Nurses top list of hospital posts
Sha Tin institution seeks new staff as demand for quality health care promotes expansion
THE POST-SARS period has seen drastic changes in Hong Kong's hospital system, in both public and private sectors.
There has been an increase in demand for quality hospital services and facilities, and public hospitals now receive more government funds.
Ever since the opening of Union Hospital in Sha Tin in 1994, it has been at the forefront of change by introducing new technology with a strong emphasis on expanding capacity, quality of services and accommodation.
The hospital has been continuously expanding, according to Anthony K. Y. Lee, the chief hospital manager and medical director. It now has 200 beds and this number is expected to increase by 50 per cent over the next year.
While the hospital is hiring a wide range of health-care professionals including midwives, physiotherapists, radiographers, medical laboratory technicians and assistants, the primary focus remains on hiring more nurses.
The hospital is expecting to take on board a further 20 nurses in the next six months.
It is also willing to hire and train young high school graduates who want to start a career in the medical profession.
According to Dr Lee, there has been a shortage of nurses in recent years as Hong Kong's three nursing schools have not produced enough graduates. To help alleviate this problem, the hospital has developed its own training programme in co-operation with the Chinese University and the Open University of Hong Kong.
Clinical assistants, who are diligent, have an opportunity for promotion. After attending a certified course of three to six months, they can become health-care assistants.
The path to becoming a registered nurse usually takes three years and is divided into two phases. First, candidates complete a two-year training course for enrolled nurses. After completing the course, they can progress to the next level by taking a one-year conversion course organised by the universities, followed by a six-week technical working period in the hospital.
During this time, when they are not productive, Union Hospital offers nurses a monthly loan that they can repay once they reassume work with the hospital. 'This way, we provide training tailored to our requirements,' Dr Lee said.
Training is conducted by the hospital's internal training department, which also sponsors employees to attend conferences.
When hiring, the hospital looks for candidates who are willing to learn, have good communication skills and a friendly, pleasant, cheerful personality.
'All new recruits are given a period of orientation and mentoring with the stress on developing a good service attitude overseen by the hospital's quality assurance department,' Dr Lee said.
The hospital also emphasises the importance of safety regulations. Dr Lee said it was the primary duty of all employees to follow a good practice professionally and ethically and to report to their seniors if they noticed any potential risk.
The hospital is also looking to strengthen its marketing and IT department by hiring technicians, programmers, clerks, customer service assistants and a web designer.
'We have been developing our own marketing strategies and we came to realise that the web is a very good way to reach the public,' Dr Lee said.
The successful designer must have experience, but no specific degree or exposure to hospital service is required. The candidate, however, should have innovative ideas and be able to convey information in an attractive manner.
'Recruits will be joining an upcoming and progressive institution with a good company culture and working environment,' Dr Lee said.
PATH TO NURSING
Recruitment at Union Hospital is an ongoing process
The hospital is planning to hire 20 nurses in the next six months
Successful candidates must be willing to learn and have good communication skills
The hospital offers a promotion path for secondary school graduates to become registered nurses
There are regular in-house training programmes for staff