educatioN of healthcare professionals in the slovak republic

© 2006 MZ SR

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TRAINING
DOCTOR TRAINING
DENTAL PRACTITIONER, DENTAL HYGENIST AND DENTAL TECHNICIAN TRAINING
PHARMACIST TRAINING  
NURSE, MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND SANITARIAN TRAINING
MIDWIFE TRAINING
PHYSIOTHERPAPIST AND MASSEUR TRAINING
HEALTH RESCUE WORKER TRAINING
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN TRAINING
RADIOLOGY TECHNICIAN TRAINING
OPTICIAN AND OPTHOMETRIST TRAINING
ORTHOPAEDIC TECHNICIAN TRAINING
NUTRITION ASSISTANT TRAINING
PUBLIC HEALTH TRAINING
PSYCHOLOGIST, SPEECH THERAPIST AND REMEDIAL PEDAGOGY TRAINING
ACCREDITATION
FINANCE FOR THE EDUCTION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
CONTINUING EDUCATION
RECOGNITION OF EDUCATION
CONFORMITY CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

Annex 1   
The list of Secondary Health Schools in the Slovak Republic

Annex 2
The list of universities in the Slovak Republic focussed on medical studies  

Annex 3
References 

introduction

Protection and strengthening of human health plays an important part in our society. The health professional who performs his work in his relevant medical field, plays a crucial role in this process. Health professions are varied and are constantly developing just like the society itself. The year 1951 was the turning point in the development of institutionalized medical education in modern history.

The medical educational system of this period comprised of secondary health schools, which were transferred in 1953 with definite effect under the jurisdiction of medicine department and educational establishments for further doctor, pharmacist and middle medical staff training. The mission of these educational establishments was, and in principal still is the provision of highly skilled and trained healthcare professionals with the emphasis on high professionalism, strong moral belief, empathy, a ready and creative approach towards individuals and groups in varied challenging everyday situations.  In the same year – 1st of May 1953 – was also established the Medical Authority Educational Centre for doctor training. Later under different names (Slovak institute for doctor training – 1956, Institute for further education of doctors and pharmacists – 1964).  For nurses, midwives and other categories of middle medical staff started the institutionalization of further education in 1960 by the establishment of Institute for further education of middle medical staff.  In 1991 were both establishments transformed into one called The institute for further education of healthcare professionals. Later, in 1998 it was changed to Slovak postgraduate academy of medicine. The Issue of legislation No. 131/2002 about universities enabled another transformation of this education establishment into education establishment of university standard called the Slovak Health University in Bratislava. The Slovak Health University provides university education and further education of healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals can achieve qualifications for medical profession by getting a level I. or level II. university education in accredited fields of study in universities or by getting a higher vocational training, full secondary vocational training or secondary vocational training in medical fields of study classed under secondary health  schools. 

From 2003 the secondary medical schools went under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic handles the vocational element of education, it determines the network of study fields and can both include and exclude  secondary health schools from the network in the Slovak Republic.   

Subsequent to primary formal health qualifications further education of health professionals is provided by
•	Specialized study
•	Training for certified activities
•	Continuing education

In connection to democratic changes in society and changes in the healthcare system was abolished in 2004 the monopoly system in the institutional set up of medical educational establishment for further education of health professional and plurality was introduced into the system of medical education. 

To ensure continuity, especially the specialized study of healthcare professionals, it was stipulated in relevant legislation, that the Slovak Health University can provide study programs for further education of healthcare professionals without the accreditation from the Accreditation Committee of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic until the end of 2006.  

All these changes should guarantee a qualitatively higher level of qualifications and skills, as well as personal abilities of healthcare professionals with full awareness of all needs for the further education of healthcare professionals with the aim to offer qualified and quality healthcare The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic is working on full implementation of plurality of educational establishments focused on specialized study. First educational establishments plan to get accreditation in 2006 through the Accreditation committee of the MZ SR for further education of healthcare professionals (www.health.gov.sk), by doing this they will abolish the 50 years of the Slovak Health University monopoly in Bratislava, previously the only place providing this study.   

MEDICAL PROFESSIONS

In the Slovak Republic provide healthcare and render health prevention, professional medical advice, handling medication and medical devices and the control and supervision in the provision of health care and health prevention following healthcare professionals: 
•	Doctor
•	Dental Practitioner
•	Pharmacist
•	Nurse
•	Midwife
•	Physiotherapist
•	Public health worker
•	Psychologist
•	Speech therapist 
•	Remedial teacher
•	Radiology technician 
•	Health rescue worker
•	Dental hygienist
•	Hygiene and epidemiology assistant
•	Nutrition assistant
•	Medical assistant
•	Optometrist 
•	Optician
•	Dental technician
•	Orthopaedic technician
•	Masseur
•	Sanitarian
•	Laboratory technician
•	Technician of laboratory medicine
-	Medical-technical laboratory technician
-	Medical laboratory technician
-	Pharmaceutical laboratory technician
•	possibly also special teacher, biologist
       physicist, chemist, geneticist

Most healthcare professionals prepare for their medical career in secondary health schools (Annex 1) and in bachelor’s, master´s and doctor’s university degrees in medical faculties of universities, nursing faculties of universities or university faculties of healthcare (Annex 2) in the Slovak Republic.  

After they finish their training in secondary health schools or some level of training in universities of the Slovak Republic medical professionals focus on selected specialized professions or studies in so called specialized training and improve so much, that they will be able to practice independently. 

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TRAINING

Doctor training

For citizens of the Slovak Republic to qualify as a doctor, a level II. doctor study program university education is required  The field of study in which makes this possible in the Slovak Republic to achieve this education, and the EU considers this study equal to comparable study in all other member states, is called general medicine.

The general medicine field of study should take six years and include at least 5500 hours of theoretical and practical training when studying full time, and its successful graduation leads to the acquisition of academic title doctor of general medicine (in short “MUDr.”)  

Currently can one achieve this education in the SR at
•	Lekárska fakulta Univerzity Komenského v Bratislave (www.fmed.uniba.sk) - (Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava (www.fmed.uniba.sk)
•	Jesseniova Lekárska fakulta v Martine Univerzity Komenského v Bratislave (www.jfmed.uniba.sk) – (Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (www.fmed.uniba.sk))
•	Lekárska fakulta Univerzity Pavla Jozefa Šafárika v Košiciach (www.medic.upjs.sk) - (Pavol Jozek Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice)

Should a doctor want to practice specialized medicine, he needs to get a diploma for further specialization. This specialized study should according to regulation EC 93/16/EEC follow the general medicine doctor training and last at least three years.  

After the graduation from the specialized study the doctor is entitled to use the professional title specialist doctor linked with the name of the relevant specialization field, at present there is 105 of these fields.

