase. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
What you'll be doing in South Africa
You can get involved in up to 3 phases: Community, Environmental and an Adventure Challenge. You’ll also spend time at Fieldbase for your induction, ‘changeover’ between phases and to say your goodbyes at the end.
Community Phase
This community-led project is focused around finding sustainable solutions to issues such as poverty, low levels of education, food insecurity, and unemployment.
You will work on these solutions from the ground up, partnered with the community and a local NGO, Nourish Eco Village. Each day you will work in and around the community village, working as a team on projects such as building sustainable food gardens, playgrounds and essential infrastructure.
You will get the chance to interact with local community members and children, gain an appreciation for the local culture and learn some of the Xitsonga language (one of the 12 official languages of South Africa).
Environmental Phase
This phase will significantly contribute to the restoration of a thriving habitat within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve.
You will be involved in invasive plant removal, combating soil erosion and bush encroachment, conducting snare sweeps, litter picks and road clearing. All of this will help accelerate the restoration of the wilderness.
The work will be physical, dirty, and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.
Adventure Challenge
Supported by our local experienced trek facilitators and Raleigh leaders, your trek will take you through incredible landscapes and biomes, with stunning routes across the mountains that tourists don’t get access to.
You could be trekking up to 200 km through the Northern Mpumalanga Drakensburg of South Africa that will take you on a journey of personal growth that will continue for the rest of your life. No matter what trekking experience you have, everyone starts and finishes trek together – come rain or shine!
Supporting one another, not giving up and sharing your achievements together will be some of the most memorable and defining moments of your Expedition.
Fieldbase
Induction
At the start of your Expedition you’ll arrive at Fieldbase and have time for training – including safety briefings, codes of conduct and plenty of teambuilding activities to get to know each other.
Changeover
During each phase you’ll return to Fieldbase to ‘changeover’ groups, wash and sort out your kit, learn about your next project and pack up again for the next phase.
Endex
This is when you’ll get the chance to reflect on all your experiences, receive some final feedback from our Venturer Managers and other staff members which should help you continue your personal development and time to say your goodbyes (or plan your next adventures together).
Example itinerary for South Africa
Everyone’s Raleigh Expedition is slightly different – depending on how long you stay and what time of year you go. This is an outline of what you can expect from a 10-week Expedition to South Africa. For a information on camp life and project info, download a sample itinerary.
Arrive at Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
You will be met by the country team
Induction and training (3-4 days)
Get to know your fellow volunteers and prepare for Expedition life. You’ll receive essential training on topics such as health and safety and cultural awareness.
Community Project (19- 21 days)
Each day you will work in and around the community village, working as a team on projects such as building sustainable food gardens and playgrounds.
Debrief at Fieldbase (2-3 days)
At the end of each phase, everyone returns to the training centre for a few days before moving on to your next project. You’ll catch up with the rest of the Expedition team and start to prepare for your next project. This is when project groups will change between phases, if possible, as this is an important part of the Expedition experience.
Adventure Leadership Project (19 – 21 days)
For this leg of your adventure, you will head to the Drakensberg mountains. Every day is different, including the weather and the accommodation. Go from camping on top of a mountain, sleeping out under the stars to swimming in beautiful waterfalls.
Environmental Project (19 – 21 days)
Take part in physical conservation work in the reserve. The work will be physical, dirty and fun, making a difference to the health of the habitat.
Final review at base (2 days)
All Expeditions end with everyone coming together for a final few days back at the training centre. Catch up with friends and celebrate all you have achieved together.
Departure from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
Training and support
We have a dedicated team to support you with information and training before and during your Expedition.
Whilst some specific experience is required for particular roles, you don’t need specialist skills or knowledge of our projects. We will give you thorough online training beforehand and during your induction when you arrive in your Expedition country.
We will also send you everything you need to know and prepare in advance and share how you can support the personal development of young people on of your Expedition.
“It’s given me a lot more confidence about what to do next, just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you haven’t got those skills and experience.”
Kathy | Venturer Manager
Venturer Manager Dates & Costs
All our Venturer Manager roles require a £400 contribution toward your food, accommodation for the 13 week Expedition. We encourage further fundraising to contribute toward the cost of your place.
Find out more about our Venturer Manager pricing and fundraising.
