The Philippines is known for having excellent, highly skilled nurses that practice their profession both inside and outside the country. With the advanced healthcare system in Taiwan, it’s not surprising that many Filipino nurses decide to apply for jobs in this country!
Indeed, nursing is one of the top in-demand jobs in Taiwan. Due to the aging population and continuous need for health services, we can expect a steady demand for nurses, doctors, specialists, caregivers, and other professionals in the healthcare sector.
Guide to Applying for Work as a Nurse in Taiwan
For nurses in the Philippines, the healthcare sector in Taiwan offers a promising career opportunity. Here’s what you need to know about the nursing profession in the country, along with the job description, qualifications, requirements, and benefits involved:
Job Description
Just like in the Philippines, nurses in Taiwan may be classified into several job types. First, there are Nursing Aides or Caregivers, who provide basic care to patients housed in homes for the elderly. They assist patients with daily activities such as feeding, bathing, etc.
Secondly, there are Registered Nurses who are typically assigned in hospitals. They are usually tasked with monitoring patients’ vital signs and administering medications. Finally, there are Specialized Nurses, who are certified to carry out tasks like assisting during surgeries and other medical procedures.
In any case, regardless of their job type, all nurses should be able to carry out these tasks:
- Coordinating with doctors and other healthcare professionals in the treatment of patients;
- Monitoring patients’ treatment plans and maintaining records;
- Managing and operating basic medical equipment; and
- Maintaining a clean and safe environment in medical facilities.
Salary and Benefits
The monthly salary of nurses in Taiwan typically ranges between PHP 40,000 and PHP 60,000, depending on their skills, and experience. It also depends on the employer; for instance, a quick search online shows that the basic salary of experienced Nursing graduates is around PHP 49,000 to PHP 51,000 in nursing homes.
Aside from a monthly salary, nurses can also expect to receive other benefits, including overtime pay, health insurance, housing allowance, transportation allowance, annual leave, and bonuses.
Qualifications
To be eligible for a nursing job in Taiwan, applicants generally need to have the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a reputable institution;
- Valid license from the Philippines’ Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);
- At least 2 years of experience in a healthcare setting;
- Proficiency in spoken and written English;
- Good interpersonal and communication skills;
- Good understanding of medical terms, procedures, and practices;
- Physically and emotionally able to meet the demands of the job;
- Basic computer skills for managing health records; and
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including night shifts, weekends and holidays.
Additionally, some employer and recruitment agencies look for specific qualifications such as gender and physical traits. For example, there are companies that prefer female applicants, while others accept both male and female nurses. Based on our research, there are employers who cite height requirements (at least 155 to 160 cm), weight requirements (85 kg below), no tattoos, etc.
Requirements
Those who are planning to apply for a nursing job in Taiwan must prepare these documents:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure);
- Employer Contract signed by employer and employee;
- Work Visa issued by the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO);
- Medical Certificate (after health exam in an accredited clinic);
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC);
- Valid License from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);
- School Diploma and Transcript of Records (TOR);
- Certificate from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) (if applicable);
- Certificate from Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS);
- Clearance from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);
- Certificates from health-related training and seminars; and
- Proof of active memberships with Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and Social Security System (SSS).
Furthermore, hiring agencies and employers may require additional documents, such as:
- Valid government-issued ID (e.g. National ID, Voter’s ID, Pag-IBIG ID, TIN ID, etc.);
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
- PSA Marriage Certificate (for married female applicants); and
- PSA Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) (for single female applicants).
Procedure
Similar to other overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the application and hiring process for nurses involve the following steps:
Find a Job and Recruitment Agency
Finding a credible and reputable hiring agency is essential. They are the ones who coordinate in behalf of overseas employers, looking for suitable candidates for various jobs. These agencies usually post job vacancies on their official social media accounts and websites, so be sure to check them out!
When dealing with a recruitment agency, don’t forget to check and verify if they are legitimate — with valid personnel, office, and contact information. Make sure that they are duly accredited by government agencies, and browse client reviews for confirmation.
Prepare Necessary Documents
Of course, preparing documents like your passport, educational records, government-issued IDs, and other requirements us part of the process. These will be checked and verified by the recruitment agency before being sent to the employer in Taiwan.
Attend Job Interviews
Likewise, job interviews are an essential part of the application. This enables the company to know more about you, and vice versa. Be sure to dress appropriately and to rehearse your answers to possible questions.
In the event that you get hired, you’ll be asked to sign a job contract, to be authenticated by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), which is based in Taiwan.
Get a Work Permit and Visa
Your employer will be the one to apply for a work permit — and eventually your work visa and Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) — in Taiwan. Other than getting your documents checked, you will also undergo a medical test as part of the visa application process. These tests are usually conducted in hospitals that are recognized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).
Tips and Reminders
If you are truly keen on landing a job in Taiwan, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:
- Go to work on time. Punctuality is a highly valued trait here, so don’t make a habit of arriving late for work or being absent!
- Be respectful. Politeness and respect is a must, especially when dealing with your superiors at work.
- Be a team player. Strive to get along well with your colleagues and other healthcare professionals at all times.
- Be patient-centered. As a healthcare professional, the well-being and safety of your patient is your main priority!
- Learn the local language. You don’t have to be fluent in Mandarin, but knowing some basic greetings and phrases will certainly go a long way!
- Learn the local culture. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of Taiwanese culture can help you adapt better in the workplace, and also when interacting with the locals.
- Learn continuously. From time to time, you will need to undergo training about the latest medical practices. So always be prepared to learn new things!
With the steady demand for nurses in Taiwan, Filipino nurses are encouraged to apply for jobs in this country. The fact that it is so close to the Philippines makes it an ideal place to work in!
Meanwhile, did you know that Taiwan’s healthcare industry is among the best in the world? Check out this list of the country’s top hospitals, to learn more about why they’re known internationally!