It should be known, that the actual length of specialized study and the exact name of the specialization field tend to be different as the generally known and used abbreviated title.  For instance the specialized study for ‘anaesthetist’ takes in the Slovak Republic at least 5 years and the full title of specialization that the doctor gains after graduating from this subject is anaesthesia and intensive medicine.   We could apply this rule when talking about most of the specialized fields for doctors. 

The actual length of specialized study in individual specialized fields which will be obligatory for all education institutions wanting to provide this study is proposed to the health minister by the Accreditation Committee of The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic for further education of healthcare professionals.   

The minimal duration that the Accreditation Committee has to respect when deciding about the length of specialized study with regards to relevant EU directives and exact title of individual specializations of doctors can be found in Annex 2, Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 743/2004 Coll. on the system of further education of healthcare professionals, system of specialized fields of study and system of certified activities according to amended legislation. 

Awarding a diploma on specialization allows the doctor to apply to the Slovak Chamber of Medicine (www.lekom.sk) for a licence to practice as a doctor under his own name and under own responsibility.
 
If a doctor wants to run his own practice, he needs to show this licence to the relevant (according to the place of the practice) regional authority – to the doctor of regional authority with the application for running a practice.  

For instance, to practice as an adult general practitioner it is necessary, after gaining an academic title MUDr. ,to further specialize by studying the field of general medicine for at least another three years, gain a diploma for general medicine specialization and only then can one apply to the Slovak Chamber of Medicine for a licence and the regional authority for permission. 

A doctor can gain a diploma on specialization in some of the specialized fields of study for doctors at the 
•	Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Specialized Medicine in Bratislava (www.szu.sk)

Even after gaining this specialization and while practising this specialized medicine based on the diploma for further specialization can a doctor narrow his work needed in a given specialization and gain a certificate for performing certified activities (generally it’s mainly a perfection of some diagnostic or medical method , for instance endoscophy, ultrasonography etc.)  

The Regulation of the Government No. 743/2004 Coll. as amended offers training for doctors in 29 certified activities.

Apart from the specialized study in medicine and certified training of doctors we can also come across the term postgraduate training.  

The current postgraduate training should not be mixed with specialized training, even though it’s true that in the past the legislation allowed for a greater diffusion. 

According to the University Legislation Act (No. 131/2002 Coll.) within the postgraduate doctor training can be achieved another level of university education – a level III. in a particular doctoral degree (PhD.), which is based mainly on the actual contribution of the student, the result of scientific research and individual creative work in the field of science or technology.

Advancing to professor or college lecturer level by fulfilling the exact criteria in postgraduate doctor training one can also achieve the scientific-educational title ,university lecturer’ or  ,professor’.

The specialized study and certified doctor training as a part of further education of healthcare professionals is more focused on specialist training oriented to provide quality healthcare than scientific research in this field and educational work at university. 

Therefore we have to separate the specialist doctor training in healthcare from the training of doctors - scientists and doctors – lecturers for universities, which is also required, but not in such numbers and scale as the need for specialist doctors.  

Dental practitioner, dental hygienist and dental technician training

For citizens of the Slovak Republic to qualify as a dental practitioner it is required a level II. university education.  In doctor study programme in the study field of dentistry, which lasts for six years if studying full time and is made up from theoretical and practical training. 

Only the study of dentistry is considered by EU equal to comparable studies in all other member states, it is aimed at the training of dental practitioner to perform dentistry work. Successful graduation leads to the acquisition of academic title doctor of dentistry (in short “MDDr.”).   
At the moment one can achieve this education in SR at
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava (www.fmed.uniba.sk)
•	Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice (www.medic.upjs.sk)

Before the accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU on the 1st may 2004, specialist training for the specialized work linked with tooth care, mouth care and soft tissues was considerably different as it was and is in the EU. 

Present study (university degree in stomatology ) was according to the evaluation of the EU committee representatives too theoretical and had to be supplemented by a specialized study in a specialized stomatology field at the time when the dental practitioner should have been, having finished his university education, already practising dentistry.

Therefore the Slovak Republic agreed to gradual dampening of the specialized study in the specialized stomatology field, that should lead to its total liquidation around the year 2015.  

This should allow for the following: The students studying at the incompatible stomatology course cancelled by EU has the possibility to supplement their study by vital practical abilities and knowledge to the requested standard and after gaining a diploma for specialization in stomatology could start their practice as dental practitioners. 

Specialized study in the field of stomatology can be replaced according to relevant EU directives by at least 3 years of practical training experience under the guidance of a doctor specialized in this field.   

Therefore we can state that for one to apply to the Slovak Chamber of dental practitioners (www.skzl.sk) for a licence to practice as a dental practitioner requires 
•	the holder of a diploma for so called pregraduate study in the new doctor study program in the study field of dentistry with the title MDDr.,  
•	the holder of a diploma in so called pregraduate study in the cancelled doctor course in stomatology with the title MUDr., and specialized diploma in  stomatology, 
•	the holder of a diploma of so called pregraduate study in the cancelled doctor course in stomatology with the title MUDr. and a confirmation of about at least 3 years of practical training experience in the last 5 years under the supervision of a doctor (MUDr.) specialized in the field of stomatology. 

Thereafter, it is necessary for the applicant to show the gained licence to the relevant (according to the place of the practice) regional authority – to the doctor of regional authority with the application for running a practice.  

Dental practitioner MDDr., doctor MUDr. with a specialized diploma in stomatology or doctor MUDr. with at least 3 years of practical training experience in the last 5 years under the supervision of a doctor (MUDr.) specialized in stomatology can further specialize in four specialized fields, and these are:   
•	Oral surgery 
•	Orthodontics
•	Child dentistry and
•	Revisory dentistry. 

A dental practitioner and stomatologist can gain a diploma of specialization in various fields of study for dental practitioner at the
•	Slovak Health University, Faculty of Specialized Medicine in Bratislava (www.szu.sk)

After gaining a specialization in one of the four fields or even during the specialized study where possible, can a dental practitioner reduce the work needed for a given specialization and gain a certificate for performing certified activities. The Regulation of the Government No. 743/2004 Coll. offers training for dental practitioners in four certified professions:
•	Dento-alveolar surgery
•	Oral cavity mucous membrane disorders
•	Oral implantology and 
•	Mucogingival surgery.

In connection with the profession of dental practitioner we need to mention that a dental practitioner cooperates with dental hygienists and dental technicians.
	
The profession of dental hygienist is a profession orientated mainly on the systematic preventive care of the mouth, practising procedures and techniques of oral hygiene and collective health education aimed at cavity prevention, tooth examination and the examination of dental decay.

To practice as a dental hygienist one is requested to achieve a higher specialized vocational training in dental hygiene in a relevant secondary medical school, or get a university level I. education in a bachelor study program in dental hygiene. 

One can currently get the requested higher vocational education in the SR in the field of dental hygiene at 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary helath school in Zvolen, J. Kozaceka 4
and a level I. university education in a bachelor study program in dental hygiene at 
•	Presov University, Faculty of Healthcare, Presov.  

