What it does: Provides medical services including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and tertiary-care facilities in Thailand.
Best known for: Being one of the most preferred hospitals among expatriates in Thailand.
Staff stats: Around 3,500 employees.
The good bits: Job security (it’s one of Thailand’s largest institutions). Reported to have a favourable working environment.
The not-so-good bits: Shifting work schedule.
Bangkok Hospital is one of the biggest privately-owned group of medical institutions in Southeast Asia with 25 hospitals and total assets of US$4 billion as of 2018. It is the flagship medical institution of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), Thailand’s largest private healthcare group founded by Thai billionaire Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth.
Established in 1972, Bangkok Hospital was the country’s first private hospital. The company claims it has 1,200 specialised physicians that serve more than a million patients annually. Of these, 230,000 are foreign patients from 160 countries.
The company’s services, facilities, and treatment processes are internationally certified by the US-based healthcare accreditation agency Joint Commission International. It also utilises translators who can speak more than 30 different languages.
Candidates can apply online by submitting their resume and completing the application form on the corporate website or on the company’s affiliated recruitment sites. They can also apply in person with the required documents such as ID card, work certificate, house registration, school diploma and photos.
The response time can take up to a month. They will receive a response either through phone or email, and the candidates will be invited to the Bangkok head office to take two interviews, one with the human resources (HR) personnel and the other with the hiring officer. Some of the interview questions may include:
The following are the available positions for graduates and their reported monthly salaries (in baht): nurse 37,000-52,000; nursing assistant, patient service representative 16,000-20,000 baht; pharmacy intern, data encoder 15,000-19,000; pharmacy technician, medical assistant, medical biller, licensed practical nurse 17,000-22,000; pharmacy clerk 10,000-12,000; medical secretary, dental assistant, accounting clerk 19,000-25,000; occupational therapy aide 17,000-22,000; health information systems technician 14,000-17,000; medical laboratory technician 22,000-29,000; physical therapist assistant 26,000-35,000; medical technician and human resources specialist 24,000-33,0000.
Career opportunities are favourable as candidates can benefit from the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) network of 46 hospitals operating in Southeast Asia. The group’s built-in network is called the Center of Excellence (COE) where it develops the medical skills of employees to enhance their services in orthopedics, trauma, brain and nervous system, health, and cancer.
In particular, the company collaborates with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in the US by sending clinical staff to participate in the BDMS-OHSU International Health Alliance program to upgrade specialised medical skills to be on a par with the US hospital standards. In 2018, 133 physicians, dentists, nurses, and medical personnel were trained at OHSU.
Part of the COE is the BDMS Training Center for Clinical Skill where selected employees are trained using simulation-based instructions to sharpen their clinical skills through hands-on practice. Not only does this deepen their knowledge, skill, and competency but also improves patient safety.
Moreover, the company developed training courses via E-Learning, which covers the entire network with increased channels of access to information and tests. The courses are accessible through personal computers or mobile phones.
The organisation is said to have an open environment. It encourages employees to share knowledge and experience among the different departments, either through meetings or information exchange via the intranet. Surveys are also conducted at all levels to collect opinions and suggestions to improve the management style. In addition, it has guidelines on submitting grievances to prevent tension and mitigate frustration in the workplace.
The company also emphasises teamwork to maintain stability while promoting discussion and problem-solving with the purpose of improving patient safety and well-being. Communication is common among medical practitioners as part of the common goal of saving a patient life.
The institution organised activities to assist the disadvantaged through the Vejdusit Foundation, which launched the ‘Unlimited Dream Project’ to create social awareness for disadvantaged and the disabled. The charitable organisation also provides free medical care to low-income patients, government assistance in the field of public health, and scholarship to poor but deserving individuals.
Candidates can expect regular cooperation and interaction among their coworkers, making them feel connected and valued to the company. This may build their loyalty to the organisation in the long run. However, the rotating work shifts common in the healthcare industry may affect their performance as this may lead to serious health conditions.