Paramedic jobs overseas are a fantastic way to see more of the world and get paid very well to do it! Particularly in growing Middle Eastern areas like Dubai, paramedic jobs overseas are understaffed and eager for international applicants to overcome the undersupply that the local populous can’t fill.
Obviously, trained paramedics are worth their weight in gold; someone who’s been around the block a few times and is used to the high pressure, hectic lifestyle and long hours of the hard-working paramedic is a valuable employee. New paramedics, however well trained, are an untested quantity.
It’s far easier to retrain an experienced paramedic into local procedures – which aren’t likely to be that different to their previous experience, thanks to the universality of medical best practice – than it is to mould an untested paramedic into a veteran. Not everyone is cut out to be a paramedic; and people only discover this when they actually start the job.
You also need to consider things like the length of your planned trip overseas, any language difficulties you might experience, what your family will do while you’re there, etc. Getting visas organised for international work is generally easier for a paramedic than less skilled jobs, as there is a global shortage of skilled, experienced paramedics.
Expectations of hours worked and the approach to things like flex time, overtime etc can vary tremendously with different cultures and work cultures. Don’t expect for things to be the same as where you are now; make sure you do your homework. Talk to paramedics around the world if you can, check in with your local paramedic’s association and see if they have contacts overseas.
Realise that if you do get an overseas paramedic job, there will be an inevitable period of acclimatisation. Different countries have different responses to multiculturalism. don’t expect to be greeted equally warmly when you arrive by your new co-workers.
As an outsider, you’re basically an unknown quantity, both in terms of your professionalism and also your work ethic. Racist stereotypes may work against you. The best approach is to be open, friendly and professional at all times.
The easiest way to counteract this problem is by building a network of contacts in the countries you’d like to find a job in. Ask them to keep you posted on any openings. A direct line to recruitment firms or HR companies specialising in medical placements is going to be a huge boon.
Governments that manage state or federal recruitment for paramedics often only advertise on their own public servant’s websites, and the information doesn’t come across to commercial job seeking sites. Unlike many public service positions, paramedics are not usually required to be citizens of the hosting nation, which makes international applications much easier.
Landing a job in a foreign country’s health system as a paramedic usually means an expedited entry and visa application process, as the government speed through paperwork for skilled applicants in industries it wants.
Consider also contacting foreign medical workers unions, as they have their finger on the pulse of the job markets. You can often get recommendations from people involved in medical union work that are invaluable in landing that all-important first job.
Obviously, trained paramedics are worth their weight in gold; someone who’s been around the block a few times and is used to the high pressure, hectic lifestyle and long hours of the hard-working paramedic is a valuable employee. New paramedics, however well trained, are an untested quantity.
It’s far easier to retrain an experienced paramedic into local procedures – which aren’t likely to be that different to their previous experience, thanks to the universality of medical best practice – than it is to mould an untested paramedic into a veteran. Not everyone is cut out to be a paramedic; and people only discover this when they actually start the job.
Considering Paramedic Jobs Overseas
If you’re thinking about looking for paramedic jobs overseas, you need to give a good deal of thought to the logistics of your search. Are you happy to take up paramedic work in countries with higher crime rates than you’re used to, for example? Paramedics have differing levels of personal safety concerns depending on where they work; downtown New York is worlds of difference to a rural ambulance posting in the English countryside.You also need to consider things like the length of your planned trip overseas, any language difficulties you might experience, what your family will do while you’re there, etc. Getting visas organised for international work is generally easier for a paramedic than less skilled jobs, as there is a global shortage of skilled, experienced paramedics.
Expectations of hours worked and the approach to things like flex time, overtime etc can vary tremendously with different cultures and work cultures. Don’t expect for things to be the same as where you are now; make sure you do your homework. Talk to paramedics around the world if you can, check in with your local paramedic’s association and see if they have contacts overseas.
Realise that if you do get an overseas paramedic job, there will be an inevitable period of acclimatisation. Different countries have different responses to multiculturalism. don’t expect to be greeted equally warmly when you arrive by your new co-workers.
As an outsider, you’re basically an unknown quantity, both in terms of your professionalism and also your work ethic. Racist stereotypes may work against you. The best approach is to be open, friendly and professional at all times.
Looking For An Overseas Paramedic Job
Many paramedic jobs are only advertised locally, even if the companies or governments involved will accept qualified international applicants. What you need is access to the ads; this can be a challenge, as the health industry tends to recruit locally first and doesn’t advertise online as comprehensively as other industries does.The easiest way to counteract this problem is by building a network of contacts in the countries you’d like to find a job in. Ask them to keep you posted on any openings. A direct line to recruitment firms or HR companies specialising in medical placements is going to be a huge boon.
Governments that manage state or federal recruitment for paramedics often only advertise on their own public servant’s websites, and the information doesn’t come across to commercial job seeking sites. Unlike many public service positions, paramedics are not usually required to be citizens of the hosting nation, which makes international applications much easier.
Landing a job in a foreign country’s health system as a paramedic usually means an expedited entry and visa application process, as the government speed through paperwork for skilled applicants in industries it wants.
Consider also contacting foreign medical workers unions, as they have their finger on the pulse of the job markets. You can often get recommendations from people involved in medical union work that are invaluable in landing that all-important first job.