Thousands of jobs await health workers in Guam

MANILA, Philippines – Employment opportunities are getting brighter for jobless Filipinos and other health workers.

The recruitment industry yesterday reported that thousands of jobs await Filipino nurses and other health care workers in Guam.

“Aside from construction workers, Guam will also be hiring nurses and other health care workers with the impending relocation of US marines and dependents from Okinawa,” recruitment industry consultant Manny Geslani said.

Geslani said the actual demand for health care workers would start by 2012 when the relocation has already been completed.

But Geslani said Filipino nurses and other health workers aspiring to work in the US colony could start preparing for the requirements this early by taking the necessary licensure examinations,

Aside from doctors and nurses, Guam will also need medical technicians in radiology, cardio labs, CT-Scan, occupational and physical therapists, medical transcriptionists and medical administrative personnel.

Deployment of Filipino construction workers to Guam is expected to start by the first quarter of 2010.

Guam officials were in Manila last week for consultations with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), Philippine Construction Association on the hiring of Filipino construction workers.

But recruitment leaders cautioned workers that at this time, there are still no job orders available for Filipinos aspiring to work in Guam.

Recruitment officials said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is still drafting the proposed employment contract acceptable to Guam labor officials and the POEA. –Mayen Jaymalin, Philippine Star