Work with us

Helse Fonna HF consists of four hospitals located in Haugesund, Stord, Odda, and Valen, and four local psychiatric centers (DPS). Helse Fonna covers a region with 180 000 inhabitants and is located between Bergen and Stavanger on the west coast.

We employ approximately 4200 people whose, mission is to provide the best possible care and treatment to our patients – every single day.

Working in Helse Fonna requires the ability always seeking to learn and improve yourself, commitment to our values and ethics, and the motivation for going that extra mile to give our patients the best care possible.

Our staff is our single most important resource. We are working hard to recruit the very best talent, and want to do our absolute best to ensure that all our employees enjoy their work and perform to the best of their ability.

When hiring personnel who do not speak Norwegian well, language training and assessment are added as supplementary elements to the recruitment procedure. All employees must master Norwegian at a level that ensures good interaction and safe professional practice. 

Doctors, nurses, psychologists, other health personnel with patient contact (including documentation obligations), and administrative staff with patient contact must master Norwegian orally and in writing at a B2 level (equivalent to the Bergen test).

Platforms like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer Norwegian courses that are engaging and suitable for beginners to intermediate learners. These apps focus on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Language test

Norwegian language test A1-B2 | HK-dir (hkdir.no)

Courses and test

Norwegian courses (folkeuniversitetet.no)

Placement test (folkeuniversitetet.no)

Practice for the test - Norwegian language test A1-B2 | HK-dir (hkdir.no)

Learn for free

Duolingo - The world's best way to learn a language

Language learning that works (babbel.com)

Lær et språk. Memrise er autentisk, nyttig og tilpasset.

For healthcare professions in Norway, a valid authorization or license from the Norwegian Directorate of Health is required. This confirms that you have the necessary education and qualifications required to practice your profession in Norway. It's important to start the process of securing authorization early, as this can be a time-consuming process.

Authorisation and License for Health Personnel - Helsedirektoratet

To apply for a residence permit in Norway, you must follow a process established by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Here you will find a step-by-step guide on how to proceed.

For certain countries, a visa is also required. Further information about different types of residence permits, visas, regulations and forms can be found at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Nordic citizens do not need a residence permit to stay and work in Norway.

Once the application has been processed, you will receive a response. If the application is approved, you will be informed about how and where you can collect your residence permit.

EEA countries

Citizens from EEA countries (EU and EFTA countries) can register in Norway instead of applying for a work residence permit. EEA citizens should register if they plan to stay and work in Norway for more than three months. This scheme is administered by the police. For detailed information about the registration scheme, please consult the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).

EEA citizens can pre-register online. Subsequently, they are required to appear at the nearest police authority to provide identification and present documentation for their basis of residence.

The documentation requirements for EEA citizens working in Norway include a valid identity card/passport and proof of employment (a form available on the UDI website, completed by the employer) or a work contract compliant with the Working Environment Act.

For shorter work stays, internships and research

For shorter work stays, internships, and research up to 3 months, there are specific regulations for residence permits and visas. If the individual will be in contact with patients, MRSA testing and a tuberculosis test must be completed.

Countrys outside the EEA

For citizens from countries outside the EEA area, as a general rule, a residence permit must be applied for before arriving in Norway. For some countries, a visa for Norway is also required. For more detailed information, please visit the UDI website. Employment documentation is required from the employer, meaning the hiring authority at the clinic/section must complete a specific form for employment offers found on the UDI website.

Links

Immigration to Norway - UDI

Checklists which explain which documents you must hand in with your application - UDI

A police certificate must be provided for positions where it is required for work with children or individuals with developmental disabilities, according to the Health Personnel Act § 20 a.

You can request a certificate online via the police's official website: Police certificate of conduct – Politiet.no.

Upon receipt, the police will issue the certificate digitally. It is then your responsibility to forward or submit this certificate to your supervisor.

It is mandatory to present the police conduct certificate prior to commencing your role. Please ensure the certificate is no more than 3 months old at the start of your employment.

When opening a bank account in Norway, individuals are required to provide their national identity number to the bank. Foreign workers should have a bank account in Norway where their employer can deposit their salary and where authorities can later transfer any overpaid taxes.

It is important that you get the following information registered in the human resource system on your first working day:

• Bank account number
• Telephone number
• Information about next of kind
• Children (with dates of birth)
• Additional employment

Your personal data must always be up to date, and this applies as long as you are employed at Helse Fonna.

Start by researching the market to understand the types of properties available and their prices. You can se the links on the right to find a property. 

Then, secure financing, typically through a mortgage from a Norwegian bank, for which you'll need proof of income and sometimes a down payment. It's recommended to get a 'finansieringsbevis' (financial approval) to show sellers you're a serious buyer. 

Next, find properties you're interested in, attend viewings, and when ready, place a bid through the real estate agent handling the sale. If your bid is accepted, there will be a formal purchase process, including signing a contract and transferring the payment. Remember to consider additional costs like stamp duty and legal fees.

When moving to Norway, you can find job vacancies by visiting relevant websites, like www.finn.no or Haugaland Vekst can help you: Kontakt oss - Haugaland Vekst.

Availability

Norway emphasizes early childhood education, and most children aged 1-5 attend kindergarten. It’s important to apply for a spot as early as possible due to potential waiting lists.

Costs

Inform about the monthly fees, which can vary by municipality but are subsidized by the government to remain affordable for all families.

The Norwegian school system starts with primary school (grades 1-7), lower secondary school (grades 8-10), and upper secondary school (grades 11-13).

International Schools

For families preferring education in English, international schools are a viable option. These often offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Language Support

Children of expats may be entitled to additional Norwegian language lessons to help them integrate into the Norwegian school system.

Engagement

Participating in local leisure activities, volunteering, or language cafes can be excellent ways to meet new people and integrate into Norwegian society.

Expats Networks

There are various organizations and groups aimed specifically at expats in Norway, offering support, socialization, and valuable information for newcomers.

Learning Norwegian

For both adults and children, will facilitate integration and everyday life in Norway. Norwegian language courses are available for adults through various channels, including evening classes, online courses, and more intensive language programs.

Dental services in Norway are provided through both private and public sectors, with the system for adults differing from that for children and adolescents:

Free Dental Care

In Norway, dental services are free for all children and adolescents from birth until the year they turn 18. This includes regular check-ups, preventive treatment, and necessary dental care.

Public Dental Clinics

Free dental services for children and adolescents are mainly offered through public dental clinics spread across the country.

The costs for dental treatment can be high, especially for more complex procedures like root canals, crowns, and implants. Therefore, it's advisable to compare prices and services between different dentists.

The climate in Southwestern Norway is generally mild compared to other parts of the country. This area benefits from the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer waters and air to the Norwegian coast.

Temperature

The region experiences mild winters and cool summers. Winter temperatures rarely drop far below freezing, and summer temperatures usually hover around 15-20°C (59-68°F), though they can occasionally reach up to 25°C (77°F) on warm days.

Precipitation

Southwestern Norway is known for its high levels of precipitation. The rain is spread throughout the year, but autumn and winter tend to be the wettest seasons.

Wind

The area can experience strong winds, especially during winter storms coming off the North Sea.

This mild and wet climate influences the lush landscape of the region, contributing to its renowned natural beauty, with fjords, waterfalls, and green hillsides. It also affects daily life and activities, with residents often dressing in layers and always prepared for rain.