I’ve been keeping an eye on hospital job openings in Spain for a friend studying medicine and decided to compile what I found, as there are quite a few positions available in both public and private hospitals. The information felt a bit scattered, so I thought I’d create a summary post for anyone on the forum who might find it helpful. Feel free to add more if you know of any!
It seems there’s more staff turnover in the healthcare sector this year compared to previous years, especially for nurses and specialist doctors, so there are plenty of opportunities. However, most permanent positions in public hospitals still require passing the OPE (public employment offer), and the competition is fierce. On the other hand, temporary and substitute contracts offer much more flexibility, making them ideal for a transitional period or for gaining local experience. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door of the Spanish medical system, which you can learn more about in this guide on seeking medical care in Spain.
Madrid Health Service (SERMAS)
In Madrid, most of the recent openings are for nursing and nursing assistant positions, mainly temporary contracts to cover summer holidays and staff turnover. I’ve seen quite a few short-term contract positions at hospitals like Hospital Universitario La Paz and Gregorio Marañón. For specialist doctors, there’s a constant demand in fields like anesthesiology, pediatrics, and radiology, so if you have the qualifications, it’s worth keeping a close eye on their recruitment portals. Additionally, some primary care centers (centros de salud) are also hiring family doctors, where the work pressure might be relatively lower.
Updates from Some Private Hospitals
In the private sector, groups like Quirónsalud and HM Hospitales have a much more flexible and faster hiring process. They’re not just recruiting doctors and nurses, but also have openings for administrative, reception, and IT support staff. In terms of salary, private hospitals might offer higher pay for an especialista in some departments compared to public ones, but the workload can also be more intense. Below is a quick summary of the typical requirements for a few common roles, based on what I recall. Always check the detailed job description for each hospital:
| Position | Typical Requirements |
|---|
| Médico Especialista | Título de especialista vía MIR, Homologación, Colegiación vigente |
| Enfermero/a | Grado en Enfermería, Homologación, Colegiación vigente |
| TCAE | Título de Técnico en Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería |
| Administrativo | Formación en administración, experiencia en sector sanitario |
One last reminder: no matter which position you’re applying for, make sure to tailor your CV to Spanish conventions, highlighting the key points. Also, colegiación (professional registration) is a mandatory requirement for almost all doctor and nurse positions, so if you haven’t done it yet, get on it ASAP. I hope this information helps everyone. Good luck with your job search! And for those who find a job, don’t forget to come back and share your experience!
