 GENERAL
INFORMATION
The Shaikh Khalifa Medical Center (SKMC) is a modern, acute care
institution that opened in late February 2000. Services are provided
through an in-patient facility and a large, out-patient specialty
clinic. The facility's mandate is to provide secondary and tertiary
care to the citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
SKMC is under the direction of the Office of His Excellency Sheikh
Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who oversees a body established by the
government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to guide improvement in health
services within the Emirate. In the recent past, citizens of the
UAE often traveled out of country to the UK or the USA for health
care. However, with the opening of SKMC, more services and complex
care can be provided within the country.
Staff members are recruited internationally. A large proportion
of senior staff members come from Canada and other Western nations
such as the US, UK, Australia and South Africa. Other countries
well represented among our staff include the Philippines, India,
and a variety of Middle Eastern nations.
In January 2002, SKMC underwent a process of hospital accreditation.
The Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) provided
the survey. The standards to measure the care provided within SKMC
are the same as those used by the CCHSA to accredit similar Canadian
hospitals. We are proud of the fact that SKMC received a three year
accreditation award - the highest award given to hospitals.
PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES
SKMC is an acute care hospital with 223 beds presently in operation.
Next door to the inpatient facility is a large, multi-disciplinary
outpatient clinic, with the primary purpose to provide specialist
consultations on a referral basis and to allow ongoing care. Emergency
services are provided through a busy department, efficiently designed
and staffed by consultants in Emergency Medicine. The equipment
is modern and up-to-date and comparable to that of most North American
facilities.
Recently, programs in Primary Care (i.e., family practice) and
Home Care were initiated on a trial basis.
The Major Departments at SKMC include:
- Admissions/Registration Information Technology
- Anesthesia Internal Audit
- Biomedical Engineering Laboratory Medicine
- Cardio-Respiratory Materials Management
- Clinical Dietetics Medical Records
- Communications Medicine (and its subspecialties)
- Central Sterile Supply Outpatient Clinic
- Education Services Nursing
- Emergency Medicine Pediatrics
- Environmental Health Pharmacy
- Facilities Management Public Relations
- Finance Purchasing
- Housekeeping Radiology
- Human Resources Rehabilitation
- Intensive Care Security
- Surgery (and its subspecialties)
With in these departments a wide variety of patient services and
programs are offered. If you have a field of specialty, ask questions
of your recruiter to ensure that the same specialty is practiced
at SKMC.
Because the need for staff varies in certain departments (due to
vacancies, annual leave, etc.) new staff may need to be reassigned
upon arrival. For example; it may be necessary to reassign a nurse
who was arriving to work on a medical unit, and place the nurse
in the Outpatient Clinic. Every attempt is made to minimize the
need for reassignment and to maximize the match between staff members'
skills and current vacancies.
WORK
LIFE
SKMC is a relatively new organization. Therefore, as a "start
up", it is undergoing a great deal of growth and change. It
is a dynamic atmosphere and for people who come here from very well
established organizations, this work environment can be challenging.
SKMC has a large, multi-cultural workforce with varying levels
of responsibility and therefore, varying levels of compensation
for positions within the organization. This multi-level staffing
system, where compensation is based on one's country of origin is
not uncommon in the Middle East. Staff members try to foster harmony
in the workplace, among and between the different cultures and backgrounds
of SKMC employees.
With a diverse workforce that has different needs, it is often
difficult to take a customized approach to best meet those needs.
Therefore, in considering whether employment at SKMC is attractive,
we encourage you to make up a list of what is most important to
you (i.e., the characteristics of a work place and the specific
job that you most enjoy).
DRESS
CODE
In recognition of the fact that we work and live in a Muslim country,
staff members are asked to adapt to the cultural norms and values
of the country. This includes the wearing of appropriate apparel
in the workplace.
Male Staff Members
- No blue jeans
- No sandals
- No shorts
- If not in uniform, a shirt and tie are to be worn at all times.
Female Staff Members
- No blue jeans
- Business slacks are acceptable
- Skirts at mid knee length
- Sleeves must be at elbow length (mid elbow)
- Conservative tops
- No T-shirts
- Dress Sandals only
- No shorts
The SKMC hospital dress code is applicable at all times (even when
you are off duty and chose to come to the hospital). It also applies
to visitors that may accompany you or meet you at the hospital.
For those staff that are required to wear a uniform, these are provided
and laundered free of charge.
