Working in healthcare is one of those professions that’s always in demand. When you look at the “in demand” lists that governments put out, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are nearly always on there. As such, if you work in this profession, it can be relatively easy to work anywhere in the world.
However, just because your profession is in demand doesn’t mean that the process is straightforward. Here’s everything you need to know about your healthcare work abroad plans from visas to qualifications to language and cultural barriers. Let’s dive in and learn more.
Why Work in Healthcare Abroad?
First things first, why should you work in healthcare abroad? Well, as with any work abroad experience, it’s a new challenge. Many healthcare workers are looking for a new opportunity to stop things from getting stale, want to make a difference in another country, or aren’t sure where their career is going at this point and want to try something new.
By putting yourself in a new country and culture, you’re opening yourself to new experiences and ways of working. This can help you figure out where you want your career to go and how you like to work. There are huge differences in the way healthcare works around the world, so having a breadth of experience can help you be the best healthcare professional you can be!
Socially speaking, it’s also a good idea to get out and experience different cultures and ways of living. In healthcare, you can get absorbed by your job because it’s so intense, but a change of scenery may allow you to have a better work-life balance or reignite your love of exploring!
How to Find Work in Healthcare Abroad
So, if you want to work in healthcare abroad, what’s the best way to find a job? Well, this is actually pretty straightforward. There are hundreds of job boards that are specifically geared toward finding healthcare jobs abroad.
If you simply Google “healthcare jobs abroad”, you’ll find at least a dozen job boards that you can filter by position, region, qualifications, seniority, and more. Most job postings will tell you the various requirements for the role, including whether they sponsor visas or not.
You can also look directly at government job boards. This is a good place to look if you’re thinking about applying for a job in a country with free or subsidized healthcare as they’re often part of a government department.
How Can I Get a Healthcare Work Visa?
One of the most annoying things about moving abroad is getting a visa. If you’re an EU citizen and you want to work in another EU country, you’re in luck – you don’t need a visa. Otherwise, pretty much everyone will need a visa to work abroad unless you hold dual citizenship in that country.
There are a few different healthcare working visa options, so I’ll go through them one by one.
Sponsored Visas
The most traditional work visa is the sponsored visa. This is where your employer sponsors your visa, essentially vouching for you. This reassures the government that you have a job lined up and won’t be a burden on the state.
Most healthcare jobs abroad will state whether or not they’re willing to sponsor a visa. By and large, most will because it’s an in-demand role. However, if it’s not stated, ask the hiring manager before you get too far through the recruitment process.
Having a sponsored visa means that if you move jobs or quit, you have to find another job that’ll take over the sponsorship of your visa, or you may be asked to leave the country.
I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
Points Systems
Some countries, like Australia, operate on a points system for visas. This means you’re allocated points for different qualifications like professional certificates, language knowledge, and more. The specific point number you’ll need to reach varies from profession to profession.
They also tend to have an “in demand” list of professions that they’re actively looking for. Healthcare is nearly always on this list, which is great, as not every job role is eligible to move to countries like Australia on a working basis.
Healthcare-Specific Visas
If the demand for healthcare professionals is especially large, some governments have developed specific visas for healthcare. This means they can process them quicker on a separate visa track and sometimes some of the requirements are waived or fees are less.
It’s also worth looking for “high-skill visas” as these usually encompass healthcare work. These kinds of visas don’t require you to have a job lined up yet, but you do have to prove you’re qualified in a “high-skill” profession that’s on the given list. This allows you to set up in your new home, search for jobs, and interview in person, which can be a lot less stressful than blindly having to find a job overseas.
Do I Need to Learn a New Language to Work in Healthcare Abroad?
If you’re moving to a country where your first language isn’t your new nation’s first language, you’ll likely be required to learn the language. The level will vary depending on the country or your position, but most places will require an A2 or B1 level of language to be eligible for a working visa of any kind.
On the other hand, if you moving to somewhere that has the same first language this isn’t really a concern. However, it’s always good to know a second language as you’ll be meeting people from all walks of life as a healthcare professional.
Are My Qualifications Valid Overseas?
One major question that many healthcare professionals have about moving overseas is whether or not their qualifications are going to be valid. This is a difficult question. Some countries accept certain qualifications fully, ask that you take a refresher or top up course, or simply don’t recognize certain qualifications.
This is all about making sure the healthcare professionals in the given country are all working to the same standard and with the same knowledge base. Check in advance online to see if your qualifications are recognized in your chosen country before you get too far through the process.
Differences About Working in Healthcare Overseas
There are plenty of differences between working in healthcare overseas and working in the US. Although the human body is pretty much the same everywhere, working overseas can hold a lot of surprises that many healthcare professionals aren’t aware of. Let’s dive into a few of them.
