Paramedic info

I'm not sure if he's still in Saudi, but this guy is a wealth of information. 

Would be worth your while to drop him a line.

Oh, and best of luck

depends which hospital
i suggest National Guard Health Affairs, King Faisal Specials or King Fahd or most of the JCI acredited hospital. These are great hospitals like any you would find in the US. Most of them have their protocols in place and you would definitely enjoy emergency medicine in KSA. In my institute there are about 4 disaster drills which may be internal or external disasters. the army and hospital conduct huge drills which really preparees u well.

Dampier wrote:

I am a 10 year paramedic in one of the busiest EMS systems in California. I have experience in emergency scene calls, strike team activities and clinical education. I am considering seeking employment in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and would be very interested in communicating with paramedics, nurses and other allied health care workers who are working and living there; how they like the atmosphere, job, protocols, equipment, etc.

Thanks in advance for any information,

A.D.

Hello Dampier;

There are a couple of routes you can go if you want to work in KSA as a Paramedic.  The first route is to check out the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA).  They report to the Ministry of Health and conduct EMS in the country.  You can find their website pretty easily through Google, Yahoo or some other search engine and type in the name.  I know a couple of medics who are working for them now and they say it's the place to be if you want to do a lot of trauma. They run some medical calls but most Saudi's will load up their sick relative and drive them to the local ER.  The EMS runs mostly (80%) on motor vehicle accidents or what they call road traffic accidents (RTA's).As a medic you will probably work in a chase vehicle that is equipped with ALS equipment that meets up with an ambulance staffed by a driver (usually a local)and an EMT (can be from anywhere).I'm not sure about the pay but what I hear it runs between $60,000 to $80,000 a year depending upon experience.  It is tax free.  They usually pay for your housing and your transport to and from the states.  There is more info on their website.  The other route is to work directly for one of the hospitals.  Not all of them but usually the largest ones have paramedics who work in the ER and respond to calls in housing areas (compounds) that have some affiliation with the hospital. You can usually get more info on the hospitals by searching the hopsitals in KSA.  You can also do a search for paramedic jobs in Saudi Arabia and you will get quite a few hits. Anothere company you can check out is ARAMCO.  It is a large company here in KSA owned by the Saudi Government but has a lot of westerners and they have a big housing area that they support with their own EMS service.  I believe they have some positions open as well. I have been in KSA for a few weeks and I am a flight medical supervisor with the country's Civil Defense Services and report directly to the ministry of the interior.   Curently we are not hiring but may be in the future.  I hope this answers some of your questions and give me a shout if you have any other questions or need some help.

Eldon

Thanks for the replies from Alliecat, imraan007 and etaylor58; great information. It sounds like a challenging and fast-paced environment. I am curious about life inside a western compound, or a mixed compound for my wife and young kids? I've read it is safe and enjoyable and the schools are top-notch. What about things like music, alcohol and women in swimsuits? Are these things that would be accepted inside a compound? Do expats travel outside of the compounds much for shopping or local travel and sight-seeing?

Thanks for the information,

D

If you want the things you mentioned, it needs to be a WESTERN compound.  I live in a mixed 'company' compound and it's somewhat akin to a prison

I've heard other people who live in mixed compounds (not company like I do but ones they pay for) complain about the restrictions there due to tenants who are 'offended' very easily.

And of course you can leave the compound to go shopping--most people do.  Travel and local sightseeing, sure, no problem.  But, of course, exercise common sense at all times.

Best of luck.

PS. were you able to get hold of Travis?

Dampier wrote:

Thanks for the replies from Alliecat, imraan007 and etaylor58; great information. It sounds like a challenging and fast-paced environment. I am curious about life inside a western compound, or a mixed compound for my wife and young kids? I've read it is safe and enjoyable and the schools are top-notch. What about things like music, alcohol and women in swimsuits? Are these things that would be accepted inside a compound? Do expats travel outside of the compounds much for shopping or local travel and sight-seeing?

Thanks for the information,

D

I guess it just depends on which compound your in. I live in the FAL compund which is located on the airport highway just North East of the main part of the city.  There is quite a mixture of people and most of them I have met are friendly.  There seem to be quite more from Lebanon in this compoound and they like to get together and have coffee and smoke thier little pots (I can't remember what they are called). My wife and son are not here yet but there are a lot of wives and kids.  The security is fairly tight form whet I have seen.  They check vehicles coming and going and if you don't have a compund sticker your car doesn't get in.  If you have a guest you have to meet them at the gate and walk them in unless they have been approved through the administration office. I am currently enrolling my son in the British school as I've heard it's better of the three (American, British and German). Little more expensive but I've heard they are worth the price. Everything in the compund is basically geared toward the Western or European style.  They still do not allow alcohol but that doesn't mean it's not here (if you know what I mean). Outside the compound women do have to wear the Ababa (spelling again) over their clothes but their not as strict with Westerners as they are Saudi's or other Arabic women. I've seen them in the malls and around town without the scarf over their head and not have any problems. As long as you show them some respect they will usually not hassle you.  I've seen men wearing just about everything you would see them wear in the states.Even Aranbic men wear regular clothing but their pants and shirts are usually long sleeved.  Bathing suits are a big no no outside the compund. Our compund has two outoor pools and a large indoor pool and people wear regular swimming suits. Most of your shopping is done in town.  Our compund has a small convience store which usually has a lot of stuff you may need but if you want to get out the shopping malls are th eplace to go.  The malls here are pretty big and usually have a lot of different things to include a family area where kids can play and adults visit and eat.  There is a lot to do here if you go out and look for it. I hear people complain that there is nothing to do here but everyt time I go outside the compound I find something interesting.  There are no movie theatres or bars but there are a lot of parks and other interesting sites.  You can go camping or four wheeling in the desert, etc. Bahrain is about three hours drive away.  I flew there last weekend and they are very westernized to include restaurants, alcohol, food, etc.  So if you feel like you need to get away for a weekend Bahrain is a short drive away.  There's also Dubai which I haven't had a chance to go to yet but I hear thatthey are the Las Vegas of the desert. I know this is long but trying to help answer your questions.  I've found this blog to be quite useful in finding out info as there are a lot of nice people who have been here longer than I have and can help you with almost any question you have.

Eldon

Hey,
I know the last post was dated back a few months but I was hoping for a bit of help. I'm an Irish guy who trained in America as a Paramedic then more recently as a Critical Care and Flight medic. I've been working in Ireland for the past couple of years on the ground. I was looking to try and work in Saudi with the Saudi Red Crescent. However I couldn't find any websites where I could apply online. Just wondering if anyone has a contact there or know anyone I could talk to that could point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Ger

gerward wrote:

Hey,
I know the last post was dated back a few months but I was hoping for a bit of help. I'm an Irish guy who trained in America as a Paramedic then more recently as a Critical Care and Flight medic. I've been working in Ireland for the past couple of years on the ground. I was looking to try and work in Saudi with the Saudi Red Crescent. However I couldn't find any websites where I could apply online. Just wondering if anyone has a contact there or know anyone I could talk to that could point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Ger

Sent U a  message

hi

I am a Paramedic in the UK interested in working for the red crescent.  i was reading your blog earlier and was wondering if you had obtained details of a contact within the red crescent. IF so i would appreciate if you could share some information with me regards

Hello khano -> Just to note that this thread is a bit old.

Thank you,
Aurélie