The medical profession is highly respected and in demand worldwide. Many countries all over the world need doctors, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This presents numerous opportunities for professionals willing to travel internationally.
Even if you live in a country with ample local opportunities, you may still consider traveling abroad for work. Exploring international healthcare career opportunities allows you to travel to new places and explore new cultures while doing what you’re passionate about. In this article, we’ll provide a simple guide to finding international healthcare jobs and how to get started with it.
Reasons To Consider International Career Opportunities In Healthcare
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there’s a global shortage of skilled health professionals, with millions of health workers needed to bridge the gap in many countries. About 100 countries have a skilled health worker density that’s below the required threshold. At least 7.2 million skilled professionals will be required to bridge this gap.
This translates to ample opportunities for anyone open to traveling abroad for work. While there might be many opportunities to find work and provide your services within your own country, the following are some of the reasons why traveling abroad for work might be a good idea.
Passion Project
Low and middle-income countries are the most affected by the healthcare crisis. In Sub-Saharan Africa for instance, over a million workers are needed to bridge the gap in healthcare staff supply. Similarly, Asia needs millions of extra hands to bridge its health workforce gap. Individuals who are passionate about providing support for the poor and vulnerable may consider traveling abroad to these locations to help alleviate their burden.
Earning Opportunities
While some people travel abroad for charity, others do so because of the earning opportunities it presents. This is the case for healthcare professionals who choose to travel to countries with a stronger currency or bigger pay for healthcare professionals compared to their home country. If you’re open to traveling abroad for work, you may consider countries with a strong economy and a high demand for healthcare workers. Such countries tend to offer attractive compensation packages to those who choose to work there.
Access To Advanced Facilities
Traveling abroad for work can also give you access to more advanced and sophisticated healthcare systems. You get to participate in advanced medical procedures, deal with new diseases and use state-of-the-art technology in providing healthcare to patients.
Career Advancement Opportunities
International opportunities give room for career advancement and professional growth. To get hired in many international healthcare facilities, you have to undergo continuing education programs or get certifications in specific fields. This can help improve your skills and knowledge, leading to better job prospects and higher salaries in the future.
Where To Find International Healthcare Jobs
As a medical professional looking to find jobs abroad, knowing where to look is the first step of the process. Some of the places that have helped thousands of people find healthcare jobs abroad include:
- Job boards: several job boards list international healthcare jobs open to foreigners. On these platforms, you can search specifically for doctor jobs and other opportunities and apply conveniently from your home countries. Many job boards even allow you to filter for specific countries and other criteria in order to find jobs that perfectly fit your unique requirements.
- Social media platforms: International healthcare jobs are also often advertised on social media platforms. While it is more difficult to filter for jobs on these platforms, they offer the advantage of being able to connect directly with employers and recruiters, ask questions and get guidance on job opportunities and visa plans.
- Recruiting Agencies: International recruitment agencies can also help you find international healthcare jobs. These agencies have direct links with healthcare facilities in need of professionals and can connect you directly to them, saving you the stress of a long and tedious job search process.
Steps to Getting International Healthcare Jobs
Research the Target Location
Before getting started with international healthcare job applications you should research the specific location you’re targeting. Thorough research will give you an idea of the healthcare landscape in the location, job application requirements, migration pathways and process. It helps if you can connect with a colleague already working in the target country who can guide you through the process.
Verify your Documents and Identity
In many countries such as the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, international workers need to verify their medical license and identities before they can be considered for opportunities. Some countries also require you to write licensing exams even if you have been previously licensed in your home countries. Inquire about the licensing and ID verification process in the target country before you get started.
Create A Suitable Digital CV
The next step is to create a CV for the opportunities you intend to apply for. Most countries have unique CV templates or requirements that may differ considerably from what you’re currently using in your home country. Find out what employers and recruiters in the target country are looking for and tailor your CV to these new standards.
Continuing Education and Training
To migrate to most countries for work, you’ll need to fulfill certain language proficiency requirements or even get additional professional training. Some of these can be completed from your home country while others require you to migrate first. Confirm what these requirements are and register for them to kickstart your journey.
Conclusion
While there are plenty of international healthcare job opportunities, knowing how to get started can be a little challenging. Following the tips above and getting help from agencies, and individuals abroad can help you find suitable career opportunities, and navigate the complexities of the process.
Published by HOLR Magazine.