Recruitment

We start to find suitable employees many months before the interview with the potential employer or before an assignment already exists. In doing so, we pay attention to the following points, among others:

• Does the religious denomination play a role (e.g. for Christian organizations)?
• What language level do the candidates have?
• What are the minimum requirements for work experience, duration and location in Germany?
• What activities would they like to perform after receiving their German professional license?
• In which region of Germany would they like to live and work?
• What requirements must the place of residence fulfill in terms of schools, daycare, family or friends in the region of Germany?

Selection

concept of care: We check whether the applicant is aware that care in Germany is based on three important pillars – basic care, treatment care and services such as the distribution of food and beverages. If the person has an aversion to, for example, basic care for cultural or religious reasons, they will not be placed in Germany.

Confirmation of the CV: Through cooperation with numerous medical institutions in the home country of the applicants, we ensure that the professional experience stated in the CV is true.

Integration: Since we support the candidates for at least one year as part of the language teaching phase, we have the opportunity to observe the characteristics of the applicants closely and to determine whether they are able to successfully integrate into Western culture.

Authenticity of certificates and proof: Only after we have satisfied ourselves on the above points are our sales staff
informed that the applicant is ready for placement and for an initial interview.

The pre-selection also includes
the examination of backgrounds, motivation, future plans and tolerance for other cultures and beliefs. In addition, the applicant must accept the Basic Law and have no reservations about caring for the opposite sex. We carry out the necessary personality test and the examination of the above points within 12 months from our individual branches in the 8 countries in which we operate.

Main contact person:

• Mohammed Behairy, Managing Director: General questions and management of the company
• Hassan Mohasch, Managing Director CareLend Morocco: Contact person for language teaching, language testing, preparation for recognition procedures, entry requirements for Moroccan carers
• Hasna Kordi, Managing Director CareLend Tunisia: Contact person for language teaching, language testing, preparation for recognition procedures, entry requirements for Tunisian carers
• Mody Magdy, Managing Director CareLend Egypt: Contact person for language training, language testing, preparation of recognition procedures, entry requirements for Egyptian nurses
• Athira Ramesh Managing Director CareLend United Arab Emirates: Contact person for language training, language testing, preparation of recognition procedures, entry requirements for nurses from Gulf countries

Language training

• Language training from beginner (A1) to intermediate level (B2) is organized before arrival,
• this process usually takes 1 year. Language training begins about 12 months before our applicants and potential employers interview with each other,
• Our pedagogical approach involves more than just learning certain books.
• We organize excursions in the city where the participants live. Each participant takes on the role of a tour guide to
  present certain sights in German,
• We have our own online language cafés where participants from the 8 branches worldwide can talk to each other in German
  and develop an appreciation for other cultures.
• After the interview with the potential employer, it takes about 3 months to get the visa. Meanwhile, the participants receive a crash course with terminology and simulations of technical discussions.
• We have designed a certified method in Egypt for the further training of our internal employees for the “Training of the Trainer”.

Language test

A B2 language test is carried out. Our branches in eight countries are mostly certified ECL examination centers. Before arrival, the B2 certificate is provided to the employer.

Main contact person for all countries:

a. Mr. Mahmoud Abdelrahman

b. Mr. Samir Ammar

We not only submit the application for recognition of the training to the employer before the online interview, but also accompany the process until an equivalence certificate or, as a rule, a deficit/assessment notice is issued, in which the essential differences to the German reference occupation are described in order to enable targeted further training and to determine an exact adaptation measure. Our services include conducting these adaptation courses in the theoretical and practical areas. We usually apply for the recognition procedure in Saxony-Anhalt, as our training center is located in this federal state.

If you are an employer based outside Saxony-Anhalt, there are two options for you:

1. We will apply for recognition in the federal state in which you are based. In this case, the participant can take part in an adaptation measure at the school of the respective federal state in which the employer is based.
2. We submit the application for recognition in Saxony-Anhalt, where the participant takes part in the theoretical part of the adaptation measure at our training center in Saxony-Anhalt. The practical part takes place at the employer’s (you). The professional certificate is issued after successful completion.

