Anyone know how to become the SKI mountain doctor?

[ekimsurfer]

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You know, the guy that if someone on the mountain gets hurt... they ski patrol bring him to the base of the mountain and see the doctor. Is that dude an ER guy? How much do you think they make and what type of hours?

 

[Doczilla]

Most of the time these folks are EMT or paramedic trained. There are EM physicians that do it, and at least one residency where I interviewed said that their residents moonlight as ski patrol docs. Don't know about pay and hours.


'zilla

 

[Jeff698]

Most of the time these folks are EMT or paramedic trained. There are EM physicians that do it, and at least one residency where I interviewed said that their residents moonlight as ski patrol docs. Don't know about pay and hours.


'zilla

I suspect their pays involve, in large part, free lift tickets, meals and a pretty small check. Just guessing, of course.

I'd be willing to bet it'd be perfect for the 'pods, though. Much of the injuries are likely well-insured ortho cases. They'd get to play on the mountain for free and get nice cush paying patients who are motivated to recover (ie do what their doctor tells them).

But then what do I know...I'm a Texan and not exactly known for our great skiing.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[Hornet871]

'zilla wrote:

Most of the time these folks are EMT or paramedic trained. There are EM physicians that do it, and at least one residency where I interviewed said that their residents moonlight as ski patrol docs. Don't know about pay and hours.


'zilla
__________________
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Some airways are more problematic than others.


Especially US Airways.

 

[deleted6669]

in oregon and washington they let any interested doc do it. only compensation is free lift tickets for whole family

 

[ekimsurfer]

in oregon and washington they let any interested doc do it. only compensation is free lift tickets for whole family

you mean regardless of what they were trained in? gp, er, surgery ,etc?

 

[ERMudPhud]

A number of the Colorado resorts have fee for service clinics at the base which are not even part of the resort. At some you can even choose which clinic you want to go to. Most are staffed by EM, FP, or ortho docs.

The ski patrols often have a doc as medical director, like being medical director for an ambulance service. They don't see patients and generally only get free tickets and a chance to ski with the patrol.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I was offered a position on a volunteer ski patrol while skiing two weeks ago 40 miles North of the Mexican border. Arizona's an odd place. The actual ski doc jobs are a bit harder to come by but I knew a few docs who did it part time while I was in school in Utah. Most are EM trained. The big resorts will pay you in addition to the free lift tickets.

 

[deleted6669]

you mean regardless of what they were trained in? gp, er, surgery ,etc?

yup-they have a few derm guys up there now-scary

 

[M00se]

Hey, I am trying to do an out rotation in Oregon. Anyone know someone that will let a PGY1 hang around for a month?

 

[sparky5]

The ones I looked at in the Tahoe area want a Ski Patrol level skier/boarder/freeheeler who is a MD in EM/FM/IM. They trade time for tickets. Do a weeb search for MD ski patrol and you will find info.

 

[elio]

I worked for a mountain ambulance service before med school. We had medical oversight through the local hospital, and also had a satellite clinic which was staffed by the same private group, and used the service to funnel patients into the local hospital as necessary or arranged transport to a Level One facility. I like your idea, but the involvement with patrol and the mountain is probably as a contractual one, and as folks are saying, lift tickets and such are probably a gesture of goodwill, although I've only seen it one place.
Ski more, work less? Maybe after the next three years...... see you out there...

 

[jonb12997]

While working at Whiteface Mountain (anyone watch the freestyle skiing on NBC yesterday, yep that was whiteface)... we had a couple docs (EM/FP/Ortho) who came to ski and took a patrol radio with them and came down if there was anything big (code, multiple trauma with helicopter, etc.) but mostly it was the patrollers, two medics, and myself (basic) handling most everything. I think they gave the docs ski passes if they kept a radio with them while they skiied.

 

[lattimer13]

I was offered a position on a volunteer ski patrol while skiing two weeks ago 40 miles North of the Mexican border. Arizona's an odd place. The actual ski doc jobs are a bit harder to come by but I knew a few docs who did it part time while I was in school in Utah. Most are EM trained. The big resorts will pay you in addition to the free lift tickets.

what ski resort in Arizona is only 40 miles north of the border?