Career Advice Detail Asean

Health Care

1.    Overview

Singapore has an integrated healthcare system comprising of public and private healthcare. Singapore’s healthcare model is recognised as one of the better-performing healthcare systems in the world. In 2006, the World Health Organisation ranked Singapore as the top overall healthcare system in Asia for excellent outcomes while maintaining affordability. The healthcare industry is set to witness continued growth in the short to medium term due to the need to cater to an ageing population, rising affluence and medical tourism. In this context, the country is supporting physical infrastructure expansion with additional trained manpower. Strong demand is expected for all healthcare professionals and support staff – Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Assistants and Therapist Aides.

Source: Labour Market Highlights, 2011/ 2012, Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Workforce Development Agency

2.    Career opportunities

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has drawn up a list of skills in demand for Finance job as follow which is in consultant with the respective industries and relevant government agencies.

• Clinical Audiologist
• Dietician
• Doctor
• Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• Medical/Laboratory Technologist
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Radiation Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Speech Therapist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Medical Social Worker
• Dentist
• Dental Hygiene Therapist
• Pharmacy Technician

Source: http://www.mom.gov.sg/skills-training-and-development/skills-in-demand/Pages/skills-in-demand.aspx#healthcare
Labour Market Highlights, 2011/ 2012, Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Workforce Development Agency

 Following are examples of some main roles in the healthcare industry of Singapore and their wage range:

Job title		Job description	Wage range
Executive jobs
Registered Nurse		-          Plan, provide and evaluate preventive, curative and rehabilitative care for patients. -          Supervise enrolled nurses and healthcare assistants.	$1,900 - $4,400
Occupational Therapist		-          Help people with physical disabilities, mental or social problems develop their capacity to perform day to day tasks. -          Design therapy programmes to promote independent living and re-integration into home, work and society	$2,500 - $3,500
Physiotherapist		-          Help patients ranging from sportspersons to the elderly relieve pain, regain mobility and improve muscle strength.	$2,300 - $3,600
Diagnostic Radiographer		-          Responsible for interpreting the images and diagnosing illnesses and injuries.	$2,900 - $4,300
Medical Social Worker		-          Help patients and their families tide through personal, social, emotional and financial problems arising from illness.	$2,400 - $3,200
Non executive jobs
Assistant Nurse	-          Assist Registered Nurses to plan and provide for the holistic care of patients.		$1,600 - $3,100
Healthcare Assistant	-          Assist nurses in providing basic care to patients, including monitoring temperatures and pulse rates, assisting patients in bed/ bath and serving food to patients.		$800 - $1,700
Therapy Assistant	-          Assist therapists in clinical duties such as setting up/ supervising/ assisting patients in the performance of therapeutic exercises and arranging portering for patients. -          Assist therapist in administrative and technical duties such as preparing patient records, performing basic data entry and maintaining therapeutic equipment and devices.		$800 - $1,700

3.    Top employers

Following are some of the most famous hospitals in Singapore:

• National University Hospital – Website: http://www.nuh.com.sg/
• SingHealth – Website: http://www.singhealth.com.sg/Pages/home.aspx
• Singapore General Hospital – Website: http://www.sgh.com.sg/Pages/default.aspx
• Khoo Teck Puat Hospital – Website: https://www.ktph.com.sg/main/pages

4.    Advice

Below are some minimum requirements for several healthcare position in Singapore

Doctors

To work as a doctor in Singapore, you will need to meet the following minimum requirements:

•    American specialty Board Certificate
•    or, UK Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (C.C.S.T)
•    or, Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register or western qualifications

Plus a minimum of five years (post board/certificate) experience at consultant level for consultant roles is required.

Nurses

To be placed in Singapore as a nurse, you need to be a qualified nurse who has been registered and working for a minimum of two years.
As a registered nurse, it is essential that you maintain your existing registration in your country of origin. You will be required to show this original documentation.
You will also be required to have:

•    Bachelor Degree in Nursing or equivalent
•    Two years post graduate experience
-    Allied Health Professionals

To be placed in Singapore, you will need to meet the following minimum requirements for the specialities we are currently recruiting for:

•    BSc degree in a speciality from an accredited college with no less than three years syllabus. No less than two years experience in an acute care setting.
•    Or, Graduate from an accredited program no less than two years syllabus and registered with the American Registry of the appropriate speciality, The Canadian Association, UK HPC or equivalent. No less than four years experience in an acute care setting.

Source: http://www.medacs.com/singapore-healthcare-jobs/

The following article provides helpful advice on the career path of main health care professions:
http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/searching-for-jobs/job-advice-by-industry/what-are-the-common-healthcare-career-paths/article.aspx