Working FAQ'sWill I have an orientation when I arrive at the hospital?Nurses are given an orientation (known as the general nursing orientation or GNO) on arrival to the hospital. This usually lasts two to three weeks. The GNO includes a review of the hospital nursing policy and procedures, the hospital standard CPR course and medication administration policies and general information about starting one's life in Saudi. Before being allowed to administer medication, nurses must pass a standard medication calculation test. Each hospital has a slightly different orientation programme. Full details will be given to you on application or when you are offered a job. Do I need to register with Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) ?Yes, all healthcare professionals will need to prepare the paperwork prior to mobilisation and the hospital personnel will assist you to process your registration with SCHS. Since January 2010 it is a requirement from the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia to register with Saudi Commission of Health Professionals prior to issuance of your Iqama (Residence Permit). Requirements to be submitted to Professional Connections prior to departure:
Attested means that the copy has to be authenticated as a copy by a notary public or a solicitor, which is then stamped by Foreign affairs in your home country, then by the Saudi Embassy. Candidates are responsible for all costs associated with SCHS registration. Fees vary dependant on your profession. The fee shall be payable in Saudi Riyals (SR) by bank transfer or credit card. This will be processed on arrival in Saudi Arabia. The first fee is the classification fee. This is to assess your application and place you on the register. Example of classification fees: Nurses SR 600 (160 USD) Registration will be valid for three years. The registration fee is payable once you are accepted. Registration fees: Nurses SR 240 (64 USD) Do I need to wear a uniform?In keeping with Islamic traditions (men and women) nurses wear uniforms that cover their shoulders and legs to the ankle. For female employees this will be a loose fitting trousers suit where the top comes down to mid thigh length and sleeves reach the elbow. The hospital will provide your uniform; socks and shoes are not included. You will need to bring white shoes or clogs as well as white socks. During the initial orientation while awaiting your uniform, you are not permitted to wear jeans. You should have a "professional wardrobe". What is the working language?The everyday working language of the hospitals is English. All documentation and communications between healthcare professionals are in English. The language of all hospitals that recruit foreign staff is both Arabic and English, all medical staff and medical records are kept in English. Some of the medical staff will speak Arabic among each other except during official doctor's rounds when they speak English. Patients will normally speak only Arabic, but interpreters are available to translate for you. There are a number of Arabic speaking nurses working in Saudi Arabia who are usually more than helpful to new non-Arabic speaking nurses. Hospitals offer Arabic language classes and it is recommended you take advantage of this. How will I keep my professional skills up to date?It is possible to continue your education in all hospitals. Our client hospitals offer Education Programmes in cooperation with universities abroad. You can also use the library to access nursing journals or information on the internet. Most wards have an in-service education programme; nursing educators are available and offer further education for both trained staff and nursing students. Last updated: 17.12.2011  |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
