Working in Qatar
- Thread starter DrankTheKoolaid
- Start date
WailingBanshees
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I Didn't, They said they found me through Bayt.com, i got dispatch in my profile.
dutemplar
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They are a bit slow and very thorough with credentialing. The call-center is transitioning from using trained Ambulance Paramedics (EMT-Is) in the role to a more EMD training/certification based system.
Expect tweaks, upgrades, and continued recruiting for the next 3 years.
WailingBanshees
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Sweet, Thanks for the heads up!
SandpitMedic
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Still there bud? Hope you’re doing well.
dutemplar
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Still here with the wife (wasn't seeing that coming way back when I first hopped in this thread way back when!) and looking at staying through the World Cup still. Open to options, buuuuut they have to be good ones. Working, saving, investing, and of course vacationing. Waiting for next month's anniversary trip to Zanzibar and Advanced Open Water with Spanish Dancer Divers.
Now, in material terms of the thread, we've been bringing SAs on here and there. Haven't seen any new recruiting postings in a while. I've known a few people to apply direct but there hasn't seem to be any positive response. Some reorganization and continued system tweaks as we slowly expand and work on core improvements to get ready for the festivities.
The new tax, ugh, suuuuuuuucks. A bit of depression. QDC was already horribly overpriced but affordable.. A surprise 100% tax on everything there knocked all the expat morale for a loop for sure.
Otherwise SSDD, sup? Still Ukraine?
TheHorsman
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Hey all,
New to the forum and created the account to find out more about Qatar and the working conditions there.
I have a wife and daughter that would likely join me there, my wife is a French teacher not sure if there would be employment opportunities for her as well during the 3 year contract.
Any tips would be welcome from people who have taken similar contracts as the “Dos and don’ts”
Thanks!
New to the forum and created the account to find out more about Qatar and the working conditions there.
I have a wife and daughter that would likely join me there, my wife is a French teacher not sure if there would be employment opportunities for her as well during the 3 year contract.
Any tips would be welcome from people who have taken similar contracts as the “Dos and don’ts”
Thanks!
dutemplar
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Good morning,
Overall life is decent. Working conditions are humane. The summers are brutal. Winters are cool and enjoyable. Vacation time accumulates and we all enjoy a worldwide travel that was incomprehensible working back home. Actually, the wife and I just got back from celebrating our wedding anniversary in Zanzibar, and November we spent my birthday in Thailand. That's normal for the CCPs here (while still saving towards retirement. The hard core savers, not as much but some.)
As before in the threads, the contract is 16x12hr shifts per month (unless you go to management and the Sunday-Thursday workweek.) The pay scale isn't bad, although there are a lot more Grade 112s than before so it isn't as "elite" to the Corporation as it once was, the pay has been stagnant for a few years now, no raises for 4 years and my Magic 8-Ball says "Unlikely" for this year. Short months, you get extra shifts (which they try to put in the quarterly continuing education modules, etc...) but it IS 16 shifts a month, merely built around the "two days, two nights, four off" rotation matrix. Overtime is still available most months. There is still a question about how, or how badly the South Africans will be impacted by their national tax laws changing and could dramatically affect their willingness to work overseas.
Grade 112 is still decent, fairly respectable. Prices and taxes however are slowly going up with a 100% "sin" tax on unhealthy and Western lifestyles. A general 5% VAT coming (excluding normal food, clothing, medicines... we think.) Plus a few automatic toll gates going up to go in service on the major roads in the next few years. Granted, too many people here do drive so the roads are a bit congested... it's considered an incentive to use that brand new- rail/ subway system. General healthcare is decent, sometimes very slow for routine and followup apointments and planned non-emergency procedures (unless you go to a private hospital.)
The EMS system is being overhauled at the moment with a lot of tweaks. EMS hates change. Dinosaurs hate change. I'm actually pretty excited and heartily sold on the system revamp. That, and it IS a dynamic culture. American, British, South African are predominant in the CCP role. APs are more varied and include Moroccan, Tunisian, Jordanian, Somali, Indian, and several others I'm sure.