Dental technician designs solutions in the filed of fixed and removable dentures and orthodontics, he recommends suitable construction solutions for making standard and above standard dentures, determines the colour and shape of finished teeth; takes part in the development of dental materials, dental tools and instruments and is responsible for their upkeep. The dental technician works alongside a dentist.  To practise as a dental technician one is requested to achieve a higher specialized vocational training as a dental technician or get a full secondary vocational training as a dental technician.  

One can currently get the requested higher vocational education as a dental technician in the SR at
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17
•	Secondary health schol in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 23 
and a full higher specialized vocational training as a dental technician at
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Žilina, Hlboka cesta 23.

Pharmacist training

To practice as a pharmacist one requires a level II. university education, in a master study programme of pharmacy.   To qualify in pharmacy should take five years when studying full time, and should include at least four years of theoretical and at least six months of practical training in a public or hospital pharmacy.  Successful graduation leads to the acquisition of academic title Mgr. 

Currently can one achieve this education in the SR at
Comenius University, Pharmaceutical Faculty in Bratislava (www.fpharm.uniba.sk)

The minimal requirements for the content of pharmaceutical university degree are laid down in the relevant EU directives and these are reflected into the provisions of Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 742/2004 Coll. on the qualifications of healthcare professionals.

The pharmacists can further train in specialized work activities in six specialized fields, and these are:  
•	Pharmaceutical control and provision of medication quality
•	Pharmaceutical technology
•	Pharmaceutics
•	Clinical pharmacology
•	Follow up pharmacology and 
•	Radiopharmacology technology.

Currently, a pharmacist can only qualify for a diploma for specialization in these fields at 
•	Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Specialized Medicine in Bratislava (www.szu.sk)

One can also narrow ones work needed in a given specialization and gain a certificate for performing certified activity in that particular specialization. The Regulation of the Government No. 743/2004 Coll. offers pharmacists a training in five certified professions, these are:
•	In vitro diagnostic devices  
•	PharmacoEconomics
•	Clinical trials of products and medications
•	Preparation of cytostatics
•	Transfusion medication quality management.

The Slovak Chamber of pharmacists (www.slek.sk) issues a licence to practice as a pharmacist to people who gained a diploma for health profession of pharmacist, and have applied for this licence. 

Licence for provision of healthcare in public pharmacy, or a branch of public pharmacy is issued by the relevant regional authority according to the place of the mentioned healthcare facility. The applicant for the licence for provision of healthcare submits this licence to the pharmacist of regional authority, together with the documentation specified in the separate Act No. 140/1998 Coll. about medication and medical devices as amended. 

Nurse, medical assistent and sanitarian training 

For citizens of the Slovak Republic that have never before gained a nurse qualification, under the new legislation to qualify as a nurse requires 
•	a higher vocational education as a trained general nurse in a relevant secondary health school in the Slovak Republic or
•	a level I. university education in a bachelor study program in nursing (Bc.).

Both these programs have to comply with the EU directive stating that the nursing studies have to take at least three years when studying full time and include 4600 hours, which are equally split into theoretical and practical training. 

Since the nurse training similarly to the dental practitioner training was considerably different to EU expectations before the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU on the 1st may 2004, the Slovak Republic had to gradually dampen the full secondary vocational training in nursing and leave only a higher vocational education. 

Only the higher vocational education in general nursing in secondary health schools was rated by the evaluation mission of the European commission TAIEX in 2002 as fully compatible with the expectations of EU. The evaluation mission reproached the nurse training in the full secondary vocational education in Slovak secondary medical schools for starting the training for such an arduous profession already before the nurses seventeenth year of age, which it considered unacceptable.  

In the Accession Treaty of the Slovak Republic into the European Union nurse training gained or nurse training started within the territory of Slovak Republic before the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU in nonconforming program classed as a training, based on which the nurse continues in this medical profession and all member states will consider her training equivalent, if she worked in the Slovak Republic in general nursing for at least three years within the last five years. 

Considering this, it follows that nurses, who gained their training according to present regulations, can continue working in the Slovak Republic in specialized nursing work in present scope without having to supplement their education with a university nursing degree (for details refer to temporary provisions of the Regulation of the Government No.156/2002 Coll. later Regulation of the Government No. 212/2004 Coll. and then Regulation of the Government No. 742/2004 Coll. about the qualifications for medical profession.).

The newly determined expectations for nursing qualifications therefore only apply to citizens that never previously worked as nurses and after the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU have decided or will decide to train for this medical profession within our territory.  

At the moment in the Slovak Republic offer higher vocational education in general nurse training 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Strecnianska 18
•	Secondary health school of Peter Fourier in Bratislava, Palackeho 1
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Nitra, Farska 23
•	Secondary health school in Presov, Sladkovicova 36
•	Secondary health school in Trencin, J. Braneckeho 4
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school of St. Alzbeta in Kosice, Mäsiarska 25 
•	Secondary health school in Roznava, Safarikova 3
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 23 
•	Secondary health school of M.T. Schererovej in Ruzomberok, Doncova 7

A level I. University education in a bachelor study program in the field of nursing is offered by
•	Slovak Health University in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava (www.fmed.uniba.sk)
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (www.fmed.uniba.sk)
•	Pavol Jozek Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice
•	Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies 
•	Catholic university in Ruzomberok, the Pedagogical Faculty 
•	University of Konstantin Filozof in Nitra, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Healthcare
•	St. Alzbeta Univesity of Healthcare and Social Studies in Bratislava Presovska University in Presov, the Faculty of Healthcare
•	Trencin University of Alexander Dubcek in Trencin, the Institute of Healthcare and Nursing

After gaining a level I. university degree in bachelor study program of nursing can nurses in the Slovak Republic further enhance the level of study by studying a level II. masters degree in nursing.  The mentioned level II. university degree is not conditional for the nursing profession.

The Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives (www.sksapa.sk) issues a licence to work in a health profession nurse to citizen who gained or were admitted nursing qualifications, and have applied for this licence. The Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives issues nurses also a licence for independent nursing practice in the patient’s apartment or healthcare establishment of other provider (§ 10 and § 68 sec. 1 letter a) of Act No. 578/2004 Coll. on healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, professional healthcare organizations and on the Amendment and Supplementation of Certain Acts).  

Should the nurse intends to under her own name and under own responsibility, run their own agency for home nursing care or nursing home, its vital to submit the licence issued by the chamber to the relevant (according to the place of the practice) regional authority (best to the nurse of regional authority) with the application for the running one of the above mentioned healthcare facilities. 

The nurse provides basic and specialized nursing care using the method of nursing process. The scope of nursing practice is stipulated by the Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 364/2005 Coll., which establishes the scope of nursing practice provided by nurse independently or cooperating with a doctor and the scope of nursing practice provided by midwife independently or with cooperation with a doctor.

In connection with the medical profession of nurse we also need to mention the medical professions of medical assistant and sanitarian, which work closely with the nurse. 

