Saudi Arabia
Jobs for Physicians and Dentists and Recruitment Services for Hospitals, Practices and Clinics
Find Your Next Medical or Dental Career in Saudi Arabia
Are you a doctor or dentist seeking new challenges in one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the world? Or are you a healthcare organization in Saudi Arabia searching for exceptional talent to join your team? At Odyssey Recruitment, we excel in connecting skilled medical and dental professionals with exciting opportunities across Saudi Arabia’s thriving healthcare sector.
Why Work in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of professional opportunities, financial rewards, and cultural experiences, making it an attractive destination for doctors and dentists. Here’s why it might be the right choice for you:
- Modern Healthcare System: Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in its healthcare infrastructure, providing cutting-edge facilities and technologies.
- High Demand for Talent: Opportunities for general practitioners, family physicians, specialists, and dentists are abundant across public and private sectors.
- Competitive Compensation: Roles are available with salary-based or fee-for-service payment models, offering attractive earning potential.
- Tax-Free Income: Enjoy the financial advantage of working in a tax-free environment.
- Relocation Support: Many employers offer relocation packages, including work permit sponsorship and accommodation.
Opportunities for Doctors and Dentists in Saudi Arabia
For Doctors
- General Practitioners/Family Physicians: Deliver essential care in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
- Specialist Doctors: High demand for specialists in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and more.
- Consultants and Senior Specialists: Lead clinical teams and shape the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia.
For Dentists
- Roles in private dental practices and government healthcare facilities.
- Demand for specialists in orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and prosthodontics.
Contract Types
- Locum Contracts: Short-term roles providing flexibility and global experience.
- Permanent Contracts: Long-term positions offering career growth and stability
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Healthcare Organisations: Find the Right Talent
As Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector continues to expand, the need for skilled medical and dental professionals is greater than ever. Odyssey Recruitment helps healthcare organisations find the best candidates:
- Extensive Talent Network: Access a global pool of highly qualified doctors and dentists eager to work in Saudi Arabia.
- Customised Recruitment Solutions: From locums to permanent hires, we tailor our strategies to meet your needs.
- Streamlined Processes: We handle recruitment from start to finish, including licensing and onboarding.
Licensing and Work Permits in Saudi Arabia
To practice in Saudi Arabia, doctors and dentists must obtain the necessary licenses and work permits.
Licensing Requirements
- For Doctors: Registration with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).
- For Dentists: Registration with the SCFHS Dental Division.
- Documents required include proof of qualifications, professional experience, and good standing from your current regulatory authority.
Work Permit Sponsorship
- Employers typically sponsor work permits, simplifying the process for international candidates.
- Our team provides comprehensive guidance to ensure smooth transitions.
Relocation Support and Benefits
Relocating to Saudi Arabia is made easier with the benefits many employers provide, including:
- Work Permit Sponsorship: Full support for visa and work permit applications.
- Relocation Assistance: Coverage for travel, shipping, and other relocation costs.
- Accommodation: Many employers offer free or subsidised housing for international staff.
- Family-Friendly Packages: Assistance with schooling, healthcare, and spousal employment opportunities.
How We Support You
For Doctors and Dentists
- Explore Opportunities: Access a wide range of locum and permanent roles in Saudi Arabia.
- Application Support: Receive expert advice on licensing, CV preparation, and interview preparation.
- Relocation Guidance: From visa applications to settling into your new role, we’re with you every step of the way.
For Employers
- Define Your Needs: Share your hiring requirements, and we’ll develop a tailored recruitment plan.
- Find the Best Talent: We screen and present only the most qualified candidates for your review.
- Ensure Smooth Transitions: Support onboarding to integrate new hires seamlessly into your team.
Living and Working in Saudi Arabia
Working in Saudi Arabia offers more than just professional growth—it’s a lifestyle upgrade:
- Rich Culture: Immerse yourself in Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, from historic sites to modern landmarks.
- Community: Join a welcoming international community of professionals.
- Leisure: Enjoy Saudi Arabia’s beautiful deserts, coastal resorts, and cultural festivals.
Get Started Today
Whether you’re ready to take the next step in your medical or dental career or looking to expand your healthcare team, Odyssey Recruitment is here to help.
- For Professionals: Register your CV or browse current opportunities.
- For Employers: Contact us to discuss your recruitment needs or just submit a job brief for a position you wish to fill.
Join us in shaping the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia—where opportunity meets excellence.
35 Million
POPULATION
Riyadh
CAPITAL CITY
Arabic
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
SAR
CURRENCY
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Ready for a change? Whether you’re looking for higher compensation, greater autonomy, a better work-life balance, or just a change in scenery, we have job opportunities in wonderful locations across the world. Start your medical or dental job search today and embark on your next career move.
SUBMIT A JOB VACANCY
Ready to hire medical or dental practitioners? We have an extensive data base of qualified candidates across the world ready for locum and permanent positions. Contact us to discuss your candidate requirements or submit details of a job vacancy using our form. Our recruiters will be delighted to discuss how we can assist.
Jobs for International Physicians in Saudi Arabia
Consultant Jobs
Secondary and Tertiary Care
Highly qualified and experienced specialists in all medical fields are sought for senior positions in hospitals of the major cities across Saudi Arabia.
A minimum of three years experience as an independent specialist post residency and specialist training is a requirement of most of the major hospitals and subspecialist training is highly regarded.
