Ship's medical positions | Nurse (German Speakers level A+ required)

Nurse – Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is seeking qualified nurses to join the medical teams aboard the expedition vessels HANSEATIC Spirit, HANSEATIC Inspiration and HANSEATIC Nature , as well as the luxury vessels EUROPA and EUROPA 2 .

The position supports the ship’s doctor in providing medical care to guests and crew members. As the onboard medical team normally consists of only one doctor and one nurse, we are looking for independent, highly organized and resilient professionals with strong emergency‑care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical and administrative support during consultation hours.


• Admit and register guests and crew members requiring medical attention.


• Assist the ship’s doctor with examinations, treatments and medical emergencies.


• Assist with laboratory tests, ECGs, X-rays, wound care, dressing changes and immobilization procedures.


• Respond to life‑threatening emergencies and “Mike Mike” calls.


• Maintain patient records, consent forms, medical reports and billing documentation.


• Manage the onboard pharmacy, medications and medical consumables.


• Monitor stock levels and expiration dates following the first‑in, first‑out principle.


• Order medications, medical supplies and stationery in consultation with the ship’s doctor.


• Sterilize instruments and clean and disinfect the immediate clinical working environment.


• Inspect medical devices, oxygen cylinders, first‑aid kits and eyewash bottles.


• Assist with medical disembarkations, shoreside referrals and medical evacuations.


• Record accidents in cooperation with the ship’s doctor.


• Maintain the vaccination database and administer vaccinations under the doctor’s instructions.


• Participate in safety drills, medical training, hygiene inspections and audits.


• Support drinking‑water testing, Legionella prevention, infection‑control procedures and pest‑management activities.


• Participate in scheduled on‑call and standby duties.


• Provide a documented handover and familiarization process for the incoming nurse at the end of each rotation.

Requirements

• Completed professional nursing qualification or university degree in nursing.


• Proven experience in an Emergency Department, Emergency Medicine or Critical Care .


• German proficiency at a minimum operational level of B2 .


• Good to fluent English for communication with the international crew.


• An official German-language certificate must be attached to the CV. At least an A1 certificate is required to begin the recruitment process; however, the practical language requirement for the position is B2 or higher.


• Valid passport.


• Valid Seaman’s Book.


• Valid STCW certificates and all other documents required for shipboard employment.


• Availability to work onboard for a minimum of three months.


• Ability to work independently, remain calm under pressure and respond effectively during medical emergencies.

Employment Conditions

• First-year salary: €3,667 per month.


• Salary is paid only during the months worked onboard.


• Rotation: minimum three months onboard followed by approximately three months off.


• Initial vacancies available from November.


• Single cabin.


• Access to the Officers’ Mess.


• Access to the passenger gym.


• Limited access to selected passenger areas and the passenger buffet, subject to Head of Department approval, duty requirements or while accompanying guests.

Important: As the guests are primarily German-speaking, only candidates with confident and practical German-language skills will be considered. English is also mandatory because the onboard crew is international.