Overview
Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Backcountry Medical Guides (BMG) is seeking experienced, motivated Wilderness Medicine Instructors to teach hands-on, scenario-based medical courses in outdoor and remote environments.
We’re looking for instructors who are confident clinicians, clear communicators, and comfortable leading groups in dynamic settings. Our courses emphasize practical decision-making, teamwork, and real-world application over lecture-heavy instruction.
Location:
BMG primarily operates in Washington and California, with frequent courses in the Seattle, Bellingham, and Bay Area regions. We prioritize hiring instructors who live in these areas, as most courses do not include funded long-distance travel. Applicants must be based in Washington or California to be considered for most teaching opportunities. Instructors based elsewhere should expect to self-fund travel unless a specific arrangement is made in advance.
What You’ll Do
Teach experiential wilderness medicine courses (1–5 days).
Lead hands-on skill stations and realistic medical scenarios.
Support student learning through clear instruction, coaching and debriefing.
Work collaboratively with co-instructors and admin staff.
Qualifications:
Demonstrated ability to provide independent patient care in field, prehospital, or austere environments at or above an EMT level.
Hands-on experience conducting patient assessments, identifying life threats, making evacuation decisions, and providing emergency care in resource-limited settings.
Relevant clinical background may include (but is not limited to): EMT, Paramedic, RN, PA, NP, MD, or DO, evaluated in context of field experience and role.
At least one year of experience working in wilde
Required Skills:
What We’re Looking For
You are a practicing clinician who enjoys teaching and mentoring others.
You are comfortable leading hands-on skills, facilitating scenarios, and managing group dynamics.
You value clarity, humility, and good judgment over ego or storytelling.
You can adapt to different learning styles while staying aligned with a structured curriculum.
You are calm under pressure and model thoughtful, professional care.
You live in Washington or California.
Preferred Skills:
Preferred
Outdoor guiding, trip leading, or expedition experience.
Comfort leading hands-on, scenario-based learning and teaching within scope in remote or resource-limited environments
Sport- or environment-specific experience relevant to BMG courses (e.g., maritime, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, trail running)
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness EMT (WEMT) certification
Reliable transportation to course locations in Western Washington and Northern/Central California
About Backcountry Medical Guides
At Backcountry Medical Guides (BMG), we don’t just teach wilderness medicine—we bring it to life. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we specialize in remote wilderness, maritime, and emergency medicine, offering sport-specific, hands-on training that prepares students for real-world emergencies in the backcountry.
Our mission is to empower people to adventure well. Whether deep in the mountains, on the water, or off the beaten path, we believe that exploration should be backed by preparation, self-sufficiency, and the skills to respond when it matters most.