HOUSING
FOR SKMC EMPLOYEES
Please note: Employees on a single status contract will
be in shared accommodations with other SKMC employees of the same
sex.
All SKMC housing is furnished with essential articles. These items
might not be to every person's liking or unique tastes, but are
certainly adequate. The list below provides a brief description
of the furniture, appliances and equipment in the SKMC apartments:
- Television Cutlery
- Refrigerator Dishes & Glasses
- Gas Stove Pots & Pans
- Washer & Dryer Kettle
- Sofa & Chairs Toaster
When you arrive, a "Welcome pack" with a few essential
items (e.g., toilet paper, tea, juice, fruit, etc.) will be left
for you in the apartment. There are nearby stores where you can
get additional supplies in the next day or so.
Corniche Towers
This is the complex where the Category I & II staff has their
accommodations. Apartments are 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Apartments are
allocated on the basis of the employee's contract (i.e. married
or single) and the level of their position (e.g. Manager, Director,
etc.). Those on single status contract will most likely be in a
shared 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. The layout and furnishings of the
apartments are acceptable to most staff. Depending on the floor
the apartment is on, there are varying levels of day light.
Corniche Towers comprises four individual apartment buildings located
between 32nd Street and 30th Street, about ½ a block from
the Corniche (a walkway that stretches for several kilometers along
the water). The four apartment blocks each have 20 stories. There
is a security guard in each block (on a 24 hour basis). A gym with
fitness equipment is located in Block B. There are shops, bakeries
and cafes nearby as well.
The Al Amri Building
This is the complex where SKMC's Category III staff members are
accommodated. It is located along Old Airport Road. The building
is a single complex of 15-stories. All flats consist of well furnished
3 bedroom/3-bathroom apartments that are shared between 6 people.
Security is provided on a 24-hour basis. Several small grocery stores
can be found nearby, one of which is located right, beside the building.
It has a variety of goods that can be ordered by phone and delivered
to the building.
The Defence Road Building
This is the complex where SKMC's other category III staff are accommodated.
It is located very close to Al Wehda Playground. This single, 15-story
building and all flats consist of well furnished 2 bedroom/2-bathroom
apartments that are shared between 2 people. Security is provided
on a 24-hour basis. Around this building are several newly opened
shops that sell a variety of goods. As well, nearby there are medical
centers and a mosque. Groceries (including phone cards) can be home
delivered via telephone in a matter of minutes.
UTILITIES
Employees in all SKMC provided housing complexes are responsible
for paying utilities (gas, electricity, water, cable for TV), which
are deducted from their monthly pay cheque. These amounts are reasonable
and are calculated on the basis of the type of apartment (one bedroom,
multiple bedrooms) and the type of accommodation (shared accommodation
versus single accommodation).
Telephone and computer services
Each SKMC apartment is provided with one phone line that is in
the name of Inter-Health Canada Limited. This phone line allows
incoming calls and outgoing local calls. If an additional phone
line is required or if the employee wishes to get a phone line that
will allow them to make long distance calls, it is the responsibility
of the employee to arrange and pay for this through the local telephone
company, Etisalat.
To make long distance calls you can use a "phone card' which
can be widely purchased throughout the city (for 30 AED). The phone
card lasts a specific length of time, depending on which part of
the world you are calling and the day/time of the week. Unfortunately,
there is no warning to indicate that time is up on your phone card,
so you can be cut off in mid sentence when talking to
friends, and family. In addition to phone cards, employee can also
look into purchasing a mobile phone and arranging to make long distance
calls on that phone.
For those staff members that have arrived from Canada, there is
a service through Bell Canada called Canada World. It allows you
to call by using a Bell Calling Card, with long distance calls
that will be invoiced to your credit card. For more information
on Canada World you can check the following link.
A similar type of long distance arrangement may exist with telephone
companies in your country or origin. It might be wise to investigate
before coming to Abu Dhabi.
Internet services can also be arranged for people with a home computer.
The local phone company, Etisalat, also handles these. There is
a one-time hook up fee and then a monthly fee based on the amount
of Internet time used.
YOUR
COORDINATES
There is no home delivery of mail in Abu Dhabi. The most reliable
and accessible place to get your mail (due to the hours of operation)
is the SKMC mailroom. All employee mail comes in to the SKMC mailroom
and is sorted either by department or by employee name. The mailroom
also receives parcels, courier and faxes for SKMC staff members.
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