Filipino nurses, caregivers may train, work in Japan starting this year, DOLE says

Tacloban City -- Starting this year, Filipino nurses and caregivers will have the chance to be recruited for training and for employment in Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment informed on Monday, January 12.

This, after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS) represented by POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili and JICWELS managing director Takashi Tsunoda, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding providing for the recruitment of Filipino nurses as candidate-kangoshi and caregivers as candidate-kaigofukushishi to Japan under the Framework for the Movement of Natural Persons of JPEPA which came into force on December 11, 2008.

The MOU provides for the roles and responsibilities of the both parties and the working conditions of the Filipino nurses and caregivers, that would ensure their welfare and safety while training and working in Japan.

The hiring program will start with the initial recruitment of 200 Filipino nurses and 300 caregivers who will be endorsed to JICWELS by POEA. JICWELS, for its part, will match the nurses and caregivers to hospitals and institutions in Japan that it had pre-qualified to receive the Filipino candidates.

Prior to their actual work with their respective employers in Japan, the selected candidates will undergo a six-month language and culture training, during which time, the candidates shall receive allowance of not less than 40,000 yen of more than P21,000 per month.

The language training will help the candidates prepare for the Japanese licensure examination which can be taken not more than three times within three years in the case of the candidate nurses and once on the 4th year of stay in the case of candidate-caregivers.

Before obtaining their qualification as full-fledged nurse in Japan, the candidate nurses will work under the supervision of a Japanese kangoshi to fully familiarize them with the Japanese system.

After passing the licensure or certification examinations, the fully qualified nurse and certified caregiver will have the option to stay for an unlimited period in Japan to practice their profession based on new and upgraded employment contract with their employer.

Registered nurses with at least three years experience are qualified to apply for training and employment in Japan. Candidate caregivers, on the other hand, should be a graduate of a four-year course and should be certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Graduates of a nursing course may also apply as caregiver.

Applicants shall be required to undergo an aptitude test and interview by JICWELS to facilitate their matching with employers. After selection, they must pass the required medical examination to conclude the employment contract and to successfully qualify to enter Japan. Nominal expenses of application shall be borne by applicants for document submission/authentication, medical examination (P1,500 basic) and visa fee (P1,150). Airfare and on-site training costs are shouldered by the employers or the Government of Japan.

Qualified nurses and caregivers may apply with POEA and to register online at www.eregister.poea.gov.ph. (PIA)

Nursing Council of New Zealand Now Requires Tougher English Scores

The Nursing Council of New Zealand recently made changes in their English language requirements.

All foreign nurses seeking employment in New Zealand even those from English-speaking countries like Britain and the United States are now required to pass a tougher English language assessment with the exception of applicants from Australia.

Under the new rule which took effect January 1, 2009, all foreign-educated nurse applicants, including Filipinos, must achieve a score of at least 7.0 in each band of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to qualify.

Filipino nurses can get jobs in UK by entering as students first

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino nurses still have the chance to fill the nursing gap in the United Kingdom by going there and enrolling in schools first, a recruitment consultant has said.

Emmanuel Geslani said Filipino nurses who want to qualify as clinical instructors and improve their chances as permanent residents in commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia, and the UK must upgrade their academic qualifications.

As such, he recommended that Filipino nurses study and work under a placement scheme pioneered by the consultancy firm International Student Advisors Inc. (ISA).

Under the work paid placement program, nurses will be employed in care homes and hospitals and at the same time be enrolled in accredited British universities offering BSc (hons) Social, Health Care and International Nursing degrees.

ISA Marketing Director Brian Mulhall said in the same statement that the paid work placement is needed by the students so that they can understand what actually happens in the place of work and undertake projects in preparation for their essays and exams.

Under the vocational work placement of at least 30 hours a week, students can cover their living costs and tuition fees.

Ernesto Herrera, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines secretary-general, has recently said that Filipino nurses who acquire post-graduate training to qualify themselves in teaching posts are even more attractive to the foreign market, specifically to the United States.

He also said that teachers, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, physical therapists and trained caregivers are some of the few professions that are still welcome in countries hit hardest by the economic meltdown.

"If we examine closely the recent employment trends in North America and Europe, only their health care and education sectors are actually creating new jobs," said Herrera, who chaired the Senate labor committee when he was a senator.

On the same note, Geslani said that since UK’s health care industry is funded by taxpayer’s money, it is one sector which will endure the financial crunch.

Moreover, he said that the National Health Service, the largest employer in the UK, is failing in providing sufficient primary care and hospital services due the lack of personnel who attend to the sick such as nurses and senior caregivers.

He added that with the aging population of the UK icalculated to reach 30 percent by 2010, some 10 million senior citizens will need better services from care homes.

