A SMCP PROGRAMME (GENERAL)
What are the objectives of the SMCP (Healthcare)?
The SMCP (Healthcare) - Nursing, now in its fourth run, is targeted at augmenting the pool of healthcare manpower in the following ways:
- Assist healthcare institutions to convert and train existing non-healthcare trained* Singaporeans to take on healthcare positions.
- Assist non-healthcare trained Singaporeans who are keen to work in the Healthcare Sector to embark on long-term professional healthcare careers by acquiring relevant healthcare training.
(* Non-Healthcare Assistants, non Nursing and Non-Allied Health Professions)
How much is the funding support?
WDA provides the following support to the trainee under the SMCP (Healthcare):
- Course Fee Support
Trainees will receive 100% of course fee support. WDA will provide 50% of course fee or $4,000, whichever is lower. Healthcare institutions will co-sponsor the balance of the course fee payable.
- Training Allowance
Trainees will receive up to $950 per month during the first year of training and $1,000 per month during the second year of training. WDA will provide up to 50% of last drawn salary or S$800 per month, whichever is lower. Healthcare institutions will co-sponsor the balance of the training allowance payable.
- Wage Support
WDA will provide recruiting healthcare institutions 50% of salary, or $800 per month per candidate, whichever is lower, for the first three months of employment after graduation.
B SMCP
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for applying to the programme, you must meet the following criteria:
General Criteria
- Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents
The SMCP is meant to help Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residences to find jobs.
Academic Criteria
- Degree graduates from reputable universities; or
- Diploma graduates from local polytechnics only
Work Experience Criteria
- Not be holding nursing or health sciences positions;
- At the point of application, not be holding healthcare qualifications similar to the training sought; and
- Have a minimum of two years full-time working experience, excluding national service.
Other Criteria
- Pass a medical examination required by employing hospitals;
- Have not received any previous financial support under any SMCP;
- Complete at least 75% of the training and pass all examinations required by the conversion programme; and
- Fulfill the terms set by the sponsoring healthcare institutions.
Why are the academic and health pre-requisites necessary?
The academic studies are important as the course lead to Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) registration. SNB stipulates the requirements for nurses' training for registration. Health screening is important as participants spent about 45% of the time during training on clinical, good health is essential to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
Would I be considered for SMCP funding if I do not have 2 years of working experience?
SMCP is meant to assist mid-career, and in particular, retrenched and unemployed Singaporeans, to gain entry into new jobs. Admission of candidates who do not have the required two years of full-time working experience will only be granted in exceptional and extraordinary circumstances.
Would part-time working experience count as acceptable working experience?
No. SMCP requires that beneficiaries have at least 2 years of full time working experience. All part time work experience would not count as valid working experience.
Would National Service count as acceptable working experience?
No. National Service would not count as acceptable working experience.
Would vacation training or industrial attachment during tertiary education count as acceptable working experience?
No. These would not count as acceptable working experience.
What counts as healthcare working experience?
Healthcare working experience refer to positions where the job involves patient care, such as healthcare assistants, enrolled nurses, and allied health professions, for e.g. Diagnostic Radiographers, Physiotherapy, etc.
However, a candidate may apply for funding under the SMCP (Healthcare) if they had worked in administrative and ancillary positions in a hospital or healthcare institution before.
Could I apply for SMCP (Healthcare) if I am working in a hospital?
No, if you are working in a healthcare position.
Yes, if you are working in an administrative and ancillary position.
Is there an age limit for SMCP(Healthcare)?
No.
Can I enrol into the training programme if I wish to sponsor myself?
Yes. However, priority will be given to candidates with sponsors, i.e. recruiting healthcare institution.
If I do not meet the criteria for the SMCP(Healthcare), what can I do?
You may wish to consider applying for the 3-year Diploma in Nursing offered by Nanyang Polytechnic. Details of the 3 year Diploma in Nursing is available on the Nanyang Polytechnic website.
The entry requirements for the 3-year Diploma in Nursing are :
- GCE 'O' Level in English Language Grade 1 – 7;
- Elementary or Additional Mathematics Grade 1 – 6; and
- A relevant Science subject Grade 1 – 6
You could also consider becoming an Enrolled Nurse or a Healthcare Assistant. WDA supports the following training courses and you may wish to contact the respective training providers for their training course. Please refer to attached Enrolled Nurse (EN) Fact Sheet and Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Fact Sheet
C SMCP FUNDING ISSUES
Can WDA sponsor me, partially or in full, if I am not selected by any healthcare institution?
No. The SMCP is an employer-based funding scheme whose primary intent is to assist Singaporeans to become placed in jobs. WDA will not be able to subsidise self-sponsored candidates.
Can I apply for SMCP (Healthcare) funding anytime during the training course?
No. The SMCP is a Place-and-Train funding scheme whose primary intent is to assist Singaporeans to become placed in jobs before they commence training. Retrospective or pro-rated funding is not allowed, even if they are eventually offered a position by a healthcare institution.
Is CPF paid on the training allowance?
No.
D COURSE
INFORMATION
When is the start date of the training course?
The Accelerated Diploma in Nursing will commence in Jan 2006 and will end in Jan 2008.
Where can I get more information on the SMCP(Healthcare)?
More information on the SMCP (Healthcare), the application forms, and the application procedures are available on the WDA Corporate website (www.wda.gov.sg).
A Career Preview will be organized on 6 August, 2005 (Saturday) at 9:30 am at Nanyang Polytechnic at the following address:
Blk K, Level 2, LT K2
School of Health Sciences
Nanyang Polytechnic
180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8
Singapore 569830
If you are interested to attend the Career Preview, please register with Ms Karen Siew or Tel : 6550 0097.
What will be covered in the Career Preview for the SMCP(Healthcare)?
At the Career Preview, interested candidates will be introduced to the nursing profession and participants will go on a tour around NYP's training premises.
WDA and MOH will jointly present on the SMCP(Healthcare) and recruiting hospitals will be present with booths for interested applicants to make enquiries.
What is the expected total number of trainees for this intake?
100.
Are there future runs of the same training programme under SMCP(Healthcare)?
The seventh intake of the SMCP(Healthcare) – Nursing will be in July 2006.
What is the attendance requirement for the course?
You would need to have at least 85% attendance for each of the module before you are allowed to sit for examination for that module. In addition, for Singapore Nursing Board Registration, you need to have 100% attendance at clinical attachments.
Can I take the course on a part-time basis?
No. This course is not available on a part-time basis.
E ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES
STAGE 1 : APPLICATION
How do I apply for the programme?
Individuals interested in applying for SMCP (Healthcare) must submit their online application via the Singapore Workforce Development Agency Corporate Website: www.wda.gov.sg.
What is the deadline to apply for this programme?
The application deadline is 19 August, 2005 (Friday). Applications must reach WDA by 5 pm . Late applications will not be entertained.
Who are the recruiting hospitals/ healthcare institutions?
National Healthcare Group : Alexandra Hospital , Institute of Mental Health, National University Hospital , Tan Tock Seng Hospital .
SingHealth : Singapore General Hospital , Changi General Hospital , KK Women's and Children's Hospital, National Heart Centre.
Private Hospitals: Mount Alvernia Hospital , Raffles Hospital.
Community Hospitals : Ang Mo Kio Hospital, Bright Vision Hospital, St Andrew's Community Hospital, St Luke's Hospital for the Elderly.
How many hospitals can I apply to?
You are allowed to apply to any number of hospitals.
Can I obtain an application form for manual application?
No, only online applications are available.
If I do not have internet access, how can I apply for the programme?
Internet access to the SMCP (Healthcare) application form is available at no cost from NTUC Careerlink located at:
No 1, Marina Boulevard ,
#B1- 01 One Marina Boulevard ,
Singapore 018989.
Buses Available : 10, 70, 75, 82, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 501, 700, NR 1, NR 6
MRT : EW 14 Raffles Place
STAGE 2 : SHORTLISTING OF APPLICATIONS
Would I be informed if I am shortlisted?
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Candidates, if selected, will be notified to go for interviews at the healthcare institutions.
Would I be able to know the reason if I am not shortlisted?
The reason why an applicant is not selected depends on the recruiting hospital. It is generally the hospital's policy not to reveal the reason for no hiring a person.
STAGE 3 : INTERVIEW WITH HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS
What happens if I am selected by the healthcare institutions after my interview?
The healthcare institution will offer you a place in the training programme and you are required to revert on your acceptance/non-acceptance of the offer within their stipulated dateline.
I understand that I need to go for a medical check-up. When would I go for the checkup and what would happen if I fail?
The medical examination will normally be done once you accept the hospital's offer. If you fail the medical examination, you would be deemed not eligible for the appointment, and the offer will be withdrawn.
If I receive an offer by a recruiting hospital, would I be allowed to defer entry into the training programme?
No. You will need to re-apply for the programme in the next intake, if any.
STAGE 4 : SIGNING OF TRAINING BOND
What happens after I accept the offer from the healthcare institution?
You will sign a training deed with the respective sponsoring healthcare institution and will be bound by the terms and conditions of the support provided by the healthcare institution.
How many guarantors do I need to provide for the signing of the training deed? Is there any requirement to be guarantor?
You need to provide two guarantors for the signing of the training deed. The guarantors are required to be Singaporean or PRs who are above 21 years-old. Some healthcare institutions may also stipulate that the guarantors must have a minimum monthly income.
What will happen if I withdrew after accepting the offer and/or had signed the deed?
You will need to abide by the terms and conditions stated in the training deed.
If you withdraw after accepting a SMCP(Healthcare) offer without valid reasons as assessed by WDA, you will be barred from participating in any other SMCPs for the next three years.
I am currently in employment. When can I tender my resignation?
You may tender your resignation once you have been successful recruited by the healthcare institution. Your recruitment is deemed successful when you have signed the deed, cleared the medical examination and have been officially accepted by Nanyang Polytechnic.
STAGE 5 : COURSE COMMENCEMENT
What happens after I sign the training deed?
You will be sent for training at Nanyang Polytechnic for 2 years. The support for training will be according to the terms of the healthcare institution.
What if I become pregnant during the course of the training? Will it affect my funding?
If you should become pregnant during the course of the training period, your funding will not be affected. However, as the training programme is intensive, we would like to encourage you to defer your application to the programme after your delivery if you are already pregnant.
F COURSE
EXAMINATION AND COMPLETION
What will happen if I failed some of the examinations? Will the bond be extended?
Trainees who failed the examination of a module may be allowed to take a supplementary examination, provided they do not fail too badly.
What are the penalties if the I am unable to complete the programme within the stipulated timeframe of 2 years?
Different hospitals have different practices on this matter. The trainee will need to abide by the terms and conditions stated in the training deed.
What are the penalties if I do not complete the training course, i.e. withdraw form the course midway?
The trainee should compensate their sponsoring hospital by paying a fine or any other penalty as stipulated in the ir training deed. Hospitals should ensure that their trainees are aware of the penalties for discharging the contract.
G POST
GRADUATION / EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
Do I need to serve a bond after the training programme?
Yes. All successful beneficiaries of the SMCP must serve a bond of 3 years with the sponsoring healthcare institution.
What are the penalties if I do not complete the bond with the healthcare institution?
You would be made to pay the fine or any other penalty as stipulated in your training deed.
H QUESTIONS
ON NURSING CAREER / PROSPECTS
What is the expected salary of a Nurse?
$1,500 (excluding allowances) for an entry-level Registered Nurse.
What are the career prospects of a Registered Nurse?
Registered Nurses can progress in three tracks:
- Registered nurses can be Nurse Clinicians equipped with specialised knowledge and skills to care for patients.
- They can also become Nurse Educators in a hospital or Lecturers at the Nanyang Polytechnic or,
- They can become Nurse Managers or Administrators responsible for directing and supervising care or managing the Nursing Department in an institution.
What are the upgrading avenues for Registered Nurses?
After becoming a Registered Nurse, one is able to further develop his/her nursing skills in various specialties by attending the Advanced Diploma Nursing courses, also offered by Nanyang Polytechnic. You can check the NYP website for more details.
Also, RNs can go on to do their Degrees and Masters in Nursing, and such courses are currently offered in overseas institutions. Outstanding RNs may be offered scholarships to pursue their degrees.
What is the career structure for nurses?
| |
Management |
Clinical |
Education |
|
Master |
Director/Assistant Director |
Advanced Practice Nurse |
Director/Principal Nurse Educator |
|
Advanced Diploma/ Degree
|
Senior Nurse Manager |
Senior Nurse Clinician |
Senior Nurse Educator |
|
Diploma
|
Senior Staff Nurse/ Staff Nurse |
|
Nursing Student in Nanyang Polytechnic |
What are the other HR benefits?
The remuneration package and benefits would depend on the recruiting healthcare institution.