Family Physician Jobs
Primary Care
"Family Physician" or "Consultant in Family Medicine" is the job title used in the Middle East for the position known in the UK as a general practitioner.
Qualified and experienced family physicians are sought for jobs based in hospitals or polyclinics where the family physician often works with a selection of specialists. There is no on call duty and no home visits, an office based job.
The Recruitment Process
WORKING TOGETHER
We work with candidates to find the best medical jobs in Saudi Arabia. This is the process.
01
Data Flow Report
DataFlow Report for primary source verification of credentials.
02
SCFHS Registration
Register with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties for medical licence.
03
Prometric Exam
Take the prometric exam for your profession or get an exemption.
04
Job Interview
Apply for jobs and interview with leading employers in Saudi Arabia.
05
Professional Licence
Credential document of professional category and licence card issued by SCHFS.
06
Visa
Employers sponsor visas for successful applicants and book your flights from point of hire.
Curriculum Vitae Drafting
Tailored for the job
Learn how to draft your curriculum vitae specifically for jobs in Saudi Arabia, including the vital information employers look for, and increase your chances of being shortlisted for a job interview.
Job Interviews and Offers
Negotiate an offer
Learn how to excel at virtual and live interviews with employers in Saudi Arabia, secure a job offer and then negotiate agreeable terms of employment. Remember, if it is not in writing then it is not enforceable!
Credentialing & Privileging
Understand the difference
Credentialing and privileging are two different processes, the former the responsibility of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities, the latter the responsibility of each healthcare facility.
Public Versus Private Sector Jobs
Doctors applying for jobs in Saudi Arabia often overlook the fact that there are two distinct sectors in the healthcare system, the public and the private, with different functions, cultures and working conditions.
Do you understand the differences and the skills required to succeed in each sector? Do you know how to manage and negotiate an incentive scheme?
Key Factors Influencing Available Jobs
Vision 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.
Saudization
Saudization is officially known as the Saudi Nationalisation Scheme or Nitaqat, a policy implemented by the Ministry of Labour, whereby Saudi companies are required to hire Saudi Nationals on a quota basis.
"Saudi Arabia is blessed with energy from various sources, whether it's fossil in oil and gas, or renewables, wind and solar, that are extremely competitive."
Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia since 25 February 2020
Economy & Culture
The largest and most populous of the Near Eastern countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia has grown from a nomadic desert kingdom of just 3 million inhabitants in the 1970s to a country of 35 million people today and projected to reach 45 million by 2060.
The dramatic population growth and vast oil production has fuelled an infrastructure boom with a demand for highly skilled professional workers across many sectors including healthcare which has grown exponentially since 1995.
Saudization and Vision 2030 are the key policy drivers for the increasingly diversified economy with strong demand for expatriate workers in highly specialised fields.
Saudi Arabia uses the Islamic Lunar Hijri calendar which has 12 lunar months of 354 or 355 days.
Sunday - Thursday is the standard working week. Friday is the holy day of prayers and Saturday is a day of rest in the public sector, but often a working day for private sector employees.
Employment Terms in Saudi Arabia
Iqamas, Tax Free Salaries & Benefits
Employment contracts
Employment contracts in Saudi Arabia are usually of 1-4 years duration and in most cases are renewable, subject to employee performance. Short term contracts of 1-6 months duration are sometimes available for locums.
Iqama
This is the residency permit which is issued after your arrival in Saudi Arabia and is essential to access some services in the kingdom. Your employer will process this application and will be listed on the iqama as your sponsor. Some iqamas are transferable to other employers without the requirement for re-issue. You should check this before accepting a new job offer.
Remuneration and Benefits
Employment Terms in Saudi Arabia usually include:
- Tax free salary
- Commission or incentives with some contracts (private sector)
- Accommodation in a compound or an accommodation allowance
- Healthcare Insurance (this is essential)
- Flights from point of hire
- 30-40 days annual leave
- Professional malpractice cover
- End of service award dependent on contract length
- Education allowance for children
- Study leave
The Birthplace and Spiritual Homeland of Islam
Saudi Arabia is rich in attractions and stirring symbolism
For Muslims, the cities of Mecca and Medina, rich in Prophetic significance, have no equal, while the carved temples of Madain Saleh, known as the second Petra, and the sophisticated rock art at Jubbah are the Kingdom's greatest pre-Islamic treasures.
Other wonders abound, from echoes of TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) along the Hejaz Railway to the sculpted red dunes of romantic deserts. Fascinating Riyadh is a showpiece for modern Saudi Arabia, while Jeddah's World Heritage coral architecture whisks you back to the history of this bustling pilgrim port.
The pristine, azure waters of the Red Sea ache to be explored and in the south, the jewel in the Kingdom's crown, Asir, reveals breath taking mountain scenery where mysterious and spectacular villages wait to be discovered.
The Medical and Healthcare Sector in Saudi Arabia.
All medical facilities in Saudi Arabia are subject to the authority and regulation of the Ministry of Health.
Public Sector
The national public service hospitals account for 80% of bed capacity and medical care.
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Defence and Aviation
- National Guard
- Security Forces Hospitals
- King Faisal Specialist Hospitals and Research Centres
Private Sector
This fast growing sector provides at least 20% of the medical care in Saudi Arabia, mostly focused on secondary care with selective tertiary and primary care services.
News and Insights about working in Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector
