 GENERAL
INFORMATION
The cardiac services of the Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital began
in 1979. Since then it's been an uninterrupted growth. In July 1992,
these cardiac services were given a separate identity by creating
the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center as an independently functioning
institution of the medical Services Department of the Saudi Ministry
of Defense.
Today, the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center provides a major portion
of the cardiac services for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through
a full range of diagnostic and management facilities for patients
ranging in age from the neonate to the elderly. The institution
has an excellent reputation, both in the Middle East and West for
the quality of patient care provided, and for the research papers
published in most reputable journals. In 1986 the cardiac transplant
program started.
The staff of the PSCC come from many parts of the world.
Employment contracts are for two years and often renewable.
The standard work week is 44 hours. The number of hours in a shift
vary somewhat from department to department but generally do not
exceed 8 hours a day and 4 hours Thursday. The standard work week
is Saturday through Wednesday.
LOCATION
AND SIZE
The PSCC considered one of the most advanced cardiac centers in
the Middle East. It is located in the heart of Riyadh. At a walking
distance from several shopping areas and fancy restaurants. Approximately
20 kilometers from the city center and easily accessible to the
general population as well as to accident victims. PSCC sharing
grounds and facilities with a 655 bed acute care teaching hospital,
The Military hospital in Riyadh.
The services of the Center are at a high level of professional
standards. PSCC administration requires that the quality of services
rendered and the general operating standards of the center to meet
the United States Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health
Care Organizations (JCAHO) standards.
In addition to providing excellent care for patients, the PSCC
trains appropriately educated Saudi nationals for administrative,
professional and technical positions. There are continuing education
programs and specific training programs for Saudi Nationals in the
Technologies associated with cardiology, with a unique "off campus"
program for Associate Science Degree studies from Loma Linda University
for Respiratory Therapists graduates. A new in service program to
train perfusionists is currently under establishing.
MEDICAL SERVICES
A four story 156 bed, purpose-built Cardiac Center, building for
adult paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery has just been completed.
Currently, the PSCC providing services through utilizing around
65 beds in the existing 600 bed Armed Forces Hospital Services including
ICU AND CCU for cardiac patients.
The PSCC has four clinical departments: Adult Cardiology, Paediatric
Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Anaesthesia.
The Nursing Service has its own management structure under the Director
of Nursing.
On the other hand, Cardiac Technicians, Respiratory Therapists,
Anaesthetic Technicians, Perfusion Technicians and Catheter Laboratory
Radiographers function under their own Superintendent in charge.
Annual workload figures reflect the level of activity for the
center: Currently there are around 1,1000 cardiac surgical procedures,
1,800 adult & 859 paediatric cardiac catheter procedures and a total
of over 10,000 echocardiography examinations.
RECREATION SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES
The Department of Recreational Services offers recreation and
leisure opportunities to a wide range of interests and age groups.
Facilities for recreation are spread across a large area, ranging
from the "flagship" multipurpose recreation center at the Riyadh
Armed Forces Hospital to further multipurpose sport leisure facilities
attached to some of the accommodation sites.
There is something for everyone, and the Department provides access
for beginners and the more advanced alike.
In addition to "in-house" events, the department arranges for
other activities taking place in and around Riyadh. Riyadh itself
is an interesting, bustling city. There are shopping centers and
malls offering a good selection of goods at very affordable prices.
Hotels in Riyadh offer excellence in both services and in their
first-class restaurants, most of which hold outdoor barbecues or
brunch on Fridays.
TRANSPORTATION
Shuttle buses operate regularly at intervals between housing projects
and the Center
There are several shopping buses to malls and supermarkets each
day.
School children are transported to and from school each day.
Limousine service is available to places that can not be reached
otherwise. This service is at a very low cost per kilometer and
has cars/mini buses available for individual employees.
HOUSING
Some photos of typical housing
Housing is provided for internationally contracted employees and
their authorized dependents, according to employee's status, grade
level and number of children.
The categories are:
- Senior Level Housing
Married Housing
Single Housing
Shared Housing
- Services: Water, electricity, gas and local telephone services
are provided at no charge. Long distance and international calls
(which are done through the operator) are charged.
- Furnishings: On arrival at your accommodation you will find
a Housing Inventory Form to be completed and returned to Housing
Department. In addition, you will find a food package and set
of cutlery and plates for your own use.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed except for fish, small birds in cages
or one cat per housing unit. Residents who have pets will be held
responsible for any and all damages which may occur to housing
unit.
- Female accommodation:
4-5 minutes from hospital
New, very spacious and clean
3 sharing
Own bedroom
Swimming pool
Shared kitchen and bathroom facilities (2.5 bathrooms)
Fully furnished apart from television/video/music center but these
can be purchased at a very good price.
Bed linen provided
- Male accommodation:
Approximately 10 minutes walk from hospital
2-3 sharing
No recreational facilities
Reasonable standard
Fully furnished apart from television/video/music center but these
can be purchased at a very good price
- Married accommodation:
Usually Building 12 which is in Olaya Road (best shopping street
in Riyadh) 5-10 minutes drive from hospital
Bed linen provided
Fully furnished apart from television/video/music center but these
can be purchased at a very good price
CONTRACT AND BENEFIT INFORMATION
- Contract, one year and often renewable.
- Accompanied or unaccompanied depending on position's grade.
All nursing positions are unaccompanied status.
- Air transport, economy class, from point-of-hire to Riyadh for
initial mobilization and air transport from Riyadh to point-of-hire
at end of contract.
- End of contract entitlements consisting of one month salary
for each year worked.
- Ticketing/Travel Allowance, a return ticket to point-of-hire-
after each 6 months worked. However, after the initial 6 months,
the travel allowance can be used up to 3 months in advance. (This
travel allowance can be used to travel around the world).
- Vacation, 4 weeks after each 26 weeks worked. (A total of 7
weeks paid vacation per year).
- Housing, including utilities, appliances, linens, etc, provided.
- Uniforms provided.
- Transportation, from hospital to housing and back and daily
shopping trips provided.
- Medical care and emergency dental care normally provided at
the hospital.
- Access to subsidized meals in Hospital project cafeterias.
- Emergency Leave, available.
- Salary paid in local currency by end of each Gregorian month.
- This income is take home pay since there are no taxes in Saudi
Arabia.
For Canadian tax you need to establish a "Non-Resident Status".
To qualify, generally, you should be leaving with the intention
of being away for 2 years during which you need to sever primary
ties with Canada. Please, contact Revenue Canada for further tax
information. There is a form (Determination of Residency Status
(Leaving Canada)) you may want to complete to know your residency
status for Canadian tax purposes before you leave to Saudi Arabia.
Call 1-800-267-5177.
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