Requirements for an assignment abroad as a doctor

• Valid approbation certificate
• At least 3 years of practical professional experience
• A specialist title is not required

• First assignment up to the age of 70
• The age limit of 74 years applies to doctors who have already been on a mission

• For the assignment, you should have English language skills level B2 or better. Before applying, we recommend that you take a free language test and carry out a critical self-assessment.
• A good command of English is important, for example to be able to communicate with our local project managers and to train the local healthcare staff. Possible language barriers with patients are usually overcome through close dialogue with local healthcare staff.

Working as a Swiss Doctor can be challenging - both physically and emotionally. Our doctors on assignment must therefore be fit to work in the tropics and be in good physical and mental health.

It is important to us that doctors familiarise themselves with the assignment in advance and agree with Swiss Doctors' basic attitude:

• We respect human dignity and are committed to all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, etc.
• Human rights are the central frame of reference for our work. This means that the people we treat have rights and should be empowered.
• We are primarily a humanitarian, medical aid organisation.

As working abroad can be challenging on some days, our Swiss Doctors also need a certain attitude to ultimately have an unforgettable experience and make a lasting difference. This includes, among other things:

• Commitment to live and work with a team in a confined space.
• Commitment to work with and respect our local project partners and local staff on an equal footing.
• Commitment and ability to cope with unforeseen situations.

Ask yourself a few important questions beforehand to make sure that working as a Swiss Doctor is the right thing for you:

• Can I imagine living for 6 weeks in a foreign environment that is very different from my home environment?
• Can I imagine living in basic accommodation with little privacy and other Swiss and German Doctors?
• Can I stand the injustice on site? Can I bear to witness violations of human rights?
• Can I deal with unforeseen situations in a relaxed manner?
• Can I cope with stressful situations and a heavy workload?

Every year, numerous Swiss and German doctors go abroad with us to help people in a sustainable way. Most of them look back on a challenging time, but also an unforgettable experience. 97% of them consider going on assignment again.

To prepare yourself for your assignment, you will receive support and guidance from us. In addition to project information with organisational and medical details, this also includes seminars to prepare you for the disease patterns and treatment options on site.

Planned seminars are

• Basic medicine and international health
• Project seminar
• Online safety seminars on 3 evenings

It is of course an advantage if you have already spent a longer period of time abroad, but it is not a premise.

However, our prospective Swiss Doctors should be prepared to adapt to the very different living conditions. The heat, poor infrastructure and very simple circumstances can be challenging.

We have a focus on general medicine in all our projects, which is why no medical specialist is required. However, individual specialisations may be required in some projects.

Yes, many of our Swiss Doctors help during their annual leave. With our 6-week assignments, it is often possible to help without having to take a longer break from work.