All this, he said, is fueling the nursing shortage being experienced by the UK, thereby creating more job opportunities for aspiring health care professionals.

ISA said it is inviting all interested nurses who want to enroll in the work placement plan to drop by its offices at 7844 Mavenue Bldg. at Makati Ave. cor Guerrero St. Makati City near the A Venue Mall., with telephone numbers 899-0557 and e-mail address info@internationalstudentadvisors.com.

Applicants may also inquire from ISA’s branches in the cities of Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga, Baguio, Iloilo, San Fernando in La Union, and Bantay, Ilocos Sur. - GMANews.TV

IVT Completion and Issuance

Registered Nurses participating in the 3-day Basic IV Therapy Training Program must have successfully participated in the preparations to be able to accomplish the required injections.

The Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) requires the following case completion:

- 6 cases of initiating/maintaining peripheral IV insertions; - 6 cases of administering IV drugs; and - 2 cases of administering and maintaining blood and blood components.

These cases (6+6+2) must be written in the prescribed IVT Accomplished Requirements format by ANSAP or the respective ANSAP-accredited hospital. It must be duly signed by the trainers/preceptors who witnessed the completion; and the chief nurse wherein the Registered Nurse has undergone the completion.

The successful participant must submit to ANSAP office the following requirements for initial issuance of IVT card:

a) Certificate of Attendance of the participant. (Photocopy and Original)

b) Accomplished IV Requirements of the participant, duly signed by the chief nurse.
Failures may start accomplishing their requirement only after passing the removal examination.

c) Two (2) pcs. of 2×2 ID picture

d) Photocopy of current/valid PRC card (front and back)

e) P400 as processing fee - (Effective August 15, 2008)

Sample of IVT Therapy Nurse Card
issued by ANSAP, Inc.

Applicant must be able to submit these requirements to the ANSAP office within 6 months after the IVT training. Failure to do so would require the participant to undergo the training again.

Processing of IVT Card takes 4-6 weeks after submission of requirements . Call the ANSAP office at Tel. Nos. (02) 497-8071 or (02) 924-6101 to 20 for the availability of IVT card.

IV TRAINING SCHEDULES continuation...

UPDATED.........

DECEMBER 2008

Dec. 01, 2008 - Dec. 03, 2008 - Martinez Hospital, Caloocan City
Dec. 01, 2008 - Dec. 03, 2008 - Medical Center Paranaque, Paranaque City
Dec. 02, 2008 - Dec. 04, 2008 - Lung Center of The Philippines, Quezon City
Dec. 02, 2008 - Dec. 04, 2008 - Remedios T. Romualdez Hospital, Taclobon Leyte
Dec. 03, 2008 - Dec. 05, 2008 - University of Santos Tomas Hospital, Manila
Dec. 03, 2008 - Dec. 05, 2008 - Zamboanga City Medical Center
Dec. 09, 2008 - Dec. 11, 2008 - St. James Hospital, Dita, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Dec. 10, 2008 - Dec. 12, 2008 - Mary Mediatrix Medical Center
Dec. 11, 2008 - Dec. 13, 2008 - Calalang General Hospital, Valenzuela City
Dec. 12, 2008 - Dec. 14, 2008 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
Dec. 14, 2008 - Dec. 16, 2008 - Medical Center Paranaque, Paranaque City
Dec. 15, 2008 - Dec. 17, 2008 - St. Mattheus Medical Hospital, San Mateo, Rizal
Dec. 18, 2008 - Dec. 20, 2008 - Bicol Medical Center
Dec. 26, 2008 - Dec. 28, 2008 - Unciano Medical Center, Antipolo City, Rizal
Dec. 28, 2008 - Dec. 30, 2008 - Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

