Why a 60-day blueprint matters
In Abu Dhabi, your licence, insurance, and privileges must align before independent practice. Most delays come from missing case logs, unclear scope, or name mismatches. A calm sequence—Residency → DOH licence → credentialing → core privileges → proctored advanced scope—keeps your start predictable and safe.
Week 0 (pre-arrival) — Evidence ready, names exact
Passport-exact name across CV, certificates, regulator portals (all middle names).
DataFlow pack: education (legalised → then translated), recent Good Standing, employment references with DD/MM/YYYY, malpractice schedule.
Case logs (12–24 months) for the scope you’ll request (format: date, indication, procedure, outcomes, complications).
Life-support cards: BLS for all; ACLS/ATLS/PALS as relevant.
Week 1 — Residency, bank, housing; safety orientation
Residency active, digital Emirates ID downloaded; bank IBAN issued; tenancy (Tawtheeq) started.
Hospital orientation: medication safety (independent double-check for insulin/anticoagulants/opioids/concentrated electrolytes), infusion pump library mode, allergy workflows, incident reporting.
Begin unit walk-throughs: theatre lists, recovery bay, high-risk meds storage, emergency cart location.
Week 2 — Credentialing file submitted; core scope requested
Upload credentialing pack; confirm committee date.
Privilege request split into Core (immediate) and Advanced (with proctoring targets).
Agree named proctors and minimum case numbers for advanced items.
Insurance schedule checked: settings include hospital/clinic (and domiciliary if you’ll support home/hotel/yacht work).
Week 3 — SBAR with numbers; documentation alignment
Adopt SBAR with numeric escalation lines (e.g., call if MAP <65 or SpO₂ <92% for 5 min).
Align EMR order sets and care plans so thresholds match handover notes.
For VIP/UHNWI: one clinical voice (you or the medical lead), neutral language in semi-public spaces, no clinical content on personal apps.
Week 4 — Committee & core privileges; supervised advanced starts
Attend privileging committee; core privileges expected.
Begin proctored advanced procedures (named proctor, N cases, timeframe).
Two micro-audits/week: high-risk med IDC compliance and handover notes with numeric lines.
Week 5 — Roster reliability; procedures under supervision
Rota with post-call rules: max 3 consecutive nights, protected 20–30 min handover, escalation backup named.
Document proctored cases with brief outcomes; log any variations to IFU/standard and rationale.
Week 6 — Patient experience & VIP privacy choreography
Clinic flow: room readiness, chaperone offers, quiet briefing rooms; family updates via medical lead only.
Domiciliary (if applicable): insurance rider for home/hotel/yacht, two-person cover for high-risk meds, transfer plan (receiving hospital named).
Week 7 — Advanced scope sign-offs; incident learning
Submit proctoring summaries; seek advanced privilege activation.
Lead one ≤10-minute incident-learning huddle (≤72-hour rule): one change adopted and verified in 14 days.
Week 8 — Independent practice at full scope; stabilize the system
Advanced privileges granted; update insurance and rota accordingly.
Publish a one-page unit standard you’ll own (e.g., sedation safety checklist, peri-op antibiotic timing).
Schedule quarterly case review with quality/leadership.
Medication safety: the four non-negotiables
IDC for insulin, anticoagulants, concentrated electrolytes, opioids.
Pump library for high-risk infusions; hard/soft limits respected.
Read-back for verbal orders; document immediately.
STOP/ESCALATE lines in notes (numeric thresholds, named owner).
Portfolio hygiene that makes committees say “yes”
Case logs with denominator (total cases), complication rate, and peer-review notes.
Copies of device competencies and course certificates aligned to your scope.
Insurance schedule showing limits and settings; tail terms if claims-made.
Clear exception list (what you will not do), reducing ambiguity.
Manager/HR checklist (copy-paste)
Committee date booked; core privileges targeted by end of Week 4.
Proctors named; N cases defined for each advanced item.
Rota: four-week visibility; post-call protected; escalation tree posted.
Insurance start date ≥ clinical start date; domiciliary rider applied if needed.
Doctor’s daily checklist (ward/clinic)
Handover: SBAR + two numeric triggers.
High-risk med given? IDC documented.
Procedure today? IFU steps and timeout completed; proctor sign-off if required.
VIP/Family updates: private room; one clinical voice; documentation closed the same hour.
Common pitfalls—and calm fixes
Offer title ≠ regulator category → amend before credentialing.
Name mismatch across portals → reissue certificates to passport-exact name.
Claims-made with no tail → negotiate run-off in writing before start.
Handover without numbers → add two objective triggers; update EMR templates.