Call volume is slowly growing, hence one of the reasons for change and growth. Primary recruiting is for Charlie, the On-The-Road CCP position. From there, you can branch out to various areas (Interfacility Transfers, International Transfers, LifeFlight helicopter, National Command Center, Training, Disaster/ Major Incident, Management).
Note, taking a contract now, once all the credentialing is done and you physically arrive, would have you as experienced (here) and in a growing system... and physically here for the World Cup in 2022. Just sayin... I do expect a bit of streamlining after the World Cup and that is a target date for several of us to be planning to leaving after. I do know a few people who's career highlights included an Olympics.
This is a world class system, and probably one of the highest functioning EMS systems in the world. Plus one of the more international and dynamic ones. It's also one driven by improvement, and subscribes to Evidence Based Medicine with annual updates (and occasional off-time inclusions if the evidence is convincing enough.) Evidence from around the world... we have a blended mix of American, European, and South African medications. I do have to say, the American EMS toys are still the coolest though.
As far as spouses, heck.. I met mine here. Technically, if you all convert to the local religion, you could meet 3 more here too!
From my co-workers, the nutshell version: You come here, start working, get your formal residency permit. You get the paperwork to sponsor your family. You let housing know when they're coming, they argue nothing is available, you bring them here anyways and demand housing provide accommodations NOW. You immediately get a place. Might not be the nicest place, but you get a place. Probably a 2 bedroom apartment in a Hamad housing building, based upon your pay grade. This is the funny part. You will have to give your wife a formal and signed No-Objection Letter (in Arabic) to her taking a job here. Some wives choke a little about that part... Everywhere knows this, the jobs will provide a letter for you to sign usually. Credentialing and verification are things here... so if she plans to teach here, it is under your sponsorship, and she will need to go ahead and get Apostilled copies of her degree, and teaching license/ credential at least, in addition to criminal background check. National Apostille and a stamp by the Qatar embassy there. Side note, international criminal background checks here "expire" after 6 months... wouldn't do that until pending to leave. There are quite a few International schools. Including at least two French schools (but most of the staff are French French), a few British and American schools, and others. There are definitely a few spots for language teachers, but you would have to do some research & I would recommend contacting them about how they would go about on-boarding someone and what paperwork was needed if spots were available. Most places would be happy to give guidance. I don't have any kids (that I know of), can't say directly about the daughter. A few coworkers do tend to leave here as the daughters hit the mid to upper teens... local socialization and personal development versus "home" socialization and development. Most of the families seem to have loved the chance for their kids to grow in an international venue and develop in ways they couldn't back home with a far broader set of experiences and were/ are very happy for their 3-6 years here.
DO READ THE CONTRACT. Carefully. Then realize it's a recruiting contract and may not 100% reflect the legal one you sign when you get here. Dot your i's, cross your t's in doing paperwork. Do check on your bank, retirement and investment accounts on international wire transfers. Do plan on on "what happens if they delay me going after I resign my job and expect to receive tickets 3-5 days before I fly... like happened to us way back when (note, this hasn't been an issue for a while now, but for us back in 2014-2015 this was horrible.) Do plan on "what happens if oil prices crash badly." Do check your passport, make sure it has time and empty pages. Do consider your long-term plan. Are you "three and done," and what is your "enjoy life" versus "saving to go home" balance. Do consider your home and possessions there. Long-term storage fees are horrible for what in a few years are aging nicknacks and dusty memories, and you want to go shopping to replace it all anyways. After arrival, redo your will to local legal standards juuuust in case. Do consider brushing up on polite arabic and social customs for the area. Do recheck your packing list when you do come, you don't need as much as you do need, 1-2 light momentos which can be easily carried out of here as well. Do let me know when you're coming, I'll Amazon a few small items.. j/k. Maybe. Do arrive with $2000 US. Improvements have been made, you'll usually get your first pay with the normal end-of-the month, but depending on when you arrive that's the 28th of next month...
I've made three excellent choices in my life. One was gong to A&S, and one was coming here, and I have to say one was the wifey. In each of those cases, my entire world changed.
Anything specific, PM away bro.
