In Jamaica, the healthcare and nursing job sector presents a complex and dual reality which is the high demand for only specialized skills and a heap of frustration for newly trained nurses. For new graduates, the public sector can be very difficult to enter, leading many to consider private healthcare jobs or seek employment abroad.
For experienced nurses, international recruitment remains a constant factor with higher pay offered by overseas institutions that Jamaica’s public sector cannot match. Addressing the systemic issues, particularly regarding compensation, working conditions, and pathways for new graduates, is critical to strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce. So if you are a new graduate or experience nurse, Jamaica healthcare sector is now recruiting and will be pleased to work hand in hand with aspiring practitioner in other to improve the healthcare system of the country.
In this article we will be discussing on current Healthcare and Nursing Jobs ongoing in Jamaica, their requirements, top hiring organization with their benefits and challenges.
Ongoing Healthcare and Nursing Job Vacancies
1. Ophthalmic Technicians
- Recruiter: Ophthalmic Suites Jamaica Ltd.
- Deadline: October 24, 2025.
2. Adherence Counsellor HS 4
- Recruiter: St. Mary Health Department Deadline: October 31, 2025
3. Enrolled Assistant Nurse EAN 2
- Recruiter: Regional Health Facilities Maintenance Unit (NERHA)
- Deadline: October 31, 2025
4. Staff Nurse, RN
- Recruiter: GREENE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER
- Location: Jefferson, IA
- Salary: $74K – $100K per year
5. PRN Registered Nurse (RN)
- Recruiter: Aspire of Perry
- Location: Perry, IA
- Salary: $40 Per Hour
6. RN PRN
- Recruiter: St. Gregory Recovery Center
- Location: Bayard, IA
- Salary: $76K – $94K
Top Organization and Hospital hiring Nursing Staff in Jamaica
There are major organizations hiring nurses in Jamaica and they include the national and regional health authorities, the University Hospital of the West Indies, and other different private hospitals and clinics. With a national shortage of nurses which is one of the major challenge faced in the healthcare sector, opportunities exist across both public and private sectors.
Public sector organizations
1. Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW): As the governing body for health services, the ministry posts jobs for nurses and other healthcare professionals across the public health system.
2. Regional Health Authorities (RHAs): In the regional health authorities nursing jobs are managed and posted by the four RHAs.
- Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA): They help serves parishes including Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth. Recent listings include roles at Mandeville Regional Hospital and May Pen Hospital.
- South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA): They serves the Corporate Area and other eastern parishes.
- North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA): Covers St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland.
- Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA): They manages hospitals and health centers in western Jamaica.
3. University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI): As a major teaching hospital in Kingston, it has its own Department of Nursing and frequently recruits for specialized nursing positions and patient care assistants.
Private and specialized healthcare providers
1. Royale Winchester Hospital Group: This private group has multiple locations, including in Kingston and Savanna-la-Mar, and has recently recruited for nurses and other medical staff.
2. Andrews Memorial Hospital: Andrew memorial hospital is one of the private hospital in Kingston that has held recent hiring events for registered nurses.
3. Athena Care: This Athena healthcare provider has advertised job opportunity for nurses in multiple cities in Jamaica, such as Kingston, Montego Bay, and Mandeville.
4. Specialized clinics: In addition to hospitals, there are other organizations with specific healthcare needs that also hire nurses. They include:
- J. Wray & Nephew: The company has previously advertised for an Occupational Health Nurse in Jamaica.
- Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF): JCF Hires for clinical psychology and dental nurse roles, and may have needs for other nursing specialities.
Requirements, Skills and Certification Mandatory for Healthcare and Nursing Jobs
1. Education: Nurses must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) or a certificate in nursing is the minimum educational requirement.
2. Licensing: You must be registered with the Nursing Council of Jamaica and hold a current certificate of registration.
3. Examination: All general nurses must pass the Regional Examination for Nurses Registration (RENR) to be eligible to practice in Jamaica.
