Specialization is a very open road in Switzerland. You can start by working 1 year in surgery and then work 4 years in 2 different hospitals in internal medicine and then work 3 years in neurology in a university hospital and you end up a neurologist. The exact requirements for each specialization are listed in the ISFM website and hardly anyone only does 5 years of specialization, in most cases you add a few extra years to perfect your knowledge. So basically you apply for a job for 1 year when you're still a medical student, to start working as soon as you get your medical degree. And then you apply for a job that will start when the first one ends, etc. Be aware most jobs are fully staffed 1 to 2 years in advance.
What country do you come from and what specialization are you interested in?
I didn't think it worked like that but it looks really interesting, so each hospital may enrich your knowledge in an "unique way".
I am from Italy and i'll most likely specialice in neurosurgery, but from what i'm understanding i can ""customize" my years of specialization (probably based not only on my preferences but also on the avaiability of jobs), so it may change a lot based on the circumstances.
What do you mean by saying that jobs are fully staffed with 1/2 years in advance?
I mean you need to apply to jobs a while in advance. I applied for my first job while I was in my last year of medical school and immediately after that I applied to jobs for the rest of my specialization.
I'll keep it in mind even though i don't know how well it will work for me for the first year as i'll be concluding the medical course in my country ecc.
Anyways thank you very much for your help, have a nice day!
Yes to the "customization".
A gynaecologist I know elected to do 6 months in general emergency intake (not to do with gynaecology) because she said she wanted to practice the skills it would take (and which she may later need as a specialist gynaecologist) to make a rapid assessment of a patient's overall condition, of working under high time pressure, and having to take decisions even when she might not have had a chance to gather all the information she'd ideally need.
Similarly, I knew a neurosurgeon who did a part of his specialisation in a cardiology unit, because he wanted to gain a better grasp of what would be taking place in the patient's system, overall, during any surgery he may later perform.
I would say that is more so like in most of the non EU countries ( Asian, African South American countries).
In Switzerland is: numerus clausus/ AufnahmepruĚfung >> 3yrs Bachelors/ non clinical>> 3yrs masters/ clinical subjects with master thesis (total like your 6yrs) >> Staatsexamen/ federal licensing exam >> apply for job cum specialization course as resident doctor/ assistenzarzt in centrally classified hospitals or clinics.
Read my posts, which roegner has sent you.
Yes, thatâs true. You need find a job in hospital which is meant for specialization. Please read my earlier posts.
There are no bond to be signed as in many countries or with different hospitals.
But depending upon your competency, you could get an offer/work contract for indefinite time period (which also has provision of âusuallyâ 2-3 months resignation/notice period.
Try to read my posts: most of your queries are answered in them.
Have a nice evening
R
Hey there
Read my post from 15.05.2020 in this thread itself . See the requirements for neurosurgery at website of SIWF.
For duration of recognized hospitals providing weiterbildung/specialization on the second link in same post.
Have a nice evening
R
All right thank you, i'll look some more in these posts.
Now i have an overall clearer idea of what i have to do, if i have other doubts i'll write here again.
Have a nice day
Thank you drremobond007 for your answer and help.
I have taken time to read again your previous posts and messages. I understand that if I want to have a chance in this, I must focus on psychiatric hospitals in remote places especially. I have started sending emails for Unterassistenzstelle in psychiatry since yesterday again, and I hope for the best.
Meanwhile, in case you/anybody know(s) about specific remote areas where there may be shortage of doctors (especially in psyciatric clinics). it would be helpful to have you share it (as long as that is not against any of this forum's policies). I know there are websites for Healthcare jobs you have already provided (thanks for that) and I use them for my applications, but I am just thinking (I may be wrong tho) that being on the territory and in the system, you might sometimes have access to some other helpful information that is not out there.
Anyways, I thank you so much for your help and I wish you all the best in the rest of your journey Sirđ.
Thank you doropfiz , for your help đ
Hey there
Nothing to thanks..
Try to get âglobal location numberâ through mebeko registration & then start applying as assistenzarztIn, depending on skype interview: they could offer you assistenzarzt position/ initially unterassistentarztIn post.
Try to read again, most of the queries, Iâve already answered in detail... but here is also official link:
For all categorized hospitals according to branches, localities/cities within Switzerland, no. of seats for non EU.. try applying to cat. C or cat. D (indicating jobs meant for wards & these are mostly in remote areas).
