ByadminNew bill on medical personnel: what is to expect for nurses and paramedics in caseif passed?
As we have already reported, the bill providing for a significant liberalization of hiring conditions for not only doctors and dentists educated outside the EU, but also nurses, has been submitted to the Seimas of Poland. It concernsparamedics and nurses.
In this article, we look at the provisions of the bill regarding nursing staff. Please note that the provisions of the document, if approved and entered into force, will be valid only during the period when the epidemic or epidemic threat is declared.
Paramedic personnel
In Poland, there is the concept of “medical rescuer” (ratownikmedycznу). This is an expert with higher or secondary vocational education, which depends on the year of graduation. Until 2013, such education could be obtained at a police school. After 2013, in order to work as a medical rescuer, one must graduate from a higher school in this specialty.
A medical rescuer provides such services:
- independentmedical services or those prescribed by a doctor;
- ensuring the safety of people at the scene;
- transportation of patients with emergency conditions;
- psychological support in a condition of unexpected health risks;
- healthcare education and healthcare promotion.
In the countries of the former USSR, ambulance paramedics perform similar functions. Therefore, until recently, their diplomas were recognized in Poland. Unfortunately, however, there is no longer automatic pass at this time.
The bill, if adopted, will again temporarily open the door for paramedics from non-EU countries. In particular, consent to perform the aforementioned functions will be granted subject to:
- a diploma issued outside the territory of the EU Member States confirming the applicant got the profession of a medical assistant;
- the documents confirming at least 3 years of professional experience in performing paramedic activities, obtained during the last 5 years.
Consent to work as an expat paramedic will be issued by the Minister, on the basis of the documents provided. The national consultant in Emergency Medicine will verifythese documents. The Minister’s verification is valid during 5 years since the approval is signed.
Documents along with the application can be submitted through the consul. If the decision of the Minister is positive, the consulate will be notifiedand issue a visa. If the Minister has doubts about the validity of the documents, he will return them back to the consulateto double check.
A paramedic who has passed approval will work supervisedby a doctor or other paramedic. If any information on posing a threat to the patient’s life by the activity of a supervised paramedic, reaches the Minister, he will immediately withdraw the consent.
Doubts are being raised towards confirming the diploma of a paramedic after 5 years of work in Poland,on the basis of the provisions of the bill under consideration. The fact is, that the Polish Law on Emergency Medicine provides for the possibility of obtaining the right to practice as a paramedic if the applicant has a diploma recognized as equivalent to Polish one. In addition, in Poland, a paramedic diploma can only be obtained at a higher school.
Nurses and midwives
For non-EU nurses and midwives, the following requirements are applied:
- to declare knowledge of the Polish language at a level sufficient for the performance of professional duties;
- to receive a certificate from a Polish medical institution, providing information on the scope of professional activity and the period of the employment planned;
- to pass a medical test in Poland and receive a certificate stating the condition of health allows the applicant to work as a nurse or midwife;
- to have at least 3 years of nursing experience gained within the last 5 years;
- to have a nursing diploma, its translation and apostille. In case if the apostilleis refused for the diploma for a reason, the Minister can omit requiring it.
As well as in case of paramedics, the above documents will be submitted to the Minister, including via. To make a decision, the Minister will seek the opinion of the national or provincial nursing consultants. Based on the positive decision of the Minister, the regional chambers of nurses and midwives will accept the right to practice and enter the nurse on the register.
The healthcare facility will employ a nurse on the basis of an employment contract, and, as in the case of doctors, the provisions of the Labour Code will not apply to it. During her first year of work, a nurse recruited under the imposed bill’s frame, will work supervised by an experienced nurse appointed by the facility manager.
The bill provides for nurses and midwives from non-EU countries to be hiredto hospitals where patients with COVID-19 are treated. However, the Minister is in charge tosend such a nurse to other health care institutions having a sharp demand in a mid-level nursing staff.
The contract with the nurse will be signed for a period not more than 5 years. During this period, she will confirm her diploma and pass the Polish language test in order to obtain the full right to practice.
P.S.: The Polish medical community was very hostile to the Bill on Medical Personnel. However, as practice shows, in such an issue as the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, the deputies from the ruling party are ready to ignore the opinion of expert self-government bodies. The rulingpower here is having “political will”.