JANUARY 2009

Jan. 06, 2009 - Jan 08, 2009 - Martinez Memorial Hospital, Caloocan City
Jan. 08-09; 11, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
Jan. 08, 2009 - Jan. 10, 2009 - Calalang General Hospital, Valenzuela City
Jan. 11, 2009 - Jan. 13, 2009 - Cagayan Valley Sanitarium Hospital
Jan. 14, 2009 - Jan. 16, 2009 - Medical Center Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa City
Jan. 14, 2009 - Jan. 16, 2009 - Makati Medical Center, Makati City
Jan. 14, 2009 - Jan. 16, 2009 - Calamba Medical Center, Calamba, Laguna
Jan. 14, 2009 - Jan. 16, 2009 - Chines General Hospital and Medical Center
Jan. 15, 2009 - Jan. 17, 2009 - Benguet General Hospital
Jan. 15-16; 18, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
Jan. 20, 2009 - Jan. 22, 2009 - Martinez Memorial Hospital, Caloocan City
Jan. 20, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2009 - UPH- Dalta Medical Center
Jan. 21, 2009 - Jan. 23, 2009 - Pangasinan Provincial Hospital
Jan. 21, 2009 - Jan. 23, 2009 - Makati Medical Center, Makati City
Jan. 21, 2009 - Jan. 23, 2009 - Pangasinan Provincial Hospital
Jan. 22-23; 25, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
Jan. 23, 2009 - Jan. 25, 2009 - Sacred Heart Hospital, Cebu
Jan. 22, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2009 - Calalang General Hospital, Valenzuela City
Jan. 22, 2009 - Jan. 24, 2009 - Bauan Doctors General Hospital
Jan. 24, 2009 - Jan. 26, 2009 - MPI Medical Center Muntinlupa City
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - Bicol Medical Center
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - Region 1 Medical Center, Pangasinan
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center, Madaluyong City
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - V.L Makabali Memorial Hospital, Pampanga
Jan. 26, 2009 - Jan. 28, 2009 - Manila Adventist Medical Center, Pasay City
Jan. 29, 2009 - Jan. 30, 2009 - Calalang General Hospital, Valenzuela City
Jan. 29-30, 2009 - Feb. 01, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
-


FEBRUARY 2009

Feb. 05, 2009 - Feb. 07, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
Feb. 11, 2009 - Feb. 13, 2009 - Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City
Feb. 12, 2009 - Feb. 14, 2009 - Jescons Medical Center
Feb. 13, 2009 - Feb. 15, 2009 - Bicol Medical Center
Feb. 15, 2009 - Feb. 17, 2009 - Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital, Sta. Maria, Bulacan
Feb. 16, 2009 - Feb. 18, 2009 - Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
Feb. 17, 2009 - Feb. 19, 2009 - Mary Johnston Hospital, Tondo, Manila
Feb. 18, 2009 - Feb. 20, 2009 - Bicol Medical Center
Feb. 21, 2009 - Feb. 23, 2009 - Unciano Medical Center, Antipolo City, Rizal
Feb. 23, 2009 - Feb. 25, 2009 - Maria Reyna Hospital, Cagayan de Oro City
Feb. 25, 2009 - Feb, 27, 2009 - Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City


MARCH 2009

March 09, 2009 - March 11, 2009 - Laguna Provinvial Hospital, Sta. Cruz, Laguna
March 09, 2009 - March 11, 2009 - Las Pinas Medical Center
March 17, 2009 - March 19, 2009 - Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
March 25, 2009 - March 27, 2009 - Mary Mediatrix Medical Center
March 25, 2009 - March 27, 2009 - Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
March 31, 2009 - April 02, 2009 - Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City


APRIL 2009

April 01, 2009 - April 03, 2009 - Bicol Medical Center
April 18, 2009 - April 20, 2009 - Unciano Medical Center, Antipolo City, Rizal
April 22, 2009 - April 24, 2009 - Mount Carmel Diocesan General Hospital
April 21, 2009 - April 23, 2009 - Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City

* Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. ANSAP only accredits hospitals offering basic IVT training and updates. ** Contact the respective hospitals for further details regarding IVT training registration. *** Please check your local hospitals for any ANSAP-accredited basic IVT training programs, some are not listed in the schedules.

**** Basic IVT Training Fees range from Php 1,500 to P2,500 depending on the hospital’s discretion.

Source: ANSAP, Inc. and some hospitals listed

NURSES CRY OVER LONG OVERDUE SALARY INCREASE: Warns that this is causing Nurses to Consider Overseas employment

Press Release
July 24, 2008


NURSES CRY OVER LONG OVERDUE SALARY INCREASE:
Warns that this is causing Nurses to Consider Overseas
employment

“We are just asking for the implementation of
our Nursing Law!” This is the message of the National
President of the Philippine Nurses Association, Dr Leah
Samaco Paquiz. She explained that since 2002, the
Republic Act 9173, also known as the Nursing Act of
2002, the salaries of nurses should have been not lower
than salary grade 15. “This is clear in Section 32 that ‘in
order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to
service and professionalism of nurses, the minimum base
pay of nurses working in public health institution shall not
be lower than salary grade 15,’” points out Paquiz.

Six years after the enactment of the Nursing Law,
nurses remain to be underpaid in the Philippines. Under
the law, a nurse in the government should be receiving a
monthly salary of P16,093.00, but many nurses are still
receiving way below this legal monthly salary. Some are
receiving less that P 10,000 monthly income. “How do we
expect these nurses to remain in government service with
this kind of salary?” ask Paquiz. She points out that while
salary is not the reason why nurses serve, she
recognizes that the foreign employment becomes more
attractive to these nurses, who would have loved to
serve Filipinos if only they can be paid fair enough.
Paquiz asserts that many nurses are not intending to go
abroad and would love to serve, but are discouraged by
the very low salary they are getting from the workload
that are given them. A nurse attends to fifty patients in
many hospital settings, even if the ideal ratio is 1 nurse is
to 10 patients. But nurses do not complain and still
manage to perform their best.

