Who We're Looking For

There's no single path to becoming a BMG instructor. Some of our best people spent years in emergency medicine before they ever led a backcountry trip. Others were guiding expeditions long before they got serious about their clinical training. What they share isn't a resume format — it's real experience across three areas.

• Clinical experience. An active WFR, WEMT, EMT, Paramedic, or higher credential, backed by actual patient care. We're talking field assessments, real treatment decisions, the kind of volume that builds judgment you simply can't get from coursework.

• Teaching and group leadership. You've stood in front of groups and run the show — in a classroom, on a trail, in a clinical setting, on the water. You know how to read a room, adjust on the fly, and keep a group moving when things get complicated.

• Time in the backcountry. You're genuinely comfortable out there. That could mean professional guiding, ski patrol, SAR, or just years of serious personal time in the mountains. We care less about the credential and more about the comfort level. Our courses happen outside, often in real weather and real terrain, and students notice immediately if their instructor isn't at home in that environment.

We want to see real experience across all three. If two are strong and one is early, that conversation is worth having. If you're just getting started in one of these areas, this role probably isn't the right fit yet.

What Our Instructors Actually Look Like

We don't hire a type. Here are a few examples of the kinds of backgrounds that have worked really well at BMG:

• An ED nurse who spends free weekend in the mountains and has spent three years teaching ACLS and trauma response.

• A paramedic who guides sea kayak expeditions each summer and has taught wilderness medicine courses through another organization.

• A PA with a ski patrol background, a few seasons teaching backcountry skiing for an outdoor club, and a lot of time in serious terrain.

• A WFR-certified wilderness guide with multiple years leading multi-week expeditions, a background in outdoor education, and real patient volume built through guiding and SAR work.

• A flight nurse who doesn't guide professionally but has mountaineered extensively, completed instructor training, and has spent years teaching in formal settings.

The common thread isn't a specific credential or a job title. It's people who've put in real time across medicine, teaching, the outdoors, and who are genuinely excited to do all three at once.

Current Opportunities

Backcountry Medical Guides accepts rolling applications and is looking for instructors across all disciplines. Courses primarily take place in Washington and California. We're looking for instructors who live in or frequently travel to these states (opportunities outside these areas may be limited).

Why You'll Love Teaching with BMG

The Work is Incredible
You're not teaching in a classroom. You're teaching hands-on courses in outdoor settings—mountains, trails, coastlines. You'll blend experiential education with real world experience, helping students build critical thinking skills and real confidence for high-stakes situations.

The People Are Amazing
You'll work alongside instructors who are ER docs, flight nurses, PAs, paramedics, EMTs, guides, athletes, and adventurers. Folks who work hard and play hard; skiing big lines, running ultras, paddling remote coastlines, you get the picture. Everyone at BMG is excited about this work, and we want you to be too.

You'll Actually Make an Impact
Our students leave prepared to handle emergencies in the backcountry. You're not just teaching protocols—you're giving people the skills and confidence to save lives when it counts most.

We Support You
Instructors receive online and in-person training so you're confident in BMG's approach to education, leadership, and—yes—having a great time doing it.

You're Part of Something Bigger
We're not just running courses—we're key players in our local communities with committed partnerships we genuinely love working with. From outdoor organizations to search and rescue teams to community groups, we're building a network that strengthens backcountry safety everywhere we operate.

What We Teach

We offer contract-based instructor positions for single-day, multi-day, and weeklong courses primarily in Washington and California (and sometimes elsewhere), ranging from public courses to private and sponsored trainings.

Sport-specific medicine that matters: 

• Wilderness Medicine

• Mountain Bike Medicine

• Maritime Medicine

• Ski & Snowboard Medicine

• Trail Running Medicine

Questions?

We hire on a rolling basis, so there's no deadline pressure. That said, we are selective and we review every application carefully. If you're not sure whether your background is a fit, just reach out before applying. We're happy to have that conversation.

employment@backcountrymedicalguides.org