ExpatMedic0
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ah! I herd some rumors about that. Hopefully the guy who was asking me about his wife getting hired with them on this thread reads this.
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
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alphatrauma
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Hoppymedic
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that was me schulz my wife is finishing up her GBI stuff her SF 86 is completed and she is getting ready to deploy... things have actually went well with the process so far, so i guess we will wait and see what happens,
but once again it is goo to have the info to process and put it all together. She made a call today and asked some questions, evedently they did have an issue but the indavidual that it was around is no longer with CHS, so hopefully there will be no problems...
but once again it is goo to have the info to process and put it all together. She made a call today and asked some questions, evedently they did have an issue but the indavidual that it was around is no longer with CHS, so hopefully there will be no problems...
The 100+ page SF-86 is completed and clearance approved? Big Dif! Mine was completed last July and I am still waiting TWICE i was told that 1. my papers were misplaced and never got assigned to a investigator for 3 months THEN 2. They lost some papers that i had signed and they sent a investigator to my station to have me resign some papers.
CHS does treat their people really good HERE.. At the Cape we were at a awsome hotel great food plus per diem money...They do currently have a FEMA contract pending for a clinic in Haiti..I was told just last week that they may send me to Haiti for 9 months of my 12month Kuwait contract then finish out in Kuwait.
Since I do keep in contact with my friends at CHS and are currently in Kuwait. I can tell you there are alot of opening there for a reason. They don't have enough people to fill shifts to allow people to take their vacations..I personally think that they are feeling growing pains and are having issues working them all out...In general they are a great group of people, However the state side people are disconected from the reality of deployment and dealing with employees over seas.
The apartmens are really nice over there..i have a few photos i will try to post one here for you if i can figure this out!
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...dID=78548415&albumID=3047289&imageID=54921923
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...dID=78548415&albumID=3047289&imageID=54921929
akflightmedic
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Because they were fired by DynCorp from their Afghan contract....that happened a couple months ago...OHS took over...
ExpatMedic0
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Ill be damned, i got my job offer today!
Me Too! Or at least the preliminary offer. I sent it to a Saudi friend of mine who is employed by the palace and is finishing up his BS in EMS at EKU with me. I wanted him to look it over and see if it was comparable to other offers, So I will take a few days too look over it.
Need help please
OK..I have my VISA and deployment date..HOWEVER when i got my passport and VISA back I am missing several documents that I will need when I get to Saudi..If anyone got their package Please look for some papers with a name close to my screename and let me know ASAP...I called the SRCA this morning and they Know of the problem and think the Saudi Embassy in DC Mixed a bunch of papers up and Gaby never checked before she sent them all out.. I do have papers from 2 other people in my package that i did contact and am getting their papers to them...AS any of you know that are going through this process all the papers we have are a major pain to obtain:excl::excl::excl:
:wacko:
FURTHERMORE i was sent a email that others did NOT get so i will share with all of you here on what to bring when deploying>:
We recommend the following:
1. Carry with you on the plane – and not in your checked luggage – all of the documents that have been used by the Saudi embassy and by your travel coordinator (eg: Gabi at Rendezvous Travel)
2. Carry five photocopies, each, of both the photo ID page and the Saudi visa page of your passport; carry 10 original prints of your passport photograph
3. Pack a 60-day supply of any prescription medication that you may require; prescription bottles must be properly labeled and in your name
4. Visit a major bank near you and exchange a few hundred US dollars, or the equivalent, for Saudi riyals
5. Call your bank and your credit card issuers to double check that cards are activated for use outside of your home country
6. Although Saudi Red Crescent will issue uniforms to you, you are welcome to pack a few additional white uniform shirts, black or navy-blue trousers and black duty shoes or boots if you feel especially attached to a particular fit or a particular brand
7. Please give our Saudi Red Crescent contact details to a family member or a trusted friend; please note for them the time zone difference;
8. If your government provides a registration service for citizens abroad, we recommend that you enroll online
US Department of State
http://www.state.gov
9. Please be respectful: refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages on your day of departure; do not bring or pack in your luggage any alcohol, pornography (including digital files), pork products, knives, firearms, weapons, illegal drugs, etc.