Medical Assistants provide basic nursing care under the specialized supervision of the nurse and cooperate by specialized and nursing care in healthcare using the method of nursing process and participate in specialized administrative and documentation work of healthcare providers. 

This study takes place in relevant secondary health schools in the Slovak Republic in a form of full higher specialized vocational training and the medical assistant is trained to be able to cooperate in basic nursing activities with the nurse. Considering relevant EU directives on minimal requirements for the content of nurse training, so far it is not assumed that the medical assistant could take over and independently execute some of the competencies of the nurse, as for instance blood taking for tests, cooperation by blood transfusion, catheter insertion in women etc., but he should cooperate with the nurse in complete hygienic care, the prevention of bed sores, checking the drinking schedule etc. Establishment of this new study will help nurses with some of their present activities. 

The scope of the medical assistant practice is determined in the Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 321/2005 Coll. on the scope of practice in some health professions.  

At the moment one can achieve the qualifications for the profession of medical assistant in the SR at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Strecnianska 18
•	Secondary health school of Peter Fourier in Bratislava, Palackeho 1
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Dunajska Streda, Sportova 394/34
•	Secondary health school in Skalica, Lichardova 1
•	Secondary health school in Nitra, Farska 23
•	Secondary health school in Nove Zamky, Pod kalvariou 1
•	Secondary health school of Sv. Vincent de Paul in Topolcany, 17.Novembra 1056
•	Secondary health school in Trencin, Braneckeho 4
•	Secondary health school in Povazska Bystrica, Odborov 341/2
•	Secondary  health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Lucenec, Lucna 2
•	Secondary health school in Zvolen, J. Kozaceka 4
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboká cesta 23.
•	Secondary health school in Dolny Kubin, M. Hattalu 2149
•	Secondary health school in Liptovsky Mikulas, Sturova 1989
•	Secondary health school of M.T. Schererova in Ruzomberok, Doncova 1
•	Secondary health school of St.  Frantisek from Assisi in Cadca, Horna 137
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40
•	Secondary health school of St.  Alzbeta in Kosice, Mäsiarska 25
•	Secondary health school in Michalovce, Masarykova 27
•	Secondary health school in Roznava, Safarikova 3
•	Secondary health school of St.  Bazil Velky in Presov, Kmetovo stromoradie 1
•	Secondary health school in Presov, Sladkovicova 36
•	Secondary health school in Humenne, Lipova 32
•	Secondary health school of S. Klubert in Levoca, Klastorska 24/a
•	Secondary health school in Poprad, Levocska 5
•	Secondary health school in Svidnik, Sovetskych hrdinov 8 
With the health profession of nurse and medical assistant is closely linked the medical profession of sanitarian. A sanitarian has a wide use in healthcare establishment. He performs auxiliary work linked with the hygiene of the departments of healthcare establishment, he is responsible for the cleanliness in the kitchen, he transports biological and medical material, handles laundry, performs mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the beds etc. Under the professional supervision of nurse he turns the patient, moves and transports him within the operating department etc.    

To qualify as a sanitarian one is requested to achieve a secondary vocational training sanitarian, which can be obtained at present at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Strecnianska 18
•	Secondary health school of Peter Fourier in Bratislava, Palackeho 1
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Dunajska Streda, Sportova 394/34
•	Secondary health school in Skalica, Lichardova 1
•	Secondary health school in Nitra, Farska 23
•	Secondary health school in Nove Zamky, Pod kalvariou 1
•	Secondary health school of St.  Vincent de Paul in Topolcany, 17.Novembra 1056
•	Secondary health school in Trencin, Braneckeho 4
•	Secondary health school in Povazska Bystrica, Odborov 341/2
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Lucenec, Lucna 2
•	Secondary health school in Zvolen, J. Kozaceka 4
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 23 
•	Secondary health school in Dolny Kubin, M. Hattalu 2149
•	Secondary health school in Liptovsky Mikulas, Sturova 1989
•	Secondary health school of M.T. Schererova in Ruzomberok, Doncova 1
•	Secondary health school of St. Frantisek from Assisi in Cadca, Horna 137
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40
•	Secondary health school of St.  Alzbety in Kosice, Mäsiarska 25
•	Secondary health school in Michalovce, Masarykova 27
•	Secondary health school in Roznava, Safarikova 3
•	Secondary health of St.  Bazil Velky in Presov, Kmetovo Stromoradie 1, 
•	Secondary health school in Presov, Sladkovicova 36 
•	Secondary health school in Humenne, Lipova 32
•	Secondary health school of S. Klubert in Levoca, Klastorska 24/a
•	Secondary health school in Poprad, Levocska 5
•	Secondary health school in Svidnik, Sovetskych hrdinov 8 

Midwives training

Citizens of the Slovak Republic that have never worked as a midwife or a nurse, under the new legislation to qualify as a midwife are required to achieve 
a higher vocational education as a trained midwife in a relevant secondary health school in the Slovak Republic or 
a level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of midwifery (Bc.).

Both these programs have to comply with the EU directive stating that the midwifery studies have to take at least three years when studying full time.

Currently one can not achieve the qualification in the field of trained midwife in the Slovak Republic at any secondary medical school. 
In 2004 due to high interest for the bachelor degree at universities has the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic decided to remove this field of study from the secondary health network.  

Despite this fact a higher vocational education in the field of trained midwife in the Slovak Republic can be achieved via the courses that are currently running and have started before the abolishment 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Strecnianska 18
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Nitra, Farska 23
•	Secondary health school of St. Vincent de Paul in Topolcany, 17.Novembra 1056
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 4 
•	Secondary health school in Roznava, Safarikova 3
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40
•	Secondary health school in Presov, Sladkovicova 36

A level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of midwifery can be achieved in Slovak Republic at 
•	Slovak Health University in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies
•	Comenius University Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava 
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 
•	Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice
•	Presov University in Presov, the Faculty of Healthcare

Also the midwife training similarly to the nurse training was considerably different to EU expectations before the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU on the 1st may 2004. The Slovak Republic had to gradually dampen the full secondary vocational training in midwifery and could leave only a higher vocational education in this type of school. Despite the fact that this study conforms to EU directives, due to high interest for the bachelor degree at universities this field of study has been removed from secondary health schools and now takes form as a university study only. 

In the Accession Treaty of the Slovak Republic into the European Union is the women nurse training gained or midwife training started within the territory of the Slovak Republic before the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU in nonconforming program classed as a training, based on which can a nurse continue in the medical profession of midwife and all member states will consider her training equivalent, if she had worked in the Slovak Republic in midwifery for at least three years within the last five years. 

With this in mind, midwives that gained their training according to present regulations, can continue working in the Slovak Republic in specialized midwifery in present scope without having to supplement their education (for details refer to temporary provisions of the Regulation of the Government No. 212/2004 Coll. and then Regulation of the Government No. 742/2004 Coll. on the qualifications for medical profession.).