Main contact:

1. Ms. Melanie Fichtler
2. Ms. Bansaih Behairy
3. Ms. Yasmeen Behairy
4. Ms. Donia Elamshaty
5. Ms. Hasna Kordi
6. Ms. Fatima

As soon as we have satisfied ourselves that the applicant meets the following points, we will contact the potential employer to organize an online interview

1. B1* language certificate and can communicate at B2 language level
2. All necessary documents for dealing with the authorities before arrival are already available
3. We are convinced that he is willing and suitable for the principles of care, especially for basic care
4. Certain characteristics that indicate that he can respect local cultural aspects

Getting to know each other

As part of the application process, a personal interview – online – takes place before the employment contract is concluded, in order to enable an exchange on a personal level. CareLend organizes this interview and sends the link for the MS Teams meeting to both the employer and the applicant by email. CareLend will also participate in the interview to answer any questions regarding official matters and to ensure that the process runs smoothly.

Feedback

We would be very grateful if we could hear from the potential employer a few days after the interview to find out whether the applicant has been selected.

B1 language certificate is required for participation in the interview. It takes about 3 months until arrival. Within this time, the participant must take the B2 exam. Only participants are recommended if our teachers are convinced that these participants can successfully pass the B2 exam before arrival.

Main contact persons:

1. Mr. Mohammed Behairy
2. Mrs. Bansaih Behairy
3. Mr. Mahmoud Abdelrahman

Comprehensive support during the visa process. Entry requirements:

Visas
We prepare all the documents and send them to you for signature:

• Statement of employment + additional sheet A.
• Job description as an assistant.
• Job description as a specialist.

We also take care of:

• Pre-approval work permit.
• Pre-approval residence permit.
• Employment contract (to be prepared directly by the employer). We will give you advice on what to look out for when formulating certain points for the target group of foreign nursing staff.
• A selected team, which is exclusively responsible for the visa and entry process, will take over the scheduling at the respective embassy for the application for entry approval.
• All the documents required for the visa application are carefully prepared by us.
• After the application, we will contact the relevant authority to find out the status of the application and to resolve any discrepancies.

We have completed every application for entry clearance since the parent company meineagentur24 was founded in February 2004.

Entry arrangements
The participants of an adaptation measure come from different countries. As soon as the visas have been issued for all participants, the head office in Germany and the entry team are in contact with the management of the individual branches to clarify the following:

• Important information about customs regulations,
• Which documents the participants have to bring with them from their home country in the original. Which documents are required at passport control at the arrival airport.
• At which airport in Germany all participants will arrive. Who will be there to greet them.
• Under which telephone numbers the participants can reach our CareLend staff.
• We plan for all participants to arrive at the same airport on the same day.

Main contact persons:

Mr. Mohammed Behairy

Mrs. Bansaih Behairy

Mrs. Melanie Fichtler

We inform the employer about the day of arrival and the residential address in Germany and provide the German telephone number of the participants. The following is done on our part:

1. A team is waiting for the participants at the airport and takes them to the location of the training center,
2. A shopping package of about €50 (food, drinks, SIM card) is given as a gift to each participant upon arrival,
3. Accompaniment to the accommodations and distribution of the welcome folder. This includes, among other things, house rules, important addresses and contact details,
4. The following day, an employee of the training center visits the participants and conducts a site inspection with them,
5. Exchange of mobile phone numbers. At our location in Germany, there is also an on-call service at night for emergencies.
6. Attending further appointments that were already arranged before arriving in Germany:
   a) Residents’ registration office
   b) Issuance of a German vaccination certificate (important vaccinations such as measles)
   c) Opening a current account
   d) Possibly an appointment at the immigration office

Main contact persons:

• Mr. Mohammed Behairy
• Ms. Melanie Fichtler
• Ms. Marion Zimmermann
• Mr. Mina Sadek

According to § 66a paragraph 1 of the Act on Nursing Professions (PfIBG) of July 17, 2017 (BGBI. I p. 2581) in the currently valid version, pursuant to § 2 of the Act on Professions in Nursing (Nursing Care Act – KrPEIG) of 16.07.2003 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 1442) in the version of 31.12.2019 and in the sense of § 6 para. 2 Act on Nursing Professions (Nursing Professions Act – PfIBG) in conjunction with § 44 para. 2 of the Training and Examination Regulation for Nursing Professions (PflAPrV), the option of granting applicants permission to use the professional title “health and nurse” or “nursing specialist” if they have completed training outside the scope of this law.

The prerequisites for this are that the training has been completed and that the level of training is equivalent to that in Germany.

Foreign nursing staff with foreign qualifications – particularly from non-EU countries – must apply to the respective state authority for their qualifications to be recognized (before leaving for Germany). As a rule, the qualifications are not recognized as equivalent to a German qualification in the nursing field. Consequently, the applicant or the foreign nurse receives a so-called deficit notice/assessment notice, thus giving the nurse the opportunity to choose one of
two options:

Option 1: Take the skills assessment test immediately after arriving in Germany.
Option 2: Participation in an adaptation measure at a certified institution for such measures

Option 1) Participation in the knowledge test directly after arrival in Germany

We cannot recommend this option for two reasons:

There are significant differences in the curricula between the 16 federal states in contrast to the international curricula, which can lead to a negative result of the examination shortly after arrival. In addition, there may be disagreements with existing staff if the nurse from abroad begins working as an assistant immediately after arrival. This can have a negative impact on the working atmosphere. For this reason, we recommend option 2…

Option 2) Participation in an adaptation program with a certified provider of such programs

Here, the nurse has the opportunity to prepare for professional life in Germany and to integrate as well as possible. This program includes a theoretical part, in which the nurse participates in frontal teaching, and a practical part in a medical facility. The duration of the adaptation program is individual and is determined by the respective state authority. The aim of this adaptation measure is to eliminate all deficits according to the assessment notices issued by the competent state authorities.

Our approach to the adaptation measure

1. Participants sign an employment contract (employment subject to social security contributions) before arrival. The start of employment as a nurse in recognition is parallel to the start of the adaptation measure,
2. Since the company CareLend Bildungsgesellschaft is an AZAV certified company, the adaptation measure is free of charge for the employer and employee. Costs are covered by the availability of an education voucher.
3. Participants start with the theoretical part of the adaptation measure. Monday through Friday, 7.5 hours each for about 4 months without interruption.
4. In addition to the nursing subjects, our integration officer and her staff will teach primarily about orientation in Germany, cultural and political aspects, alongside the recognition processes. In addition, we offer German lessons at the C1 level in technical language. In additional meetings, practical knowledge is imparted.
5. During the theoretical part, the nursing staff will not appear at the employer’s premises. As a result, the employer will receive up to 100% of the wage costs from the Federal Employment Agency during the theory period,
6. Of course, the participant and the employees of CareLend Bildungsgesellschaft are happy to welcome employers to the school at any time,
7. The CLB staff are always in contact with the employers’ nursing management to get up-to-date feedback on the state of development.
8. Before the end of the theoretical part of the adaptation measure, accommodation will be organized at the location where the employer is based.
9. The practical assignments will also be discussed and organized again. It is recommended that the participants visit the employer shortly before the end of the
   theoretical part is recommended in order to take care of all instructions, house rules, work clothes, name tags, etc.
10. The participant begins the practical part of the adaptation measure in the departments / specialist areas assigned by the responsible state authority. This means that the participant will have to complete the practical assignments in different departments.
11. The CLB training manager will visit the participants during the practical phase and hold discussions with the practical instructors
    to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
12. On the day of the final interview – which is predefined before the start of the APM, the participants will be given a day off to attend the final interview. Please note that the measure does not end with an exam but with a final interview.
13. CLB informs the responsible state authority about the result of the final interview. If the participant successfully completes the APM, the responsible state authority is informed and asked to issue the professional certificate.
14. The participant continues to work as a specialist until he or she receives the professional certificate, the new work permit and the residence permit.
    He or she continues to work as an assistant.
15. Upon receipt of the above-mentioned certificates of competence, the participant begins working for the employer as a nursing professional.

The adaptation period usually takes about 10 months (4 months of theory and 6 months of practical training).

Main contact persons:

• Mr. Mohammed Behairy
• Ms. Axinia Schwätzer
• Ms. Marion Zimmermann
• Mr. Thomas Rost
• Mr. Sebastian Simoch

We warmly congratulate you on successfully completing the adaptation period and obtaining the title of nurse.

As soon as you have completed the adaptation period, the school or training center (e.g. CareLend Bildungsgesellschaft) will forward the application and the required documents to the relevant state authority for the issue of the professional certificate.

After receiving the professional certificate, we will apply for a change to your work permit and residence permit to enable you to work as a specialist in nursing.

With the professional certificate, work permit and residence permit, you are officially allowed to work as a nursing professional.

Main contact persons

• Mr. Mohammed Behairy
• Ms. Melanie Fichtler

Finding accommodation
CareLend GmbH supports applicants in their search for suitable accommodation. Participants often get to know each other through language courses and chat groups and often decide to live together in shared accommodation.

We determine their housing needs and try to find suitable apartments with our cooperating housing associations. These companies know the needs of our nursing staff and are familiar with their special requirements. The apartments are located near the training center, so that the commute to work takes a maximum of 15-20 minutes on foot. We can arrange furniture through our integration network or through classifieds.

Association work
The managing director of CareLend GmbH, Mr. