Saudi Red Crescent Authority

[WTEngel]

It is a general rule that you should NEVER have to pay anything to an employer when trying to obtain overseas work.

The only out of pocket expense other than postage was the physical examination. I am not sure what the total cost on this is yet, as my physician is a personal friend and is working agressively to file everything possible with my current insurance company. I would be prepared to pay $500.00 or possibly more for your medical exam. That should be your only out of pocket expense.

The only other possible expense that you might have to pay is if you are unable to get all of your documents notarized, the Saudi consulate might charge a fee to certify those documents, which basically amounts to them doing a little legwork to make phone calls and ensure that your documents are in fact genuine. I am not positive, but I believe the cost per document is something aliong the line of $30.00. My advice is to get everything notarized before you send it in, as the Saudi certification process is likely to take longer than you would like to wait, and also, depending on the number of documents they have to certify, it could become costly. Have all your t's crossed and i's dotted before you mail in your application, it will make your life and their job much easier and expedient.

 

[McLenin]

I dont have a personal doctor, so its going to be a journey for me. I dont even know where to start....<_<

 

[WTEngel]

Without a primary care physician, you are probably looking at going the most expensive possible route to get your physical. I am not sure if you have insureance or not, but without insurance, I wouldn't be surprised if you paid upwards of $600 or $700. I know the chest x rays alone are generally $100 w/o insurance.

Perhaps you should approach a physician and begin a relationship with them as your primary. Basically ask them for a routine physical, and hand them the work physical paperwork from teh SRCA, and request that they add on all the addiotinal tests.

Another resource for you to look into would be immigration physicians in your area. Typically these physicians do immigration physicals for immigrants wanting US citizenship, however, they should have experience in dealing with the paperwork involved in international travel regarding helth clearance.

Sorry I don't really have any other ideas. I know that the price for the physical may sound high, but also remember, you get a relocation bonus as soon as you arrive in Saudi. It is equal to one months base salary (possibly around 3,000 USD?) which should help offset any of the costs you incur while in processing.

 

[falcon-18]

You won't be asked to drive. you could get paired with an EMT from any number of countries. I am sure you should be paired with an arbic speaker. In the cities english is spoken by some. The majority of Saudi's don't speak much english.

I know some won't agree and say most Saudi's speak english. But from my experience it helps to learn some basic arabic.


" wayne Alum" where does it hurt
" lotta Harrick" Dont move
theres the arabic lesson for today..

that is right the driver should be saudian man because he knows the place and he can talk with the dispatch

good course for arabic

if you want I will give you course

do not worries it is free.

kaif halouk(( how are you ))

As per Dr Nakiti, you are paired with an EMT B/ driver/ translator who has a good knowledge of the city's streets. My assumption is that this EMT will be Saudi. In addition, you will have a BLS ambulance on every scene.

+2 that is right.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

WTE I am also in the no insurance boat. Do you think SRCA will take my physical from CHS when I was in Florida processing for Kuwait around 4 or 5 months ago?

 

[WTEngel]

That would be a question for the visa handler at Redezvous.

Best case scenario you are able to take the entire lab work packet from your CHS physical to the MD of your choosing and they will accept the results and sign off on your medical form without re ordering the tests. There is a 6 month tiem limit limit on the lab work I believe, but I could be wrong... for some reason 3 months also sticks out as a possible expiration date.

I hate to say it, but it seems like there might be a big chance you will be redoing your physical. If there is any doubt about whether they will accept it or not, I would completely redo the physical, despite the cost. The amount of time you will lose by sending in the visa packet innapropriately filled out could be weeks, and possibly months, assuming you have to make an appointment for another physical, mail the paperwork back and forth, etc, etc...

Also, I know the cost is a big factor, but the relocation is payable on arrival in Saudi...if that helps.

 

[falcon-18]

Also, I came onto two photos of the new helicopters. They are outstanding airframes, and they look great!

that is right WT you bring it before me, no proplem.

this photos also for it ,in the first time of test in riyadh.

 

[WTEngel]

Awesome pics Omar! Very cool. I was speaking with Jay Paladino and he told me about the training they did on the highway the other day. He said the state police did an awesome job in controlling the traffic for the drill...He said things are looking really good over there.

Omar, where are you based out of?

 

[McLenin]

falcon
Do you know where we will be living ? I will appreciate a lot, if you can find that out, and maybe post pictures....

 

[calimedic]

Red Crescent

I spoke with Jay as well. He is on the ground now in Saudi. He seems to be happy with the way things are looking. There is a large expatriate community and there are lots of activities going on. Desert trips etc...

I found this guys web-site, a paramedic who wrote a book about Saudi.

WWW.paramedictotheprince.com. Jay has read it and says it is a very good read.

Good luck, if nothing else it should prove to be a great adventure.