The newly determined expectations for midwifery qualifications therefore only apply to citizens that never previously worked as nurses or midwives and after the entry of the Slovak Republic into EU have decided or will decide to train for this medical profession within our territory.   

The Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives (www.sksapa.sk) issues a licence to work in a medical profession midwife to citizens who gained or were granted midwifery qualifications, and have applied for this licence. The Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives issues midwives also a licence for independent midwifery practice in the person’s or patient’s apartment or healthcare establishment of other provider (§ 10 and § 68 sec. 1 letter a) of Act No. 578/2004 Coll. on healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, professional healthcare organizations and on the Amendment and Supplementation of Certain Acts). 

The scope of the nursing practice of midwife is stipulated by the Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 364/2005 Coll., which establishes the range of nursing practice provided by nurse independently or cooperating with a doctor and the scope of nursing practice provided by midwifes independently or with cooperation with a doctor.

Physiotherapist and masseur training

Physiotherapist is a health professional that performs activities aimed at the correction of the locomotive apparatus function disorders using physiotherapeutic, kinezio-therapeutic, and reduction methods of health afflictions.  

When it comes to qualify as a physiotherapist, one requires either the acquisition of 
•	a higher specialized vocational training in the trained physiotherapist field of study at the relevant secondary health school  in the Slovak Republic,  
•	a level I. university education in a bachelor study program of physiotherapy or
•	a level II. university education in a master study program of physiotherapy.    

At the moment in the Slovak Republic offer higher vocational education of physiotherapy 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40

A level I. university education in a bachelor study program of physiotherapy can be obtained in the Slovak Republic at 
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (www.fmed.uniba.sk)
•	Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies 
•	Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice
•	Slovak medical university in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies

and a level II. university education  in a master study program of physiotherapy at   
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 
•	Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies
•	Slovak Health University in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies

In the field of physiotherapy one can continue performing specialized work activities within the scope of their achieved education for providers of healthcare also citizens that achieved their training according to present legislation in the study fields of rehabilitation worker or rehabilitation nurse in secondary health schools in the Slovak Republic. 

The licence for an independent medical practice for people that achieved qualifications for performing the profession of physiotherapist upon request issues the Slovak Chamber of other healthcare professionals, laboratory technicians, assistants and technicians (www.skizpalt.sk). 

In connection with the medical profession of physiotherapist we also need to mention the medical profession of masseur. In comparison to a physiotherapist has masseur lower healthcare qualification.  To qualify as a masseur one needs to gain full secondary education in one of the secondary health schools, in the field of masseur. 

At the moment one can achieve full secondary education in the field of masseur at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 23 
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40
•	Secondary health school in Michalovce, Masarykova 27
•	Secondary health school of S. Klubert in Levoca, Klastorska 24/a (also masseur for visually impaired students)
•	Secondary health school in Nove Zamky, Pod kalvariou 1
•	Secondary health school in Liptovsky Mikulas, Sturova 1989

Health rescue worker training

To perform qualified work within the emergency medical services can both doctors with relevant qualification (in the specialized field of emergency medicine, possibly also in the field of anaesthesiology and intensive medicine) and trained mainly health rescue worker. To gain a full qualification for a medical profession of health rescue worker on needs to achieve
•	a full secondary vocational training in the field of health rescue worker in the relevant secondary health school, 
•	a higher specialized vocational training in the field of health rescue worker in the relevant secondary health school or  
•	a level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of emergency healthcare.

One can currently get the requested higher vocational education in the SR in the field of trained health rescue worker and a full secondary vocational training in the field of health rescue worker at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Strecnianska 18
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Kukucinova 40
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
a level I. university education in a bachelor study program in emergency healthcare at 
•	Slovak Health university in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies
•	University of Konstantin Filozof in Nitra, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Healthcare
•	Presov university in Presov, the Faculty of Healthcare

Due to lack of qualified health rescue workers in healthcare and to provide the needed specialized activities of health rescue worker in emergency services in connection with their modernization, has the Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 741/2004 Coll. as amended, which determines some details regarding emergency services, accepted, that if a provider of emergency services has not got the opportunity to employ qualified health rescue worker, he can instead of him also use a nurse with at least three years of medical practice within an institutional medical establishment.     
 
The scope of the health rescue worker practice is determined in the Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 321/2005 Coll. on the scope of practice in some medical professions. 

Laboratory technician training

To qualify in the profession of Technician of laboratory medicine one requires a level II. university education, a master degree, field of study laboratory examination techniques.

At the moment one can achieve this education at
•	 Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies 
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 

To qualify in the profession of medical-technical laboratory technician one requires Level I. university education, bachelor degree, field of study laboratory examination techniques or the acquisition of higher vocational education in the field of medical-technical laboratory technician. 

At the moment can one achieve the requested level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of laboratory examination techniques at 
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 
•	Pavol Jozek Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice
•	Trnava University in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies 
and higher vocational education in the field of trained medical-technical laboratory technician 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Trencin, Braneckeho 4
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

To qualify as a medical laboratory technician one is requested to achieve full secondary vocational training in the field of medical laboratory technician.

At the moment one can achieve full secondary education in the field of medical laboratory technician at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Trencin, Braneckeho 4
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

To qualify as a pharmaceutical laboratory technician one is requested to achieve full secondary vocational training in the field of pharmaceutical laboratory technician.

One can currently get the requested full secondary vocational training in the field of pharmaceutical laboratory technician at 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Trnava, Daxnerova 6
•	Secondary health school in Banska Bystrica, Tajovskeho 24
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

In the laboratories of healthcare providers can perform laboratory activities also other healthcare professionals, such as biologists, chemists, physicist, and geneticists that achieved their education on other than secondary medical schools or medical or healthcare faculties of universities in the SR.  

Radiology technician training

To qualify in the profession of radiology technician one requires level I. university education in bachelor degree of radiology or the acquisition of higher vocational education in the field of registered radiology assistant.  

At the moment can one achieve the requested level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of radiology at 
•	Slovak Health university in Bratislava, the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Specialized Studies
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin
and higher vocational education in the field of trained radiology assistant at 
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

The content of the work of radiology assistant is basic radiology skiagraphy and assistance by more difficult skiascopic examinations with contrast materials or more difficult radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic examinations.

Optician and opthometrist training

To qualify in the profession of optician one requires a full secondary vocational education in the field of optician. 

One can currently get the requested full secondary vocational training in the field of optician at 
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

The field of optician in activated only at one school in the Slovak Republic. This specialization trains the worker to perform qualified work in the opticians.

From the point of view of training he gains skills by making all types of glasses and lenses and by measuring pupils and other facial measurements needed to make glasses.  

The study finished with specialized A levels, which include practical and theoretical part. The graduate of the study field of optician can independently provide medical-technical services to the public in the opticians.

To qualify in the profession of optometrist one requires higher vocational education in the field of opthometrist. 