Hierarchies
One thing that definitely changes from place to place is the hierarchical structure of a hospital or doctor’s surgery. Unfortunately, some cultures and countries have more of a strict structure than others, meaning that nurses and other healthcare staff who aren’t doctors are often overlooked or seen as “lesser than”.
If you are coming from a more reasonable hierarchical culture in any position this may be uncomfortable for you. Even if you’re a doctor coming into the top of the hierarchy, the behavior towards other members of staff is going to make you feel some kind of way.
However, this is the way in a lot of countries, and is seen as rewarding based on ability and number of qualifications, rather than experience.
This can also differ in the setup of the hospital or practice. Some places will have boards of trustees or more business-centric managers in place, whereas some will be more clinical-based. Add in places that have additional research or teaching focuses, and there are a lot of different hierarchies and structures at play in different institutions around the world.
Salaries
Healthcare salaries in the US tend to be very, very good, especially compared to places like the UK. However, you do get free healthcare in the UK, so that is not something that you have to think about paying for. Similarly, you need to balance the cost of living against your salary.
For example, if you earn $10,000 a month in San Francisco but have $5,000 worth of outgoings, you’ll be in the same overall financial situation if you’re working a job in Manchester, UK on $5,000 a month and only have $2,500 worth of outgoings.
If you’re thinking of moving to a developing nation, you’re not going to be on that US top-dollar salary. It’s just not realistic. However, your cost of living is going to be so much lower that you might actually be better off in terms of takeaway pay.
Weigh up average salaries against the cost of living and other benefits like healthcare, dental, education, pension, etc., and see where comes out on top. Usually, it’s not the place with the biggest top-line salary number!
Private vs Free Healthcare
One of the major differences you might face is working in a country with free or subsidized healthcare versus a private hospital or vice versa. For example, if you’re used to insurance-based healthcare, like we have in the US, working in the British NHS is going to be a whole other ballgame.
Private healthcare or insurance-based healthcare systems tend to have more money to spend on things like wages, technologies, services, equipment upgrades, and staff perks. State-run healthcare often doesn’t have that luxury.
While it’s lovely to live in a place with free healthcare in case something goes wrong, for the people working in it, it can be challenging, long days, for lower pay and sub-par equipment. However, everyone is able to access healthcare if they need it, and that’s kind of incredible!
Work-Life Balance
In the US, we’re not great at having a work-life balance. It wasn’t until I moved to Europe that it truly hit home. In the US, we don’t think twice about 60-80 hour work weeks in intense professions, such as healthcare. However, in a lot of the world, that is mystifyingly high.
In the UK, on average, nurses work 38-40 hours a week, doctors in hospitals work 45 hours a week, and GPs (general practitioners in local surgeries) work around 30 hours a week. Of course, this doesn’t include covering shifts or taking on extra shifts during busy periods. However, this still offers some semblance of a work-life balance.
In France, the average work week for a nurse is around 35 hours a week without including cover shifts. French law actually limits employees to a maximum of 44 hours per week over a 12-week period, and this can’t exceed 10 hours per day so that people can rest and recover. French nurses are also entitled to a huge five weeks of holiday a year, which is a massive perk and great for work-life balance.
Cultural Differences
Another huge difference that many expats, not just healthcare professionals, face is the cultural difference. Even if you’re moving between countries that you think are relatively similar like the UK and the US, you’re going to find a whole host of differences like class, humor, hobbies, points of reference, and more that are going to throw you for a while.
With larger cultural shocks like moving to an Asian nation from a Western one, it may take you months to get in the swing of things alongside trying to manage your new job. It can be a lot to take on, so be aware.
Tips for Moving Abroad
Even though I don’t work in healthcare, I’ve helped many healthcare professionals move abroad, and I myself have lived in several different countries all across the world. So, here are a few final tips for moving abroad.
Don’t Move to Somewhere You Haven’t Visited
This might sound like a no-brainer, but plenty of people dive in headfirst based on what they’ve seen online, only to be shocked when the reality doesn’t match up. An international move is a big deal, especially if you’re committing to a work contract, so you want to make sure it’s somewhere you can deal with, at least for a year or so.
Go on holiday or a visit to the country if you can, and check out the more residential sections, away from the tourist crowds. It’ll be completely different and show you a new side to the city or place before you commit.
Downsize Now
Moving your stuff is expensive. Start downsizing and selling your stuff now. Think about what you want to take with you and what you can buy when you’re out there. Most places have stores, you can buy crockery and household essentials out there.
If you’re only going on a short contract, figure out a storage solution, and consider renting out or subletting your place, depending on your situation. This way, moving back will be easier and you’ll be making passive income while you’re overseas.
Don’t Forget About the IRS
If you’re a US citizen, you have to file your taxes at home, regardless of where in the world you live. I use MyExpatTaxes to make my tax returns a lot easier, but however you get them done, make sure you remember. The IRS will find you wherever you are. They’re sneaky like that.
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Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.