 

[falcon-18]

falcon
Do you know where we will be living ? I will appreciate a lot, if you can find that out, and maybe post pictures....

I do not have any clear idea about it..

really I want help you but I do not know .

According to my knowledge that foreigners living in housing by the guards is very tight by security men. Such as vertical village and the village of dew in Jeddah, there are many of them and you can also live out if you want at your own risk. This is what I know is for the companies where there are foreigners.

good luck .

 

[ExpatMedic0]

My friend Aaron who is also an Oregon medic just got his offer today. So he will be coming along also!

 

[falcon-18]

Awesome pics Omar! Very cool. I was speaking with Jay Paladino and he told me about the training they did on the highway the other day. He said the state police did an awesome job in controlling the traffic for the drill...He said things are looking really good over there.

Omar, where are you based out of?

I am working in JEDDAH city. near al haramin high road.

who is Jay Paladino ?????

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Question,

regarding the notarized documents. Every time I have had a document notarized its been something that just needs to be signed in front of a witness.

How can the notary verify all your employment records, paramedic cert, acls ect... by stamping the paper? How did you guys deal with this?

 

[WTEngel]

I actually had to ask my employers and former employers to notarize the letter they were giving me. They looked at me funny and questioned me about it, and I just said it was for overseas employment, and that the perspective employer was very specific about wanting it notarized. I was then very gracious and told them how much of a help it would be if they could just find a way to get it notarized, and that worked for me.

As for your ACLS certs and all that, those do not need to be notarized. Documents that are originals, like your diploma, I believe can be certified by the consulate, for a fee. I am not 100% positive about this, and I do not know what it requires, but the travel agent basically told me she would get back to me with any fees that the consulate might charge to certify documents. So far she has not contacted me about any fees, and supposedly my work visa is going to be approved Wednesday the 16th (fingers crossed.)

My advice would be to go to a notary and ask how you can certify a document as authentic. They may have a form or something that you can attach to the original diploma that can be notarized by them. The last thing I want is a big ugly notary public stamp on my pretty paramedic diploma ; )

 

[skysix]

SRC / Action Aviation

Hi - new to forum.

Just spoke with Jay and offer in mail - I'm also from Portland. Can anyone contact me off line with what details to look for in the offer etc so I don't miss something essential and screw myself?

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Hey I would help a fellow Portlander if I could, but I am not really familiar with this. It will make my 2nd offer ever for an international Paramedic contract. I am sure someone on here can help you though. Seems like there is atleast 3 of us from Oregon heading over. Look forward to meeting everyone if it all work out!

-Mike

 

[Flight Med]

I seen the job listing on Flightweb and was wondering how lucrative the position was as a flightmedic over there. I am currently in Alaska working as a critical care FM here.

 

[Yurong]

Wow, I'm glad I found this forum! I've been playing e-mail tag with Dr.
Nakity for a couple of months now for a ground position. I am currently finishing up by B.S. in EMS at Eastern Kentucky University after having had my medic for a few years. I hadn't even considered international employment until after speaking with several Saudi students who were sent to EKU from the Red Crescent to get their paramedics. I've explored a couple of other positions in KSA at the specialist hospitals, but most are requiring 5 years post bachelor's degree employment, regardless of the total years of EMS experience.

Anyway, I was hoping that someone could forward those magical emails that have been bouncing around to avoid asking some redundant questions that have already been answered. As a side note, if anyone receives any documents in Arabic that they need translated, several of the students at the university have offered to help me, and I am sure I could get them to look at others (helping with their end of year practicals have really paid off).

I haven't quite reached a job offer stage (I have been waiting to receive my passport for over two months now...) so I was hoping someone could give a general heads up on the salary's that are being offered to the ground medics. Feel free to tell me its none of my business, but it would really help satisfy my curiosity. You can PM me

 

[ExpatMedic0]

did you expedite your passport?

Wow, I'm glad I found this forum! I've been playing e-mail tag with Dr.
Nakity for a couple of months now for a ground position. I am currently finishing up by B.S. in EMS at Eastern Kentucky University after having had my medic for a few years. I hadn't even considered international employment until after speaking with several Saudi students who were sent to EKU from the Red Crescent to get their paramedics. I've explored a couple of other positions in KSA at the specialist hospitals, but most are requiring 5 years post bachelor's degree employment, regardless of the total years of EMS experience.

Anyway, I was hoping that someone could forward those magical emails that have been bouncing around to avoid asking some redundant questions that have already been answered. As a side note, if anyone receives any documents in Arabic that they need translated, several of the students at the university have offered to help me, and I am sure I could get them to look at others (helping with their end of year practicals have really paid off).

I haven't quite reached a job offer stage (I have been waiting to receive my passport for over two months now...) so I was hoping someone could give a general heads up on the salary's that are being offered to the ground medics. Feel free to tell me its none of my business, but it would really help satisfy my curiosity. You can PM me