At the moment one can achieve the required education at
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

Registered optometrist is highly qualified independently working specialist in the field of optics, optometry and management. The specialization is characterized by utter professional expertise in: Assessment and design of glasses by myopia, hypermetrophy, astigmatisms, presbiopy, aphakia after a previous objective refraction finding, objective examination of refraction and measuring of needed parameters for contact lenses application, sight colour blindness exams in recruits, drivers and traffic personnel, examination of balance and binocular functions, control and testing of eyesight devices in use, their adjustment, modification, alteration and small repairs, examination linked with the prescription of correctional devices. A graduate of this field can be employed in state and independent medical establishments as a guarantee and manager of the field activities, whom assesses the quality of designed and manufactured eyesight devices, organizes and takes part in business, scientific and educational activity in the field of optics. 

Orthopaedic technician training

To qualify as an orthopaedic technician one requires full secondary vocational education in the field of orthopaedic technician.  

At the moment one can achieve the required education in SR at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Zilina, Hlboka cesta 23 

The graduate of this field can be employed in orthopaedic prosthetics departments of hospitals, in the manufacture of orthopaedic bandages, orthopaedic footwear and in the supply of orthopaedic-prosthetic aids.    

Nutrition assistant training

To qualify in the profession of nutrition assistant one requires full secondary vocational education in the field of nutrition assistant.    

At the moment one can achieve the required education in SR at
•	Secondary health school in Bratislava, Zahradnicka 44
•	Secondary health school in Kosice, Moyzesova 17

The content of the work of nutrition assistant is assistance in provision of medical foods for patients in healthcare establishments and in control of food preparation and issue, cooperation with in-house dietician and the attending physician in prescription, preparation and serving of individual and special diets, cooperation in introducing new dietary regimes and control in technological procedures keeping in food preparation and serving.

Public health training

Support and protection of public health are the basic factors of public health.  To qualify in the profession of public health worker one requires level I. university education in bachelor degree, field of study public health or the acquisition of level II. university education  in the master study program, field public health.  

Currently one can achieve the requested level I. university education in a bachelor study program in the field of public health at 
•	Slovak health University, Faculty of Public Health in Bratislava
•	Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies 
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava 
•	Pavol Jozek Safarik University, Faculty of Medicine in Kosice
and a level II. university education in a master study program in the field of public health at 
•	Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health in Bratislava
•	Trnava university in Trnava, the Faculty of Healthcare and Social Studies
•	Comenius University, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 
•	Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava 

Especially for public health service train in the Slovak Republic also hygiene assistants and epidemiologists. Taking into account the mentioned bachelor and master university programs aimed for public health was the higher vocational education at secondary health schools in the field of trained hygiene and epidemiology assistant removed from the secondary health school network in the Slovak Republic.  

Psychologist, speech therapist and remedial teacher training

The training for psychologists, speech therapists and remedial teachers is taking place at level II. master university program usually at other faculties of universities than the faculties training doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives etc.   Medical practice already confirmed their irreplaceable place in the provision of healthcare, health protection, and especially rehabilitation in the sense of relief and reintegration into a healthy society.

ACCREDITATION

Education institutions can provide university education, specialized education and certified education of healthcare professionals only in accredited programs.  

The accreditation of university education of healthcare professionals is handled by the Accreditation Commission of the Government of the Slovak Republic, which resides at the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. 

The accreditation of specialized and certified education of healthcare professionals is handled by the Accreditation Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic for further education of healthcare professionals, which is the specialized advisory body of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. The Accreditation Committee of Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic for further education of healthcare professionals sat for the first time on December 2nd 2004, and MUDr Juraj Pechan, CSc. has been voted as a chairman. The commission has 14 members including the chairman and 14 working groups (every member represents one of the categories of healthcare professionals and presides to one of the working groups) and dependant on the subject discussed uses the possibility of inviting external experts. The main tasks of the commission are: 
•	to design and propose for approval to the minister of health master specialized study programs, master certification study programs and study programs of systematic education, 
•	to evaluate and propose to the minister of health to charter the provision of specialized, certified study program or program for systematic education (e.g. to accredit education program),
•	comprehensively evaluate the conditions and quality of the offered education, independently observe and evaluate educational, specialized, material-technical capability of educational establishments that were accredited,
•	to observe individual issue of documents on further education.

The decision about accreditation issued by this accreditation committee is valid for five years from the date of issue, it is non transferable and assumes the adherence to the stipulated duties under the threat of withdrawal of the decision.

Contact:
Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic
Department of healthcare education 
Management of healthcare education
Limbova 2, 837 57 Bratislava
Tel. 02/593 73 171, 02/593 73 373
Fax: 02/593 73 400
e-mail: monika.hozlarova@health.gov.sk
zuzana.slezakova@health.gov.sk

FINANCE FOR THE EDUCATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

The education of healthcare professionals in secondary health schools is financed from the state budget according to § 4 on state school financing, § 5 on state schooling facilities financing and § 6 on independent school financing Act No. 597/2003 Coll. On primary school financing, secondary school and schooling facilities as ammended.  

The main source for financing healthcare professional education in universities is according to § 89 of the Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on universities and (as amended and on the modification and completion of some acts) subsidies from the state budget according to separate regulation, e.g. Act No. 523/2004 Coll. on budgetary rules of public administration and (as amended and on the modification and completion of some acts), issued the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. 

Students of public universities training for medical profession pay schooling fees and fees related to public university study according to § 92 and § 93 of the Act No. 131/2002 Coll. on universities. 

To cover the expenses needed for their activities the public university uses also other means of financing of their main activity, it prepares and manages a budget consisting of cost and revenue for the calendar year. 

Further education of healthcare professionals can be according to § 39a of the Act No. 351/2005 Coll. which amends and supplements the Act No. 578/2005 Coll. on healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, professional organizations in healthcare and amendment and supplement of some Acts in the wording of Act No. 720/2004 Coll. and amendment and supplement of some Acts financed by
•	financial resources of employers,
•	financial resources from regional authorities or villages,
•	financial resources of health insurance companies,
•	pyment of healthcare workers that are taking part in further education,
•	the state budget financial resources,
•	financial resources of no-profit organizations and other
•	legal entities and natural persons,
•	other sources.

The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic is currently preparing a regulation on the fee for further education of healthcare professionals and documentation for European funding for building utilization needed for the development of specialized personnel in the healthcare system of the Slovak Republic. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

European directives emphasise the importance of lifetime education of healthcare professionals, for the obvious reason, which is the prevention of potential harming of the patient.  They lay down the duty of member states to provide continuing education of healthcare professionals and leave the fulfilment of this duty in their responsibility. 

This obligation appears in conceptual and strategic materials and legal norms of the Slovak Republic as an obligation of one of the member states of the European Union.  According to the Act No. 578/2004 Coll. on healthcare providers, lifetime education is healthcare professional’s duty. Continuing education is characterized as a continuous renewal and maintenance of achieved specialized professional competence for execution of medical profession in compliance with the relevant fields during the entire time of the execution of relevant health profession.