Letâs know about your journey & process
Good night
R
Thank you so much for your time and help, drremobond007 and all the others.
You're literally a gift from heaven.đ
FAQs
Hey there
Unfortunately I would like to say that I have almost no idea about the processes in Germany. I can just say about Switzerland.
Officially, It is 48hrs / week including 3-6 hrs specialization lectures, if any. Unofficially it is different depending upon a lot of factors eg: different branches - surgical ones have more number of working hours but in Switzerland, labor laws are quite clear, if overworking hours are there then one gets compensatory off days or paid for overtime (equivalent to overworked hours), one could decide & inform HR/ Personal Departement for each month.
On call hrs are different in different branches. For example when I worked in Psychiatry, where on call colleagues have to step in ONLY if planned âdoctor on dutyâ gets sick. In surgery, one have to be in campus to assist, based on duty roaster etc.
Firstly, I havenât understood your point. Do you mean as part of specialization program or during medical studies (Bachelorâs-Masters)?
If as part of specialization then in CH is pretty clear mentioned for which one needs ER on www.fmh.ch Please read over there for the branch which interests you (in German & French)
Anesthesiology is pretty competitive branch to get into. Waiting could vary from 2-5years depending on your hospital &locality, Canton etc.
No problem.
You too. Have a pleasant evening
R
Hello. Thank you a lot for all of this information.
I am from Venezuela but also Portuguese (EU citizen). I'm a 4th year medical student in Venezuela and I would like to do my residency in Switzerland.
So it would be a non-EU degree from a EU citizen. Do you know if there are any benefits in finding a position as an assistenzarzt?
Also, if i validate my diploma in Spain first because it is easier for me (Without working in that country) and I start working as a resident in Switzerland for 3 years, can I then apply for the indirect recognition even if I didn't work in Spain and skip the Staatsexamen?. I'm currently learning german. Thank you, good look in everything.
Hello and thank you for all the info.
I wanted to ask if you could clarify what you said about the alternative pathways, namely the USMLE Steps.
I am a Lebanese (non EU) medical grad but I have compelted my steps exams (ecfmg certified), and I'm fluent in French. I know you don't know much about the French path but I wanted to ask if I could use my ECFMG certification to get my degree recognized. I tried emailing MEBKO but only thing they did was send me links to their websites which don't mention USMLE exams.
I'm honestly still a bit confused about the process, and would much appreciate more info. Say I was going to the German part of Switzerland, do I just work as a resident in a hospital then do the federal exam for recognition, then finally choose my specialty? If so, where does my ECFMG certification come into play?
Thanks!
Hey there
Your Venezuelan degree will be like any other non eu degrees. You need to follow long process.
ALTERNATIVE OPTION:
One my collague, an ophthalmologist from Mexico with Mexican degrees. She got herself registered in Spain (without living or working over there). Then she worked in different branches for 3yrs in Switzerland >> Then indirect recognition (no need of Staatsexamen). After recognition, she started working as ophthalmology again.
So, is possible
Hopefully it would help you.
Good night
FAQs
Good morning docmd
Unfortunately, I havenât met someone who has got his/her recognized degree through this pathway.
Working in French or German speaking area as Assistenzarzt/ resident doctor wonât be problem lifelong (or until law changes), as Switzerland has scarcity of doctors. Problem appears only: if either a non EU degree holders tries to find job (during first 1-2yrs) or wants to do a particular program. Then passing federal licensing exam/ Staatsexamen & eventually getting the non EU medical degree recognized, is mandatory . Passing USMLE steps could be one of the ways (honestly Iâve no detailed info about it). Try to write them in French, you will have better chance of getting right info. (English is generally not the best preferred medium of official communication in Switzerland).
General rule for all non EU degree holders in Switzerland:
For recognition:
learn German/ French upto B2 level >> apply for registration at MEBEKO for GL number >> apply for job >> work min. 3years as resident doctor/Assistenzarzt >> pass the 2 tier federal liscencing exam (or work for 5yrs>> pass just MCQs Part) >> apply for MEBEKO recognition.
