Specialist training placements in foreign hospitals The specialist training placements in foreign hospitals are aimed at qualified specialists or those receiving training who are based in foreign hospitals. They are regulated by the Ministry of Health, which has to authorise them. We receive professionals from 28 countries to carry out additional training placements of up to six months as part of the healthcare team in over 40 specialisations. The high volume of applications per year and the need to make all training programmes compatible in an environment that is respectful for patients requires us to be very strict with the streaming and the admission requirements. Application process First step The application will be made by filling in the form. If you know the professionals with whom you wish to carry out the training placement, we advise you to contact them first to find out what the availability is. Remember that you can only apply for one placement at a single hospital. It is essential that you attach to the form the report from the head of the health center in your country of origin where you provide the services. This report authorizes the rotation with your first and last name, specialty, rotation unit, and rotation dates. The photo you select must be passport size and have a white background. Second step The Teaching Committee at the Hospital will assess your application and reply as soon as possible. If so, the Department of Health (the regional community’s competent authority) will be notified. If your application is accepted, the Teaching Committee will reserve your place and issue you a formal acceptance, signed by the Chair of the Teaching Committee, as well as the regional community's acceptance. This acceptance will only be valid during the specified dates and is required in order for you to start your administrative procedures with the Ministry of Health. It does not imply any future commitment from the Hospital unless it is accompanied by the corresponding authorisation from the Ministry of Health. Third step You will subsequently have to start your administrative procedures with the Ministry of Health through the website, following its instructions. The Ministry opens two periods a year for application assessments: January-February and June-July. 5. You will be informed later on of the Ministry’s decision. Once the placement has been authorised, the Ministry of Health will close the file. That means any change of date will require a new administrative procedure. Fourth step Go to the Teaching Department on the day your placement begins and complete the necessary paperwork. Remember, it is essential to produce a photocopy of your accident and health assistance insurance and a copy of your civil liability insurance. You will also have to sign a confidentiality and teaching letter of engagement where you specify that you know, understand and accept the terms and conditions established by the Hospital. Requirements At the time of undertaking the training placement, it is necessary to have a professional or training relationship with a public or private institution in a country that has subscribed to the cultural collaboration agreement with Spain. The applicant must hold a university degree in medicine, pharmacy or nursing. Professionals with a qualification in a health sciences specialism or who are undertaking training in one of the following specialisms and who meet the qualification requirements set out below may also apply for a training placement: clinical psychology, clinical analysis, clinical biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and parasitology, radiopharmacy and hospital radiophysics. Conditions The maximum duration of a placement is twelve months without the possibility of extension. The training placement is only authorised and valid for the specific dates detailed in the decision by the Ministry of Health. The fact that specialists completing a training placement are not residents of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital or another accredited Spanish specialised training centre means that under no circumstances can they carry out the same activities as residents of Spanish hospitals that affect either practical work or the learning of technical skills, and the progressive increase of healthcare responsibilities also does not apply to them. Certification Once the training period has concluded, the Teaching Committee will issue a certificate stating the activities carried out and the assessment of the training placement as satisfactory or unsatisfactory in the view of the report issued by the professionals who have supervised the training. Depending on the assessment, The Ministry of Health will issue a certificate accrediting the training placement. Neither the certificate from the Hospital nor that from the Ministry may be used to obtain a qualification as a Spanish specialist or for the conversion of the corresponding foreign qualification. Professionals' relationship with Vall d'Hebron University Hospital They attend the hospital for the sole purpose of training. Accepting the placement does not establish any kind of working relationship with the hospital and no financial compensation or payment will be made by the Hospital during the training period. Professionals on placement are subject to the internal rules and regulations of the Hospital, as well as to the specific rules of the Department or Unit where they carry out their training. Spanish professionals must have a healthcare card, while foreign professionals must have accident insurance and a policy that covers medical care. The Hospital accepts no responsibility for claims due to common illness or any accident that may occur as a result of their time in the centre’s facilities, as the placement is solely for training purposes. The hospital reserves the right to revoke the placement agreement at any time if it considers there has been a breach of the established conditions. Activities of professionals on placement at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. Professionals on placement will have a training timetable agreed with their supervisor according to their programme and approved by the head of department or the nursing supervisor. They are not authorised to sign clinical documentation and are not responsible for the care of patients admitted to the hospital, outpatients or those attending emergency departments. The activities they are involved in will be planned, led, supervised and certified by professionals working in the healthcare unit where the placement takes place, and they must have the agreement of patients to be present or take part in diagnosis and treatment via clinical interview, examination or any type of procedure. It will be obliged to know and respect the current rules on the protection of personal data (RGPD, EU Regulation 2016/679 and LOPD 3/2018, of 5 December) and to guarantee professional secrecy both during stay in the hospital and afterwards. They must be collegiate members and have civil liability insurance that covers the risks that may occur as a result of the activities carried out during the placement.