10. Check in for your international flight at your airport at least two hours prior to departure.
Looking forward to having you in SRCA team.
OK..I have my VISA and deployment date..HOWEVER when i got my passport and VISA back I am missing several documents that I will need when I get to Saudi..If anyone got their package Please look for some papers with a name close to my screename and let me know ASAP...I called the SRCA this morning and they Know of the problem and think the Saudi Embassy in DC Mixed a bunch of papers up and Gaby never checked before she sent them all out.. I do have papers from 2 other people in my package that i did contact and am getting their papers to them...AS any of you know that are going through this process all the papers we have are a major pain to obtain:excl::excl::excl:
:wacko:
FURTHERMORE i was sent a email that others did NOT get so i will share with all of you here on what to bring when deploying>:
We recommend the following:
1. Carry with you on the plane – and not in your checked luggage – all of the documents that have been used by the Saudi embassy and by your travel coordinator (eg: Gabi at Rendezvous Travel)
2. Carry five photocopies, each, of both the photo ID page and the Saudi visa page of your passport; carry 10 original prints of your passport photograph
3. Pack a 60-day supply of any prescription medication that you may require; prescription bottles must be properly labeled and in your name
4. Visit a major bank near you and exchange a few hundred US dollars, or the equivalent, for Saudi riyals
5. Call your bank and your credit card issuers to double check that cards are activated for use outside of your home country
6. Although Saudi Red Crescent will issue uniforms to you, you are welcome to pack a few additional white uniform shirts, black or navy-blue trousers and black duty shoes or boots if you feel especially attached to a particular fit or a particular brand
7. Please give our Saudi Red Crescent contact details to a family member or a trusted friend; please note for them the time zone difference;
8. If your government provides a registration service for citizens abroad, we recommend that you enroll online
US Department of State
http://www.state.gov
9. Please be respectful: refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages on your day of departure; do not bring or pack in your luggage any alcohol, pornography (including digital files), pork products, knives, firearms, weapons, illegal drugs, etc.
10. Check in for your international flight at your airport at least two hours prior to departure.
Looking forward to having you in SRCA team.
OP
OP
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It's official...
Just wanted to let everyone know that I actually received my permit from the Health Council today, signed my contract, and turned in my iqama application. I will have my iqama Monday, and get paid on Tuesday.
Everything is worked out, and I anticipate that the rest of the guys should be processing 10 from the arrival date, barring any unforseen circumstances (missing paperwork, problems with the physical screening, etc.) In fact, because of all the education we were able to do with my case file, the guy who arrived after me actually processed in 9 days. The processing problem is smoothing out here, and things are looking good...
Things changed after the 1st of the year, but with a little bit of education on how the paramedic education system works in America, I think I have been able to pave the way for the rest of everyone to process smoothly. Like I said, my roommate processed in 9 days, and he arrived with the exact same paperwork that I did, so we have obviously gotten something worked out.
Next, I would like to mention I posted a packing list on my blog if anyone wants to check it, and also, I would like to recommend that you guys bring your Garmin or other GPS device with you...you can download the Arabian peninsula map series when you get here for 200 SAR and it will mae a huge difference when you start navigating the roads. I forgot to mention also, you may want to bring a towel. I brought 1,000 USD worth of Saudi Riyals with me, and I also brought 500 USD in American cash. You will probably never use the American cash, however should the weather get bad and the plane have to make an unscheduled landing before you arrive in Riyadh, or if you get delayed on a connection, OR any other unforseen circumstances, American cash is hand to keep with you.
I have also started a PRIVATE google maps page that I can give people access to when they arrive on which I have marked the compound, SRCA office, Diplomatic Quarter, and a few other important places.
Sorry I have not been on in a while guys, but I am getting things squared away here. Don;t worry, for the SRCA guys, I am probably the first person you will meet when you arrive at the compound. I have become the unofficial welcoming committee. So far I have gotten the last two guys set up with no problems.
If you are SRCA, try to send me a private message here or at my e mail 24-48 hours prior to departure. I will give you my Saudi number and contact info, so you can show it to the driver who picks you up and call me on their cell phone. We have a great group of guys so far, and we are going to mae sure that all of you showing up have a good network when you arrive and are well taken care of!
I hope this puts some of your minds at ease, and feel free to check out my blog and show it to your spouses. A few guys have found it helpful in diminishing some of the concerns them and their families have had.
Cheers! I look forward to seeing you guys!
travisinsaudi.blogspot.com
Just wanted to let everyone know that I actually received my permit from the Health Council today, signed my contract, and turned in my iqama application. I will have my iqama Monday, and get paid on Tuesday.
Everything is worked out, and I anticipate that the rest of the guys should be processing 10 from the arrival date, barring any unforseen circumstances (missing paperwork, problems with the physical screening, etc.) In fact, because of all the education we were able to do with my case file, the guy who arrived after me actually processed in 9 days. The processing problem is smoothing out here, and things are looking good...
Things changed after the 1st of the year, but with a little bit of education on how the paramedic education system works in America, I think I have been able to pave the way for the rest of everyone to process smoothly. Like I said, my roommate processed in 9 days, and he arrived with the exact same paperwork that I did, so we have obviously gotten something worked out.
Next, I would like to mention I posted a packing list on my blog if anyone wants to check it, and also, I would like to recommend that you guys bring your Garmin or other GPS device with you...you can download the Arabian peninsula map series when you get here for 200 SAR and it will mae a huge difference when you start navigating the roads. I forgot to mention also, you may want to bring a towel. I brought 1,000 USD worth of Saudi Riyals with me, and I also brought 500 USD in American cash. You will probably never use the American cash, however should the weather get bad and the plane have to make an unscheduled landing before you arrive in Riyadh, or if you get delayed on a connection, OR any other unforseen circumstances, American cash is hand to keep with you.
I have also started a PRIVATE google maps page that I can give people access to when they arrive on which I have marked the compound, SRCA office, Diplomatic Quarter, and a few other important places.
Sorry I have not been on in a while guys, but I am getting things squared away here. Don;t worry, for the SRCA guys, I am probably the first person you will meet when you arrive at the compound. I have become the unofficial welcoming committee. So far I have gotten the last two guys set up with no problems.
If you are SRCA, try to send me a private message here or at my e mail 24-48 hours prior to departure. I will give you my Saudi number and contact info, so you can show it to the driver who picks you up and call me on their cell phone. We have a great group of guys so far, and we are going to mae sure that all of you showing up have a good network when you arrive and are well taken care of!
I hope this puts some of your minds at ease, and feel free to check out my blog and show it to your spouses. A few guys have found it helpful in diminishing some of the concerns them and their families have had.
Cheers! I look forward to seeing you guys!
travisinsaudi.blogspot.com
ExpatMedic0
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Ok now that I am further along in the process I have questions for those of you who have completed it.
1. Is there an official form I send to the NREMT to show my certificate is in good standing? How did you do this?
2. I still need my passport should I
A. buy a $50 greyhound ticket to Canada and make an appoint to the Seattle Passport office showing I have proof of international travel in less than 2 weeks and walk out the same day with a passport?
OR
B. Some how obtain something from the SRCA for the Passport office to show I need a U.S. passport within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa?
3. Did any of you get hung up with the visa handler, if so how?
1. Is there an official form I send to the NREMT to show my certificate is in good standing? How did you do this?
2. I still need my passport should I
A. buy a $50 greyhound ticket to Canada and make an appoint to the Seattle Passport office showing I have proof of international travel in less than 2 weeks and walk out the same day with a passport?
OR
B. Some how obtain something from the SRCA for the Passport office to show I need a U.S. passport within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa?
3. Did any of you get hung up with the visa handler, if so how?
OP
OP
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You do not need a letter from the NREMT stating you are in good standing, you need a letter from your state licensing authority. You need to contact the licensing authority in your state and get the letter from them.
The passport situation is up to you...I am surprised you got an offer without a valid passport, that was required in the paperwork I needed to send in order to get the offer. Anyway, with that fact aside, how you deal with getting a passport is your business...I don't know which would be faster. I do know you can expedite the passport processing for an additional fee and they will usually turn it around in 2 or 3 weeks generally...
The only problem I had with the visa handler was that I did not receive all of my documents back. I called her when I got the visa back without the documents, and she sent me the rest of the documents overnight and I had them the next day...I have heard of others having trouble, but that isn't my story to tell...
Best of luck to you...
TE
The passport situation is up to you...I am surprised you got an offer without a valid passport, that was required in the paperwork I needed to send in order to get the offer. Anyway, with that fact aside, how you deal with getting a passport is your business...I don't know which would be faster. I do know you can expedite the passport processing for an additional fee and they will usually turn it around in 2 or 3 weeks generally...
The only problem I had with the visa handler was that I did not receive all of my documents back. I called her when I got the visa back without the documents, and she sent me the rest of the documents overnight and I had them the next day...I have heard of others having trouble, but that isn't my story to tell...
Best of luck to you...
TE
A couple more questions to throw into the mix. I received my preliminary offer and I had a questions. Has anyone heard if overtime is available and how it is calculated? Any bonuses added onto the final job offer for ACLS, PALS, CPR, or EMT instructors? While the offer was adequate, I have several Saudi Friends at the University I am at and they stated that overtime is usually available (if not abundant) with both the red crescent and private services over there and that I should make sure that the way overtime is handled is put into the offer, as some places will only pay for so much overtime and then give out PTO hours after that.
Also, how many people are applying with a B.S. degree in either Emergency Medical Care, Emergency Health Services, or similar? My Saudi friends were a little surprised at the job offer and thought that for some reason it may have been computed at just an AAS level instead of a B.S. level.
I sent all these questions to human resources and will post a reply when I get it, but I was hoping that someone else may have some insight.
Also, how many people are applying with a B.S. degree in either Emergency Medical Care, Emergency Health Services, or similar? My Saudi friends were a little surprised at the job offer and thought that for some reason it may have been computed at just an AAS level instead of a B.S. level.
I sent all these questions to human resources and will post a reply when I get it, but I was hoping that someone else may have some insight.
helimedic39
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Silly Question - Are those US registration numbers on the aircraft? Why?
helimedic39
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Yes they are us reg numbers, however I could not possible tell you why they have them? Maybe because they were purchased from mcdonnell/douglas and it's a U.S based company? You're guess is as good as mine
I just went through the whole VISA process and what Travis discusses with the deploma vs certification..after many phone calls. I was conected with the Saudi Education diplimant in Washington DC Embassy..Here is what we came up with..HE wants to see your NREMT ORIGINAL certificate that they mail you! the one with the Gold Foil stamp! Once he saw that it made him happy!
To get your VISA you have to put everything they ask including your passport into a envlope and sent to the VISA obtainers..and BE prepared anything they want they want next day by fedex..as everyone will attest this whole process is a few hundred dollars with all the medical stuff they want also!
Armor10
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This might seem like a silly question, but to everyone over there, whats the power situation like? Do you have standard US plug in's? Are you guys using some kind of adapter? If so what kind? And how many would you recommend bringing? Are you having any issues charging your Laptop or I-phones? Just thought I should ask. On a more pleasant note, the Visa Handler should get the last key piece of info he needs today. Hopefully this will do it and I'll get my Visa approved sometime this week. All my other documents are a go, so I hope this works. Stay tuned for more info as soon as I receive it.
In reference to the above question I received the following answer this morning:
Dear Mr.Yurong ,
Your salary offer based on your associates degree and since you did not graduate yet we can not give you an offer with out having the certificate .About the overtime is going to be applied according to the Saudi Labor Law the 1 hr = 1 1/2 hr normal working hrs and it has to be approved first by the SRCA administration.
Our priority is to offer furnished accommodation matching your life style if it will be not available we will give you hous! ing allowance . SRCA has its own instructors but if somebody chosen to be instructor he will be entitled for instructor fee.
Regards,
Assma AL-Tuwaijri
Human Resources / Recruiting
Saudi Red Crescent Authority
-------------------------------
It was a very fast reply so far as things have been, so that makes me feel much better. The only thing that seems kinda funky is the approval process for the overtime - they didn't say how much is available. For the people that are already in country, what have you heard about the overtime? I am hoping to come over and do nothing BUT work for the year to pay off all my undergrad debt, then stay another three or four so I can cover med school.
Thanks for the help,
Justin
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