Your varied duties also include simple medical tasks such as taking blood pressure, drawing blood and changing dressings. However, as a Fachfrau / Fachmann Gesundheit, you do not only work with patients. You also carry out administrative and logistical tasks, as well as dealing with orders. Depending on the task, you will work either independently or as part of a team with other professional groups.
Prerequisites
- Completed Sekundarstufe I
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Flexibility and patience
- Physical and mental health and resilience
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Manual dexterity
- Willingness to work at weekends, in the evenings and at night
Education
The three-year apprenticeship begins in August each year and leads to the Eidgenössischen Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ) Fachfrau/Fachmann Gesundheit. Practical training takes place at Zuger Kantonsspital, whilst classroom-based lessons are held at the GIBZ vocational school in Zug. Students have the option of attending Bili classes, in which case part of the teaching is conducted in English. The Berufsmatura can be completed whilst working, provided the student meets the necessary academic requirements. Lessons then take place exclusively in Sursee.
A trainee’s daily report
What is your day-to-day routine like during your training?
"As a Fachfrau Gesundheit EFZ, my work mainly involves caring for and looking after patients. However, I am also responsible for administrative and domestic tasks. My day-to-day work is very varied – no two days are the same. You learn something new with every new situation."
What did you find particularly challenging during your training?
"Every day, you meet new people. Some are friendly, approachable and ‘easy’ to look after. Others are demanding or react irritably. This can be very demanding in a care role. The fact that you are constantly faced with new situations and a wide variety of patients is a challenge in our profession. But that is precisely what makes it so exciting."
Why did you choose this training programme?
"The course provides a solid foundation that leads to a wide variety of careers in the healthcare sector. It has always been clear to me that I want to work with people. It was also important to me that the work was varied and offered plenty of opportunities for further training."
Opportunities for development
- Work in various healthcare institutions such as acute care hospitals, care homes for the elderly, home care services and psychiatric units
- Diploma programmes, for example in nursing, surgical technology, emergency medical services or radiology
- University of Applied Sciences degree programmes in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing or midwifery (with Berufsmatura)