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This series highlights unique and diverse career opportunities for healthcare professionals looking to transition away from traditional roles. Each post provides an overview of the job, qualifications required, and potential salary ranges, though these may vary by location and employer and information available on the actual job post. If this job isn’t a good fit for your credentials and background, then please click here to view all Job Spotlights.

Not everyone in healthcare wants to spend their time in a clinic- totally understandable!

Some people crave the stability of working in healthcare, but also dream of something more adventurous.

And boy, did I find something that fulfills both of those wants in one job.

Today’s job spotlight features a truly unique opportunity: a full-time NP role based in the North Slope of Alaska, working on-site at an oil facility with a rotational schedule and a focus on emergency, primary, and occupational care. The position is offered through International SOS, a global leader in remote medicine and crisis response.

Let’s break down what makes this one of the more fascinating non-traditional NP roles out there.

The Role at a Glance

Title: Nurse Practitioner
Company: International SOS
Location: Remote North Slope, Alaska
Schedule: 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off (12-hour shifts)
Setting: Oilfield/industrial worksite
Type: Full-time, rotation-based, remote practice

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be the lead provider on-site, responsible for the health and safety of a rotating workforce involved in oilfield operations. This includes:

• Emergency response for injuries or illness

• Primary care and wellness promotion for workers

• Occupational health duties like audiograms, pulmonary function tests, respirator fit testing, and drug/alcohol screenings

• Health and hygiene inspections

• Leading weekly training for on-site emergency responders

• Coordinating with physicians remotely in Anchorage

• Overseeing medical evacuations if needed

This is a hands-on role with a heavy dose of independence; there’s no one down the hall to ask for a second opinion. If you thrive under pressure and like being the go-to person in a crisis, you’ll love this.

Compensation & Perks

While the exact salary isn’t listed, a quick Indeed search told me that NPs in this role with International SOS typically make approximately $850 per day.

Other perks include:

• Private housing and meals provided on-site

• Travel covered from Anchorage to the job site

• Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401k, pet insurance, EAP)

• 3 weeks off at a time to truly rest, travel, or take on other opportunities

• Comprehensive training and support

Why This Job Is So Unique

This is the opposite of a cookie-cutter NP role. Instead of back-to-back 15-minute visits in a busy clinic, you’re providing meaningful care in a remote, rugged environment where your skills could genuinely save lives.

It’s also one of the rare jobs that offers immense freedom and flexibility:

• Work only half the year, with large blocks of time off

• Step away from micromanagement and hospital bureaucracy

• Immerse yourself in an extraordinary environment most people never get to see

And honestly, how many nurses can say they’ve led emergency drills in the Arctic?

Qualifications You’ll Need

• Current NP license in Alaska (or eligibility to obtain)

• 3–5 years of emergency or remote medicine experience

• BLS and ACLS (ATLS preferred)

• NIOSH and CAOHC certifications are a plus

• Valid driver’s license

• Must pass a federal drug test, background check, and fitness for duty exam

Who This Job Is (and Isn’t) For

This could be your dream job if you are:

• An NP with solid emergency experience

• Comfortable working independently in isolated environments

• Craving a break from traditional healthcare burnout

• Open to adventure and ready to live in extreme conditions

• Physically and emotionally resilient

But it’s probably not for you if:

• You need a daily Starbucks run

• You dislike solitude or extreme weather

• You’re looking for predictable patient volumes or easy days

How I Found This Job

Frequently, when searching for jobs on LinkedIn, I keep the search pretty broad. However, today I was looking for something pretty specific, so this was what I searched on LinkedIn: “nurse practitioner on an oil rig United States”. Sometimes being very specific on LinkedIn works, sometimes it doesn’t. If you’re ever searching for a niche job, don’t be afraid to get oddly specific. I got a lot of job posts that didn’t relate to my search terms today, but I also found exactly what I was looking for.

Not Licensed in Alaska?

Here’s the link to the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing for the application to apply.

Not a Nurse Practitioner…

…But still interested in an adventurous career in healthcare? Check out International SOS’s career page!  I saw positions for Medical Assistants, Drug and Alcohol Technicians, NPs, Nurses, Paramedics, and Physicians, all over the world! 

I’m honestly kind of sad I didn’t know this existed while I was in my 20s, because I would have definitely been applying!

Final Thoughts

Roles like this don’t come up often, and they rarely get shared beyond niche circles. That’s a shame, because for the right Nurse Practitioner, this job is the perfect blend of autonomy, adventure, and purpose.

If you decide to apply, please drop me a comment and let me know. I would love to hear more about your adventures working in Alaska!

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Disclaimer: This blog post is independently written and not affiliated with or endorsed by International SOS. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official job posting.