Hospital Clinician (HC) Scheme

About

The Hospital Clinician (HC) Scheme is a nationally recognised career pathway for doctors in Singapore's public healthcare system who wish to develop professionally outside specialty training, focusing on broad-based clinical practice in public hospitals.

Through a structured curriculum with work-based assessments administered using Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), HCs gain the necessary clinical experience and broad-based medical competencies to effectively provide care services in acute and sub-acute public hospitals.

Who it is for

Doctors who prefer clinical work over specialisation, value flexibility, and enjoy team-based care.

Broad-based Rotations with Wide Exposure

HCs in SingHealth, the leading and largest public healthcare cluster in Singapore, have the opportunity to be exposed to a myriad of cases through broad-based and specialty-specific rotations for two years. This allows them to take on different roles and responsibilities as a Hospital Clinician, ensuring Singapore's healthcare system remains sustainable while providing a consistently high standard of care.

Career Prospects

The HC scheme is an employment scheme (work-train scheme) with elements of structured assessments incorporated to ensure standards of various job grades. An exciting career awaits after the two-years training. As HCs gain more experience, they may progress to become Senior Principal Hospital Clinicians, with opportunities for organisational and administrative leadership roles.

Training Domains

Hospital Clinicians (HCs) will be placed in one of the two domains during the HC Diploma Phase: 'Medical - Acute and Subacute Care', and 'Peri-operative - Surgical and Anaesthesia'. Senior Hospital Clinicians (SHCs) from both domains will remain anchored in strong medical competencies, enabling cross-deployment between departments within the same domain.

For Hospital Clinician Scheme (Paediatrics), there is only one domain: 'Medical - Acute and Subacute Care (Paeds)'.

FAQ

There will be hospital management opportunities for SHC and Principal Hospital Clinician (PHC), such as quality improvement and education. Discussions have to be carried out between the HCs and their respective supervisors/HODs, so that their interests can be better understood and career path can be mapped out more effectively.

Although a MO may apply for both the HC and Residency programmes at the same time, it is discouraged as they should be clear on the path they are more inclined to take. MOs may approach their seniors or respective Institution’s Junior Doctors Well-being Committee for career guidance.

Departments may offer the HC track subject to the availability and suitability of the scheme, based on the needs of the department/discipline. You may wish to approach the HOD of the department to find out more.

Yes, this is part of the HC’s job role and responsibility. The number of night calls may differ across disciplines and as the HC progresses in his/her role.

HCs will be eligible to apply and sit for an exit exam upon completing a minimum of 17 months of HC programme. The summative assessment is a common MCQ by the Academy Medicine of Singapore. It is aimed at assessing clinical judgement and decision making based on broad-based general ward management and ward emergencies.

This may be possible from SHC level within the same domain, subject to department needs and requirements. SHCs are typically emplaced into one of two domains – Medical (Acute & Subacute Care) and Peri-Operative (Surgical & Anaesthesia), allowing them to be cross-deployed between departments of the same domain.