A healthcare professional fulfils this duty by attending specialized study or certified training in accredited educational establishment, but mainly by fulfilling the individual components of continuing education, which are defined in the Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 743/2004 Coll. on the process of further education of healthcare professionals. 
With respect to non-measurable components of education an important role plays the study itself and the execution of medical practice in the relevant field.  

With respect to measurable components of continuing education it is taken into account if the healthcare professional actively or passively attends training activities on a local, district, county, regional, Slovak or international level, attends specialized trainings, or performs educational, publication or scientific research activities etc.   

The continuing education should be continuously monitored and in given interval (five years) evaluated by relevant professional healthcare organization, apart from the employers of Health emergency providers, which are evaluated by their employer in given yearly interval. The criteria and the method of systematic education are dealt with by the regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic Act No. 366/2005 Coll. on the criteria and the method of continuing education of healthcare professionals.

In the event of shortcomings the evaluator can ask the employer of the healthcare professional to resolve them and warn the Office for Supervision of Healthcare, or offer a possibility of re-testing, or impose a sanction of temporary licence suspension or licence withdrawal.  

It is the employer’s duty to create conditions for further education of healthcare professionals in activities that are relevant to executed trained, specialized and certified work activities, the task of the chambers is to cooperate in quality of provided healthcare by offering training programs and other forms of cooperation with employers and the Office for Supervision of Healthcare.

RECOGNITION OF EDUCATION

Within the territory of the Slovak Republic can perform medical profession also people that have gained education or specialized training outside the Slovak Republic.

The issue of qualification recognition of healthcare professionals from EU member states, and also other countries falls in the Slovak Republic under two departments:  
•	under the competence of the Department of Education belongs the recognition of primary qualifications, this means the achieved secondary (regional education authority), but mainly university formal education of healthcare professionals (the centre for document equivalency handles the acceptance of documentation from member states of EU, universities from non EU states),   
•	the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic is responsible for recognition of specialization diplomas, especially for doctors and dental practitioners. 

Both ministries therefore intensively cooperate in all key legislation initiatives, which are necessary in this field according to the system of mutual specialized qualification recognition, which is a vital element of rules of the free movement of persons as one of the basic values of European Community.  
Within the European Community is free movement of persons considered as one of its cornerstones, as a philosophical basis of great united Europe, as a part of unified internal market. Internal European market is defined in the Article 7a of the Treaty on the European Community as an area without internal borders, where the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured.  

A citizen of any member state can provide healthcare within the territory of other member state under certain strictly stipulated conditions.  To practise medical profession must this citizen be 
•	without a criminal record, 
•	ethical,
•	healthy,
•	qualified.    

To these requirements also belongs the requirement to speak the language of the host member state.  The language knowledge must be strictly separated from the process of achieved education recognition.

For the fulfilment of the stipulated conditions in a foreigner interested in provision of healthcare in the Slovak Republic is responsible the employer, who is in the Slovak Republic, when it comes to of citizens interested in healthcare provision in their own name and responsibility (thus not in employment based on written working contract between the employer and employee), for the fulfilment of the conditions in this case is responsible the relevant chamber issuing the licence.

The employer or the chamber are not authorised to evaluate the education and professional qualifications for provision of healthcare achieved outside the Slovak Republic.  Therefore the employer or the chamber should request from the foreigner a document about the recognition of education achieved abroad from already mentioned bodies and institutions.  

Professional qualifications for medical profession are according to the European Union a summary of achieved education and the length of specialized practice of individual healthcare professional.

By means of several directives of the Council and the European Parliament the bodies of the European Union created a system of minimal requirements for each medical profession in such way as to achieve a state where it will be possible without any obstacles to recognize education (document on education) achieved to provide healthcare in one of the member states as equal to the education in any other member state.   

The mechanism of mutual recognition qualifications is difficult and is conducted on two levels:
•	on the level of so called automatic system of recognition for particular health professions fort instance a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse and midwife and  
•	on the level of so called general system of recognition for all other health l professions, which in practice means, that every country has the right to decide the conditions for education recognition.

Automatic recognition of education is so far only successful in five medical professions, these are doctor, dental practitioner, pharmacist, nurse and midwife.

Other health professions belong to a system of recognition which is amended by directives of general system, this means, that every country has the right to decide the conditions for education recognition. The recognition of qualifications belonging to the general system can be affected by 
•	a supplementary specialized training as a compensation in education and training comparable to the one requested in the host member state (state cannot request experience longer than four years),
•	a temporary period to adapt, to overcome the radical differences between required education and achieved education or the scope of requested activities in given profession (a temporary period in this context means working in given profession in the member state under a supervising of a qualified person, this period cannot extend three years.) 
•	capability testing for compensation of radical differences between achieved education and training, and the scope of requested activities in given profession. 

Only one of these three requests can be used the applicant usually chooses between the adaptation period and capability testing.

A new directive of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 2005/36/EC of July 6th 2005 was published in Strasbourg on September 7th 2005, and came into force on September 27th 2007. This new directive as of September 27th 2007 definitely replaces the sector directives related to the professions of doctor, dentist, pharmacist, nurse, midwife, as well as directives related to general system, currently regulating other medical professions. All member states are obliged to transfer this directive into their legislation and ensure its validity latest by September 27, 2007. A transposition of the new directive will inevitably change the legislations of the SR, especially in the legal regulation of the supervision of Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republicv, Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic as well as other departments.

CONFIRMATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

The same rules for the confirmation of qualifications also apply for the bodies of other EU member states in case that a slovak citizen with a healthcare qualification achieved in the SR or Czechoslovakia decides to work in other member state than the Slovak Republic. 

The health professions of doctor, dental practitioner, pharmacist, nurse and midwife can achieve an automatic validation of qualification by the body of other member state after supplying a document about education gained in the SR that complies with EU requirements, or a document gained in the SR before the entry of the SR into EU, if he submits the body of member state the 
•	Certification of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic confirming this education is considered in the SK equal to the education provided in the SK according to the conformity of study programs with EU   
•	Certification of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic coupled with a certificate confirming that the study did not comply with the requirements but the ministry can grant a permission to perform relevant medical profession because it was supplemented by the necessary medical practice in the SR,  
•	In case of a trained doctor or dentist, one requires a certification of the Slovak Medical University in Bratislava to confirm the diploma achieved before the SR entry into EU corresponds to one of the automatically validated documents stated in the annex of the relevant EU directive about qualifications issued in the SR after its entry into EU. 