2025
FULLY BOOKED
CYCLE 1
FEB - APR
26th January – 19th April 2025
£400$400$400$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 9th Dec 2024
Apply now
CYCLE 2
JUN - AUG
11th June – 3rd September 2025
£400$500$500$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 23rd Apr 2025
Apply now
CYCLE 3
OCT - DEC
26th September – 18th December 2025
£400$500$500$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 8th Aug2025
Apply now
2026
CYCLE 1
FEB - APR
26th January – 19th April 2026
£400$500$500$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 9th Dec 2026
Apply now
CYCLE 2
JUN - AUG
13th June – 5th September 2026
£400$500$500$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 24th April 2026
Apply now
CYCLE 3
OCT - DEC
28th September – 20th December 2026
£400$500$500$400
(and a suggested £400-£600 fundraising contribution)
Application deadline: 10th August 2026
Apply now
What’s included
- Airport welcome and transfers
- All food, transport and accommodation on Expedition
- 24-hour support from Expedition country & UK office
- Safety expertise
- Extensive pre-departure information and support
- Local orientation, project training & equipment
- Raleigh t-shirt
Not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Personal kit
- Travel insurance
- First aid training (Venturer Managers)
A full breakdown of what’s included and not will be provided on application.
How to apply
We advise Venturer Managers to apply well in advance of Expedition to give you the best chance of getting your first choice of role and country.
Apply online
Complete the online form and upload a copy of your CV / résumé. Please tell us as much as you can about yourself, including relevant skills and experience. Don’t worry if you don’t know which role is right for you – just put ‘undecided’.
Assessment Event
If your application form is approved, you will be invited to attend an assessment event. This also gives you the opportunity to hear more about Raleigh Expedition. If successful, you will then be offered a place on one of our Expeditions.
Confirmation
To confirm your place on Expedition, we will ask you for a deposit of £200$200$200$ when you receive our offer letter. This will be deducted from your total.
Pre-departure
Prepare for your expedition! Our team will support you and send you everything you need for your Expedition. You will then be invited to your Venturer Manager Training event.
Expedition Medic FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Expedition Medic roles.
Is this role fieldbased?
Yes. You will spend most of your time on Expedition at Fieldbase. However, you will get the opportunity to go out on project site visits, where you will become familiar with the Venturers.
You will also remain on-site or visit the Trek to support medical incidents.
Do I need medical experience to become an Expedition Medic with Raleigh International?
Yes, our Expedition Medics are required to be a trained doctor, paramedic or nurse to provide the level of medical care we need during our Expeditions. Experience with tropical medicine is not a requirement.
What support will I have?
You will have access to 24/7 remote medical support as well as physical support from our Expedition Manager and medical provider in Costa Rica.
We will also provide a Volunteer Manager Health Handbook and a Duty Manager Health Handbook.
What will the role of Expedition Medic entail?
As Expedition Medic you will remotely manage medical issues from our Fieldbase in Costa Rica.
You will help deliver basic first aid and incident management training to our Venturer Managers and Venturers and will provide one-on-one medical support, prepare and replenish medical kits for project sites and create medical reports.
What growth opportunities will be available to me as an Expedition Medic?
You’ll be working in a fast-paced environment, dealing with a range of medical issues both in person and remotely and in turn, develop your problem-solving skills and ability to provide first aid remotely. This role will challenge your medical expertise in a new environment and you will build lasting connections with people from all walks of life.
What are the hours like for an Expedition Medic?
As a general rule, our Venturers Managers will not work a typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. Certain days will require a later finish time, like changeover, when Venturers come back to Fieldbase for a review before moving on to their next project phase. During this time, many Venturers will have small medical questions and you will be busy restocking medical kits before the next project.
Your free time will be allocated by our in-country staff at Fieldbase.
All Venturer Manager Roles
If you are age 25-75, we welcome you to apply to join Raleigh Expedition as part of the Venturer Manager Team in one of five roles.
Project Coordinator
Your role will be to facilitate a group of young people aged 17-24 out on the project sites. You will be supporting the team to deliver Raleigh International’s project aims as well as monitoring and coaching the young people to help with their personal development.
Content Creator
Behind every project, every volunteer and every community member Raleigh supports, there is a story to be told. As the Content Creator, you will find these stories and work side-by-side with young people to generate exciting, engaging and high-quality content for Raleigh’s communications channels.
Photographer
Your primary role will be to identify and document powerful stories through photography and film. You will work alongside the volunteer content creator officer to gather visual content for our communications channels.
Health & Wellbeing Coordinator
You will support young people with their mental health and wellbeing throughout their Expedition ensuring they feel safe and secure in an environment outside of their comfort zone as a Health and Wellbeing Coordinator.
Expedition Medic
Use your skills as a doctor, nurse or paramedic while supporting young people on life-changing Expeditions. Develop your medical and leaderships skills whilst working in remote locations, supporting young people’s development and creating change where it is needed most.
*Costa Rica only