Overall life is decent. Working conditions are humane. The summers are brutal. Winters are cool and enjoyable. Vacation time accumulates and we all enjoy a worldwide travel that was incomprehensible working back home. Actually, the wife and I just got back from celebrating our wedding anniversary in Zanzibar, and November we spent my birthday in Thailand. That's normal for the CCPs here (while still saving towards retirement. The hard core savers, not as much but some.)
As before in the threads, the contract is 16x12hr shifts per month (unless you go to management and the Sunday-Thursday workweek.) The pay scale isn't bad, although there are a lot more Grade 112s than before so it isn't as "elite" to the Corporation as it once was, the pay has been stagnant for a few years now, no raises for 4 years and my Magic 8-Ball says "Unlikely" for this year. Short months, you get extra shifts (which they try to put in the quarterly continuing education modules, etc...) but it IS 16 shifts a month, merely built around the "two days, two nights, four off" rotation matrix. Overtime is still available most months. There is still a question about how, or how badly the South Africans will be impacted by their national tax laws changing and could dramatically affect their willingness to work overseas.
Grade 112 is still decent, fairly respectable. Prices and taxes however are slowly going up with a 100% "sin" tax on unhealthy and Western lifestyles. A general 5% VAT coming (excluding normal food, clothing, medicines... we think.) Plus a few automatic toll gates going up to go in service on the major roads in the next few years. Granted, too many people here do drive so the roads are a bit congested... it's considered an incentive to use that brand new- rail/ subway system. General healthcare is decent, sometimes very slow for routine and followup apointments and planned non-emergency procedures (unless you go to a private hospital.)
The EMS system is being overhauled at the moment with a lot of tweaks. EMS hates change. Dinosaurs hate change. I'm actually pretty excited and heartily sold on the system revamp. That, and it IS a dynamic culture. American, British, South African are predominant in the CCP role. APs are more varied and include Moroccan, Tunisian, Jordanian, Somali, Indian, and several others I'm sure.
Call volume is slowly growing, hence one of the reasons for change and growth. Primary recruiting is for Charlie, the On-The-Road CCP position. From there, you can branch out to various areas (Interfacility Transfers, International Transfers, LifeFlight helicopter, National Command Center, Training, Disaster/ Major Incident, Management).
Note, taking a contract now, once all the credentialing is done and you physically arrive, would have you as experienced (here) and in a growing system... and physically here for the World Cup in 2022. Just sayin... I do expect a bit of streamlining after the World Cup and that is a target date for several of us to be planning to leaving after. I do know a few people who's career highlights included an Olympics.
This is a world class system, and probably one of the highest functioning EMS systems in the world. Plus one of the more international and dynamic ones. It's also one driven by improvement, and subscribes to Evidence Based Medicine with annual updates (and occasional off-time inclusions if the evidence is convincing enough.) Evidence from around the world... we have a blended mix of American, European, and South African medications. I do have to say, the American EMS toys are still the coolest though.
As far as spouses, heck.. I met mine here. Technically, if you all convert to the local religion, you could meet 3 more here too!
From my co-workers, the nutshell version: You come here, start working, get your formal residency permit. You get the paperwork to sponsor your family. You let housing know when they're coming, they argue nothing is available, you bring them here anyways and demand housing provide accommodations NOW. You immediately get a place. Might not be the nicest place, but you get a place. Probably a 2 bedroom apartment in a Hamad housing building, based upon your pay grade. This is the funny part. You will have to give your wife a formal and signed No-Objection Letter (in Arabic) to her taking a job here. Some wives choke a little about that part... Everywhere knows this, the jobs will provide a letter for you to sign usually. Credentialing and verification are things here... so if she plans to teach here, it is under your sponsorship, and she will need to go ahead and get Apostilled copies of her degree, and teaching license/ credential at least, in addition to criminal background check. National Apostille and a stamp by the Qatar embassy there. Side note, international criminal background checks here "expire" after 6 months... wouldn't do that until pending to leave. There are quite a few International schools. Including at least two French schools (but most of the staff are French French), a few British and American schools, and others. There are definitely a few spots for language teachers, but you would have to do some research & I would recommend contacting them about how they would go about on-boarding someone and what paperwork was needed if spots were available. Most places would be happy to give guidance. I don't have any kids (that I know of), can't say directly about the daughter. A few coworkers do tend to leave here as the daughters hit the mid to upper teens... local socialization and personal development versus "home" socialization and development. Most of the families seem to have loved the chance for their kids to grow in an international venue and develop in ways they couldn't back home with a far broader set of experiences and were/ are very happy for their 3-6 years here.
