How to become a Medical Emergency Services Officer (MESO)

Whether you’re already living the fly-in, fly-out life in the mining sector, or looking for a role that could help you break into this lucrative industry, becoming a Medical Emergency Services Officer (MESO), also known as an Emergency Services Officer (ESO) could be a rewarding career pathway.

What is a Medical Emergency Services Officer (ESO)?

A Medical Emergency Services Officer (MESO) or ESO is typically responsible for medical care (and sometimes also fire rescue, security, training and WHS) on large industrial sites, particularly mine sites. They generally sit within the mine safety team.

Most mine sites have on-site medics in the form of ESOs to assist in the medical treatment of both minor and major injuries as well as offer basic life support when needed.

For many people, becoming an ESO is a popular alternative to becoming a paramedic. While the scope of work may be different, both jobs have similar skill sets, and offer an opportunity to make a difference by providing emergency medical care, often in remote locations.
Medical Emergency Services Officers or ESOs can have different titles, such as:

  • Emergency Services Officer
  • Mine Site Medic
  • Industrial Medic
  • Underground Medic
  • Mine Rescue Medic
  • Emergency Response Coordinator

What industries does an Emergency Services Officer work in?

With skills in security, fire, rescue and medical, Emergency Services Officers are valuable employees across a range of industries, including :

  • mining and metalliferous (above and underground)
  • maritime
  • power and energy
  • industrial
  • offshore oil and gas
  • defence
  • aviation
  • construction
  • other resource sectors

Typical job duties of an ESO

The duties of a Medical Emergency Services Officer role will vary depending on the size and location of the site you’re working on, your qualifications and the size of your team/workforce you are responsible for.

Typical duties you may be required to undertake include:

  • Injury management: including paperwork, liaising with patients, physiotherapists, doctors and human resources departments.
  • Undertaking random drug and alcohol testing, an essential component of WHS on a mine site.
  • Providing medical clearances to potential employees and return to work employees.
  • Administering flu vaccinations.
  • Fever temperature checks.
  • Responding to minor or major on-site injuries and providing medical care.
  • Administer basic life support if necessary.
  • Mental health assessments and recommendations.
  • Respond to vehicle accidents.

Emergency Services Officer (ESO) salary

An Emergency Services Officer in the mining industry can earn $80,000-$120,000 per year.

This amount could increase further depending on your level of experience, overtime worked in the year and additional allowances.

What it’s really like to be an Emergency Services Officer (ESO)

Hear from APC student, Nathan, on what life is like on a mining site and get a glimpse into the day-to-day life of an ESO.

How to become an Emergency Services Officer (ESO)

Australian Paramedical College can help you build the foundational knowledge and practical skills you need to become a trusted ESO (or MESO, Medical Emergency Officer).

Generally, you’ll need to hold at least an HLT41120 – Certificate IV in Health Care to become a Medical Emergency Services Officer (ESO).

However, the HLT51020 – Diploma of Emergency Health Care could give you a competitive advantage when applying for ESO jobs. It’s worth noting that some employers may require you to also hold further qualifications, like the Certificate III in Mines Rescue.