“We need to entice these nurses to work in public
health and in government service by this simple request to
provide them what is just and legal,” adds Paquiz. She
clarifies that what they are asking for is not beyond what
is mandated by the law. “What’s taking them so long to
implement this salary, which beneficiary is not only the
nurses but the general public that they most willingly
serve?” she inquires.

Nurses do not intend to rally or boycott their
post. “But let us not wait for the time that they all leave to
work abroad even if in their hearts, they love to serve the
Filipinos,” warns Paquiz. “We can only have government
to blame, if it fails to look into giving nurses what is due
them,” she ends.


DR. LEAH PRIMITIVA G. SAMACO-PAQUIZ
National President

Cebu Hospitals ( Requirements)

Chong Hua Hospital ( for staff nurse)

Requirements:

3pcs. 2x2 picture
2 Xerox Copies each the following and Segregate

Application Letter(Address to Mrs. Susan V. Canono HRD Manager Chong Hua Hospital Cebu City Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City 6000)

Comprehensive Resume Recommendation from the Dean

PNA card
PRC license
SSS no.
TIN no.
Philhealth no.
Certificate/s of previous employer (if any)
Community Tax
Professional Tax Receipt (PTR)
TOR
RLE
Board rating
Board certificate
College Diploma
NBI Clearance
Marriage Contract (if married)
Not more than 35 yrs. old

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cebu Doctors University Hospital (staff nurse)

Requirements:

For interested RNs, submit your credentials to HR department or Nursing Service Department.

Please submit the following:
1.Application letter addressed to:

Engr. Oscar A. Tuason
Administrator
Cebu Doctors' Univesity Hospital

Through:
Mrs. Edna Jocelyn S. Caballero
Director
Nursing Service
Cebu Doctor's University Hospital

2.Biodata or Resume
3.Two (2) recommendation letters from the Dean of the college last attended & from the company where applicant has been employed last.
4.ID picture -8pcs (1x1) picture in uniform (blue background)
5.Photocopy of the following:
-Transcript of Records & Related Learning Experience
-College Diploma
-Board Rating
-Board Certificate
-PRC License
-PNA Card
-NBI or Police Clearance
-Birth Certificate
-Marriage Contract (if married)
-SSS E-1 form (SSS E-4, if married)

Please present your original documents upon submission of your requirements


Send your application to:

P.O. Box 662
Osmena Blvd.
Cebu City, 6000
Philippines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISAYA COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER

1. Bio-data / Resume
2. 2x2 colored ID picture (2pcs)
3. Submit photocopy of the following:
 Transcript of Records
 Board Rating
 PRC Card
 Diploma
 Recommendation from school
 Police clearance
 Barangay Clearance
 NBI clearance
 Certificate of seminars attended
 SSS E-1 form with SSS number
 Tax Identification Number (TIN)
14. Self-addressed envelopes (2 pcs), attached with:
 1 Php 6.00 stamp
 1 Php 12.00 stamp
Address your application letter to:
Ms. Maribel A. Semante
Manager
Human Resource and Development Office
Visayas Community Medical Center
Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perpetual Succor Hospital (staff nurse)

Requirements:

(1) Application Letter addressed to Sr. Santaniña Maria Bernaldez, SPC (Hospital Administrator) (1) Application Letter addressed to either: Sr. Gaudelia Baluyot, SPC (Nursing Service Directress – for nurses and aides) Two copies of the following to be submitted in two separate folders and arranged accordingly: - Resumè/Biodata - 2x2 pictures (4 pcs.) - Transcript of Records - Diploma - Itemized Board Rating - Professional License/PRC Certification - Board Certificate - PNA ID (fiscal year - for nurses) - SSS Number - TIN (for those who had been previously employed) - Character certification from the school Dean and two other references - Employment Certificate – for those who have been previously employed - Police Clearance (latest – within 6 mos. or 1 yr. for NBI clearance) - Birth Certificate - Baptismal Certificate - Marriage Certificate if married (by church only) - Residential Certificate Applicants should be/have: - not more than 30 years old - single or married - of good moral character - with or without experience - strong interpersonal skills, flexibility and the ability to work well under pressure - detail oriented and organized - team oriented - honest, punctual, dependable, loyal - willing to be trained Fresh graduates may pass their applications without the PRC results/certificate/license. Requirements are to be submitted in two long folders.