DO READ THE CONTRACT. Carefully. Then realize it's a recruiting contract and may not 100% reflect the legal one you sign when you get here. Dot your i's, cross your t's in doing paperwork. Do check on your bank, retirement and investment accounts on international wire transfers. Do plan on on "what happens if they delay me going after I resign my job and expect to receive tickets 3-5 days before I fly... like happened to us way back when (note, this hasn't been an issue for a while now, but for us back in 2014-2015 this was horrible.) Do plan on "what happens if oil prices crash badly." Do check your passport, make sure it has time and empty pages. Do consider your long-term plan. Are you "three and done," and what is your "enjoy life" versus "saving to go home" balance. Do consider your home and possessions there. Long-term storage fees are horrible for what in a few years are aging nicknacks and dusty memories, and you want to go shopping to replace it all anyways. After arrival, redo your will to local legal standards juuuust in case. Do consider brushing up on polite arabic and social customs for the area. Do recheck your packing list when you do come, you don't need as much as you do need, 1-2 light momentos which can be easily carried out of here as well. Do let me know when you're coming, I'll Amazon a few small items..
j/k. Maybe. Do arrive with $2000 US. Improvements have been made, you'll usually get your first pay with the normal end-of-the month, but depending on when you arrive that's the 28th of next month...I've made three excellent choices in my life. One was gong to A&S, and one was coming here, and I have to say one was the wifey. In each of those cases, my entire world changed.
Anything specific, PM away bro.
TheHorsman
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Would you be down for a skype chat or gtalk or whatever your flavour is? I cannot PM...
WailingBanshees
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Hey @dutemplar, Hope it's going well, Thanks for the constant updates and I'm glad you're happy with the wifey.
Did they take in any dispatchers yet? since they contacted me last July there's nothing yet, I'm not in a hurry as I'm busying myself but right now going there would be nice, Much better than here in Jordan for sure.
Cheers~
Did they take in any dispatchers yet? since they contacted me last July there's nothing yet, I'm not in a hurry as I'm busying myself but right now going there would be nice, Much better than here in Jordan for sure.
Cheers~
dutemplar
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I am unaware of any recruited dispatchers. I am aware they have been / are looking, but that's a whole different department.
Just as an FYI.. Applied Sep 2013. Interview April 2014. Job offer May 2014. Verification started August 2014. Visa October 2014. Supposed to come November 2014 and January 2015. Came June 2015... From newer CCPs, it's improved a little bit, but is still a lengthy process.
Just as an FYI.. Applied Sep 2013. Interview April 2014. Job offer May 2014. Verification started August 2014. Visa October 2014. Supposed to come November 2014 and January 2015. Came June 2015... From newer CCPs, it's improved a little bit, but is still a lengthy process.
WailingBanshees
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Wow that took a while 
well I wish you good luck~
well I wish you good luck~
SandpitMedic
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That’s one heck of an update!!! Nice!
MedicMuse
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@dutemplar Are you sti in Qatar ? I can't PM right now, read all messages u post about Qatar.
There was a position in Ambulance Paramedic and i applied that and sent a resume.
they all at least 4-5 years old post but ppl said it took year over to get a proper contact and working visa.
in 2019 is it still like that ??
There was a position in Ambulance Paramedic and i applied that and sent a resume.
they all at least 4-5 years old post but ppl said it took year over to get a proper contact and working visa.
in 2019 is it still like that ??
dutemplar
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Good evening.
Still here. Gonna be here longer than planned, life changes.
“Ambulance Paramedic” is, in US terms, EMT-I. A lot of good people. Most of our APs are Filipino, Indian, Jordanian, Moroccan, Tunisian and batches of several more. A few Pakistani, Afghani, Somali,...