4. Experience: You must have a minimum of two years of working experience which will help give you an edge among others peers.
Additional skills and certification
1. Phlebotomy/Venepuncture: certificate in venipuncture is frequently requested. So it’s advisable for all nurse to get it
2. HIV/AIDS Knowledge: Positions may require up-to-date knowledge of HIV/AIDS infections, treatment, and related patient care issues.
3. Basic Life Support (BLS): A BLS which is the basic life support certificate is considered a valuable asset.
4. Clinical Skills: having a strong clinical nursing skills and sound judgment are essential.
Salary For Nurses in Jamaica
Nurse salaries in Jamaica is usually not the same, monthly earnings for registered nurses in some locations is between JMD 88,000 and JMD 96,000 per month in certain private hospitals, while those in big hospital like the University Hospital of the West Indies might get a monthly range of JMD 317,000, while for annual salaries can be around JMD 1 million to JMD 2 million depending on the employer and experience. Public sector and private sector positions differ in pay scales, and higher levels of education and specialized roles may lead to greater earning potential.
Challenges for Nurses
The challenges nurses face is far more than the benefits, which has also influenced the critical nursing shortage and theses challenges are:
1. There’s low wages and financial strain: Low salaries are one of the main factors driving nurses to leave Jamaica. In 2016, the Nurses Association of Jamaica noted that the salary for entry-level public-sector nurses was below J$1 million, which was barely livable after factoring in student loan debt.
2. There’s poor working environment: Nurses face limited resources and are often forced to work additional shifts due to severe understaffing. The public healthcare system is also plagued by infrastructure issues, with reports of insufficient protective gear, which became a grave concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Nursing “brain drain”: The migration of nurses is a long-standing issue in Jamaica, with hundreds applying for verification of licensure to work abroad each year. Wealthier countries actively recruit Jamaican nurses, exacerbating the local shortage and creating a difficult cycle of high turnover.
4. Job placement issues for new graduates: Despite the severe shortage, many new nursing graduates struggle to find public sector jobs. This reflects a disconnect between the need for nurses and the government’s capacity to create enough pensionable posts, leaving graduates frustrated and turning to private facilities or overseas employment.
5. There’s stress at nurses workplace: The combination of an understaffed environment, high workload, and limited resources can affect them physically and mentally. This can leads to significant stress and burnout among nurses and also decline in quality care of patient.
Benefits for Nurses in Jamaica
1. You get to Contribute to national health: Nurses play there role in providing care to the underserved and rural communities. This is done by focusing on preventive care and early intervention, they help reduce healthcare costs and promote economic productivity.
2. Economic potential: While wages can be low, nurses do contribute significantly to Jamaica’s economy. The Jamaica Observer noted the “economic power of care” that nurses possess in boosting productivity and supporting economic stability.
3. There’s investment opportunities: Financial advisors in Jamaica have highlighted opportunities for nurses to build wealth for retirement through investment accounts, such as mutual funds and stocks.
4. Government initiatives: The Ministry of Health and Wellness has made some moves to address the issue, such as securing training agreements with other countries and expanding benefits like security of tenure and housing arrangements. Prescriptive rights for family nurse practitioners were also recently expanded.
5. International recognition: The Nurses Association of Jamaica has been able to secure scholarships for nurses to upgrade their training. Furthermore, training partnerships with international hospitals provide opportunities for nurses to gain experience abroad before returning to work in Jamaica.
Conclusion
The healthcare and nursing sector in Jamaica is in a state of crisis, it’s defined by critical staffing shortages which is caused by poor working conditions. However, the government is aware of the problems and is taking steps to address them through wage increases, infrastructure projects, and international recruitment. For prospective nurses, the Jamaican market offers both significant challenges, such as demanding work and understaffing, and opportunities for those interested in contributing to an evolving system in need of talent.
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