Annex 1

The list of secondary health schools (further referred to as SZŠ) in the Slovak Republic

Name of the school 			Addresse 			Website

BANSKÁ BYSTRICA
SZŠ 					Tajovského 24, 974 09 		www.szsbb.sk
BRATISLAVA
SZŠ Petra Fouriera 			Palackého 1, 811 02 		www.szspfhost.sk
SZŠ 					Strečnianska 18, 851 05 		www.szsba.sk
SZŠ 					Záhradnícka 44, 821 08
ČADCA
SZŠ sv. Františka z Assisi 			Horná 137, 022 01 
DOLNÝ KUBÍN
SZŠ 					M. Hattalu 2151, 02601 		www.szsdk.sk
DUNAJSKÁ STREDA
SZŠ 					Športová 349/34, 929 01
HUMENNÉ
SZŠ 					Lipová 765/32 , 066 01
KOŠICE
SZŠ 					Kukučínova 40, 040 01
SZŠ sv. Alžbety 				Mäsiarska 25, 040 01
SZŠ 					Moyzesova 17, 040 01 		www.szske.sk
LEVOČA
SZŠ 					Kláštorská 24/a, 054 01 		www.szslevoca.sk
LIPTOVSKÝ MIKULÁŠ
SZŠ 					Štúrova 1989, 031 01 		www.szssturlm.sk
LUČENEC
SZŠ 					Lúčna 2, 984 01 			www.szslucnalc.sk
MICHALOVCE
SZŠ 					Masarykova 27, 071 01
NITRA
SZŠ 					Farská 23, 949 01 			www.szsfarska.edu.sk
NOVÉ ZÁMKY
SZŠ 					Pod Kalváriou 1, 940 55 		www.szskalvarianz.sk
PREŠOV
SZŠ 					Sládkovičova 36, 080 01
SZŠ sv. Bazila Veľkého 			Kmeťovo stromoradie 1, 080 01
POPRAD
SZŠ 					Levočská 5, 058 01
POVAŽSKÁ BYSTRICA
SZŠ 					Odborov 341/2, 017 01
ROŽNAVA
SZŠ 					Šafárikova 3, 048 01
RUŽOMBEROK
SZŠ M. T. Schererovej 			Dončova 7, 034 01 
SKALICA
SZŠ 					Lichardova 1, 909 01 		www.szsskalica.edu.sk
SVIDNÍK
SZŠ milosrdného Samaritána 		Sovietskych hrdinov 80, 089 01 	www.szsms.host.sk
TOPOĽČANY
SZŠ sv. Vincenta de Paul 			17. novembra 1065, 955 01 		www.gymvtpo.edu.sk
TRENČÍN
SZŠ 					J. Braneckého 4, 911 01 		www.szstn.sk
TRNAVA
SZŠ 					Daxnerova 5, 917 01
ZVOLEN
SZŠ 					J. Kozáčeka 4, 960 01
ŽILINA
SZŠ 					Hlboká cesta 23, 010 01 		www.szshlbokaza.edu.sk

Annex 2
The list of universities in Slovak Republic focussed on medical studies  
Name of the faculty 			Address 				Website 

BRATISLAVA
Lekárska fakulta Univerzity Komenského 	Špitálska 24, 813 72 		www.fmed.uniba.sk
Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita 		Limbová 12, 833 03 		www.szu.sk
1. Fakulta zdravotníckych špecializačných štúdií 	Limbová 12, 833 03 		www.szu.sk
2. Fakulta ošetrovateľstva a 
    zdravotníckych odborných štúdií 		Limbová 12, 833 03 		www.szu.sk
3. Fakulta verejného zdravotníctva 		Limbová 12, 833 03 		www.szu.sk
Farmaceutická fakulta Univerzity Komenského 	Odbojárov 10, 832 32 		www.fpharm.uniba.sk
KOŠICE
Lekárska fakulta Univerzity Pavla Jozefa Šafárika Trieda SNP 1, 040 66 		www.medic.upjs.sk
NITRA
Fakulta sociálnych vied a zdravotníctva 
Univerzity Konštantína Filozofa 		Kraskova 1, 949 74 		www.ukf.sk
MARTIN
Jesseniova lekárska fakulta Univerzity 
Komenského v Bratislave 			Záborského 2, 036 45 		www.jfmed.uniba.sk
PREŠOV
Fakulta zdravotníctva Prešovskej univerzity 	Sládkovičova 36, 080 24 		www.unipo.sk
RUŽOMBEROK
Pedagogická fakulta Katolíckej univerzity 	Nám. Andreja Hlinku 56/1, 034 01	www.fedu.ku.sk
TRNAVA
Fakulta zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce 
Trnavskej univerzity 			Univerzitné nám. 1, 918 43 		www.truni.sk

References 

•	Act no. 131/2002 Coll. on universities and consequential amendments
•	Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 156/2002 Coll. on the qualifications of healthcare professionals
•	Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 212/2004 Coll. on the qualifications of healthcare professionals
•	Act No. 578/2004 Coll. on healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, professional healthcare organizations and on the Amendment and Supplementation of Certain Acts 
•	Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 741/2004 Coll. which determines some details regarding emergency services
•	Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 742/2004 Coll. on the qualifications of healthcare professionals
•	Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 743/2004 Coll. on the system of further education of healthcare professionals, system of specialized fields of study and system of certified work according to amended legislation
•	Regulation of the MH SR No. 321/2005 Coll. on the extent of training in some medical establishments
•	Regulation of the MH SR č. 364/2005 Coll. which establishes the scope of nursing practice provided by nurse independently or cooperating with a doctor and the scope of nursing practice provided by midwife independently or with cooperation with a doctor
•	Regulation of the MH SR No. 366/2005 Coll. on the criteria and the method of continuing education of healthcare professionals
•	Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 179/2005 Coll. which amends and supplemends the Regulation No. 734/2004 Coll. on the system of further education of healthcare professionals, system of specialized fields of study and system of certified work 
•	Regulation of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic No. 287/2005 Cool. which amends and supplements the regulation No. 741/2004 Coll. which determines some details regarding emergency services

Warning:
The information is general, for instance the details about a particular study and about the entry exams should be obtained from the relevant education establishment mentioned in the document, and the details about the legislation regarding individual medical professions should be found in relevant regulations mentioned in this brochure. Look out for legislation updates! 

Some detailed information is available on the website www. health.gov.sk in chapter  ” health  professionals”, under ”education and qualification recognition”.

All legislation mentioned in chapter ‘references’ are on the website www.zbierka.sk.

•	Education of healthcare professionals in the Slovak Republic

•	Prepared by
PhDr. Kvetoslava Beňušová, MPH

•	In collaboration with
Mgr. Monika Hozlárová
Mgr. Zuzana Menďanová
Mgr. Marián Nagy
PhDr. Zuzana Slezáková, PhD.,MPH
Mgr. Verona Šablová
Doc. PhDr. Vlasta Závodná, PhD.

Approved on November 28th, 2005 by
Rudolf Zajac, the Minister of Healhcare
of the Slovak Republic

•	Thanks to
The Department of nursing MZ SR, 
The Department of economics MZ SR 
© 2006 MZ SR