I’m not up to speed on the AP recruitment. They do trips around the world now and then to recruit, and they are bringing over quite a few all the time.
For Critical Care Paramedics, I’ve really only seen South African recruiting lately. There was a brief Canadian attempt, but I don’t think they ran into any interest.
From application to arrival, it’s frequently an 18 month process. I was closer to 2 years. It has been quicker lately, I’ve heard down to several (6-8) months but again... not my area.
Slow spots include:
employment verification (checking with past jobs)
Educational verification (including transcripts). You’ll also need an apostille diploma/ degree/ certs.
Licensing.
Visas... not the slowest part. The government has been streamlining the process and not as much delay for the sake of delay.
Housing. They need a place to put you.
Still here. Gonna be here longer than planned, life changes.
“Ambulance Paramedic” is, in US terms, EMT-I. A lot of good people. Most of our APs are Filipino, Indian, Jordanian, Moroccan, Tunisian and batches of several more. A few Pakistani, Afghani, Somali,...
I’m not up to speed on the AP recruitment. They do trips around the world now and then to recruit, and they are bringing over quite a few all the time.
For Critical Care Paramedics, I’ve really only seen South African recruiting lately. There was a brief Canadian attempt, but I don’t think they ran into any interest.
From application to arrival, it’s frequently an 18 month process. I was closer to 2 years. It has been quicker lately, I’ve heard down to several (6-8) months but again... not my area.
Slow spots include:
employment verification (checking with past jobs)
Educational verification (including transcripts). You’ll also need an apostille diploma/ degree/ certs.
Licensing.
Visas... not the slowest part. The government has been streamlining the process and not as much delay for the sake of delay.
Housing. They need a place to put you.
MedicMuse
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Thanks for the info.
From Turkey age 28 single male. In the website the position looks open till 2017 Nov. University degree paramedic, in Turkey things work different, grade I have is the last step before CCP but there's no option to be a CCP here. Kinda stuck cause of that. I can be a CCP after I get requirements in Qatar.
A university wants me as a Lecturer to train student paramedics but it's official 1 year job, if I get position in Qatar, I just can't leave the job until June 2020 and I need to tell my decision in 45 days. Hope I got a message, call or mail before that so I can make a plan for it.
And because of that, if I get in touch with HMC, may I have a chance to arrange my start date (is it negotiable?). if you know ofc.
Already handle my diploma apostile in case of call.
Added transcript and academic record sheets too in resume with all other certifications.
Employment verification, already noticed every single one in case of a call.
I'm all up for that. All i need is a call from HMC. Qatar looks like a best way to start over from scracth
Hope at least a call or mail in 45 days so I can plan everything.And do you have any skype or mail adresses to ask about CCP thing. In Turkey we don't have that option and wanna be one. I got questions (tons)
)U're the one and the best about HMC search in web for who got questions for that. Thanks a lot again. ^^
dutemplar
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First off, cool. My wife is Turkish. Was there back in June. Visit family in Istanbul, visit the summer home on cinarcik, and then a road trip for diving down to Kas and Fethiye with some pitstops on the way. And yea, from past trips to Turkey I looked at a fire station and ambulance or two... they do have some catching up to do. Good guys, limited equipment and options. Friendly as hell, I don’t think I ever walked into a fire station before using google translate to say “Hi, I am a firefighter paramedic from america and just wanted to see the trucks and get a few pictures” and get kidnapped for tea, lunch, fitted for a cap and jacket (it was a little chilly out) and spend three hours doing tours.
I’m not sure how recruiting from Turkey works. You can go to the main HMC page and try under jobs. In the past six months I know the recruiting team flew to the Philippines and Jordan for sure to recruit groups.
The name I use here, is my normal one. So if you’re playing Battlefield, or MWO, or you know how to send to AOL dot com...
But honestly, the timetable is random. It depends on paperwork and how much pressure comes down from the top... it’s gotten better, but it is a roll of the dice.
I’m not sure how recruiting from Turkey works. You can go to the main HMC page and try under jobs. In the past six months I know the recruiting team flew to the Philippines and Jordan for sure to recruit groups.