Simultaneously, these 3 or 5yrs could be counted as part of your specialization, if they are fulfilling the requirements as main core part/ years or elective years of the specialization, depending on the branch which interests you (for knowing prerequisites of each branch; Read here - also in French: https://www.siwf.ch/weiterbildung/fa...hwerpunkte.cfm . For most of non EU fellow drs, psychiatry is like launching pad in Switzerland & they change laterally to different branches after1-2yrs.
Have a great weekend
R
You are amazing, thank you so so much! You have a great weekend too!
Hello there,
This was one of the best threads that I was looking for. Amazing information.
First of all I thank you for this.
Coming to my case, I am an Endodontist and Conservative Dentist (Masters in Dentistry) from India. I have come recently to Switzerland as my Husband (Non-EU) is on a B permit and in the process of learning my B2 German.
So I am a non-EU Dentist with non-EU Dental Degree. You have mentioned the below 10 points. Its very clear steps 1 till steps4. Once I work as a Assistant Dentist for 3 years, I will give the license exam and subsequently Dr. Med. Title? After this I will be a certified General Dentist. If I need to become an Endodontist I need to complete step6 till step9..Is my understanding right?
Step 1: Learning Swiss language up to B2 (below).
Step 2: Registering oneself into Swiss Med-Register & acquiring GL Number.
Step 3: Getting in contact with MEBEKO regarding Degree recognition.
Step 4: getting a job as Intern +/- Resident doctor.
to be followed:
Step 5: Organising visa and accommodation.
Step 6: Getting into Doktorarbeit/Promotion/ Thesis work for < Step 7: Preparing for Staatsexamen. Step 8: Working further to complete remaining specialisation years to become a specialist. Step 9: Preparing for Federal Specialist exam. Step 10: Continuing further medical education.
FAQs
Hey greattime
Thanks.
I would say thatâs good start: learning upto B2 is minimum requirement for medical/dental career in CH.
Firstly, these mentioned steps are for those who have completed âMBBS or equivalent medical graduationâ and MEBEKO (equivalent MCI in India) is concerned swiss authority. For dental graduates is SSO ( SocietaĚ Svizzera Odontoiatri/ Swiss dental association- equivalent Dental Council of India). You should write to them directly. As my sister is dentist too, I looked briefly into the process. After she lost interest due to multiple reasons (new language, to leave her well settled practice in India, migration with her 2yrs old daughter, husbandâs job in defense as mechanical engineer etc.)- I didnât followed further, what I know is:
After German B2 level, you wonât be fluent enough (assuming youâre beginner in this language), but you can start applying for vacant positions as intern or AssistenzzahnaĚrztin/ dental junior resident. You need to find a job at private clinic as intern or JR - theyâre easier than at hospitals attached to university. You can gradually practice your language and know dental practices/procedures in private settings as well as start having contacts with dental colleagues. You would also be expected to do some short dental certifications courses like fellowships - details I donât know. For more info:
https://www.sso.ch/sso/berufsbilder/zahnaerztin.html
For vacant positions: https://www.sso-jobs.ch/de/job-finden
(Iâm not sure about your Indian postgraduate degree in endodontics & conservative dentistry - if it is recognized here. Assuming like ânon EU medical postgraduate degreesâ, it would be merely considered as work experience & you might have to repeat your specialization. Plz confirm this with SSO).
My recommendations:
Step 1: pass & get a Goethe or Telc (general) German B2 certificate + complete German B2-C1 medical course at flying teachers (language institute in ZuĚrich). They introduce you to german medical terms & phrases especially meant for doctor-patient communication.
If not in ZH, finish general German course upto C1 accelerating your language proficiency.
Step 2: Contact SSO illustrating your current academic & professional situation. If possible try to contact them in German for quicker response.
Iâm not sure if there is also Staatsexamen/ liscencing exam for dentists. If yes like in Medicine - then after passing it, one attains âdent.practâ . Upon completion of doctoral thesis under a mentor (usually a dental professor attached to an university), it changes to âDr.dent.â . Thesis/doctorate work in itself is a completely different crazy academic process.
Anyway, welcome to Switzerland.
Initial 1-2yrs could be tough time for you. But itâs worth trying & youâll survive it easily. I wish you all the very best for your new professional pursuits & aspirations.
Do let me know, once you know any further procedures/details clearly.
Have a great day
R