Department of Health (DOH) will be hiring 857 health workers to boost their pool of personnel in the fight against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The majority of the vacancies are for nurses.
DOH has released Department Memorandum No. 2020-0153 which prescribes interim guidelines for emergency hiring of health personnel in select hospitals and other health facilities to expand the country’s response to the COVID-19 health emergency.
“The hiring of health personnel is primarily to augment our workforce in health facilities in the regions, provinces, or cities that manage COVID-19 cases,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.
Once hired, they will be deployed in the following order of priority:
1. DOH-designated COVID-19 referral hospitals like Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital;
2. Temporary treatment and monitoring facilities for COVID-19;
3. DOH-designated COVID-19 diagnostic facilities;
4. Public hospitals (national and local) handling COVID-19 patients; and
5. Private hospitals duly designated by the DOH to handle COVID-19 cases.
According to the DOH, the health workers needed include 267 nurses, 204 nursing attendants, 118 ward assistants, 85 respiratory therapists, 82 medical officers, 36 ambulance drivers, 35 radiologic technologists, and 30 medical equipment technicians (Mechanical Ventilator Technician).
Under the emergency hiring order, a health personnel will be entitled to a monthly salary compensation with 20% premium based on the basic salary, regardless of the number of quarantine days per month; protective personal equipment (PPEs); board and lodging while on duty or on quarantine; psychosocial support, as needed; Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, which may be granted through Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) certification; medico-legal assistance; and preferential evaluation for DOH vacancies, depending on qualifications.
Priority will be given to those who signed up as volunteers for the COVID-19 response in DOH sites.
Additionally, the health personnel will receive hazard pay of Php500/day whether on duty or under required quarantine; GSIS group insurance (one time premium of Php 500); benefits under the Bayanihan We Heal As One Act such as PhilHealth hospitalization benefits, Php 100,000 in case of infirmity due to COVID-19 and Php 1,000,000 in case of death; and a communication and transportation allowance of Php 1,000/month.
Public health workers, who are exposed to health risk in the light of the pandemic, are also eligible to receive a one-time special risk allowance of up to 25% of their monthly basic pay, subject to the provisions of Administrative Order 28 released on April 6.
“We are thankful for the health care workers who volunteered their expertise in this COVID-19 battle. Your heroism in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic is an inspiration to the government and to the Filipino people,” Secretary Duque concluded. (via DOH website)