The name I use here, is my normal one. So if you’re playing Battlefield, or MWO, or you know how to send to AOL dot com...
But honestly, the timetable is random. It depends on paperwork and how much pressure comes down from the top... it’s gotten better, but it is a roll of the dice.
Thanks for the info.
From Turkey age 28 single male. In the website the position looks open till 2017 Nov. University degree paramedic, in Turkey things work different, grade I have is the last step before CCP but there's no option to be a CCP here. Kinda stuck cause of that. I can be a CCP after I get requirements in Qatar.
A university wants me as a Lecturer to train student paramedics but it's official 1 year job, if I get position in Qatar, I just can't leave the job until June 2020 and I need to tell my decision in 45 days. Hope I got a message, call or mail before that so I can make a plan for it.
And because of that, if I get in touch with HMC, may I have a chance to arrange my start date (is it negotiable?). if you know ofc.
Already handle my diploma apostile in case of call.
Added transcript and academic record sheets too in resume with all other certifications.
Employment verification, already noticed every single one in case of a call.
I'm all up for that. All i need is a call from HMC. Qatar looks like a best way to start over from scracth
And do you have any skype or mail adresses to ask about CCP thing. In Turkey we don't have that option and wanna be one. I got questions (tons)
U're the one and the best about HMC search in web for who got questions for that. Thanks a lot again. ^^
MedicMuse
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Wow, wasn't expecting that much. As you named it found some of your social media accounts but did not want to directly message to before letting you know from here.
About the welcoming at stations, it's ordinary ''Turkish hospitality'' case. What should they do ? haha
Recruiting in Turkey basicaly did not work, everyone (i mean not just paramedics really everysingle one who looks for a job) goes a test country wide and highest grade takes the job (trick is u just can't be good at job and the test same time, best of country's paramedics are all for another things to live, sad fact) in every 2 years. So nothing to do for a paramedic like me who got some passion about the job.
I already applied over HMC system job code ''IRC152442''. Wasn't experienced as hell but I got some skills i believe. Hope I can get.
Left Battlefield after bf1 launch, was playing bf3 and bf4 as hell, you should see me up in the sky with attack heli, good old days..
Again and again you rock the topic, with everysingle answer you gave.
WailingBanshees
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Hey mate, Me again @dutemplar hope you've been doing well.
Hamad starting sending out tests for EMDs here in Jordan, I'm in contact with them, Heard the range is 8800, 9750 for midrange, with shared accomodation.
Just wanted to know if it's enough in QA, I wanna leave here and go save some cash, Got some big plans next year, Also wanna switch more into data science and I think Qatar is a good place to be after I do finish my MSc in Health Informatics, which i should be starting in 3 months (online from ASU).
Is it busy there in terms of dispatch? If it's as calm as my last job in NA UAE could be much time to study between calls in the ACC.
Hoping for some insight.
Best.
Hamad starting sending out tests for EMDs here in Jordan, I'm in contact with them, Heard the range is 8800, 9750 for midrange, with shared accomodation.
Just wanted to know if it's enough in QA, I wanna leave here and go save some cash, Got some big plans next year, Also wanna switch more into data science and I think Qatar is a good place to be after I do finish my MSc in Health Informatics, which i should be starting in 3 months (online from ASU).
Is it busy there in terms of dispatch? If it's as calm as my last job in NA UAE could be much time to study between calls in the ACC.
Hoping for some insight.
Best.
dutemplar
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Still here. The call center is fairly busy. There are breaks and all, but it isn’t a very studying kind of environment. Breaking it down, you have call-takers (dual language, plus some extras thrown in) who do PROQA processing 999 medical calls. You have dispatchers that operate one of the main frequencies each. We’ve got a few... people above them.
9600 isn’t bad... say 1800JD or 2600USD per month. Housing provided. Depending how you live,... if you hop rides, buy a Toyota or a Cadillac... but that is doable for about 1400 paramedics and dispatchers...
9600 isn’t bad... say 1800JD or 2600USD per month. Housing provided. Depending how you live,... if you hop rides, buy a Toyota or a Cadillac... but that is doable for about 1400 paramedics and dispatchers...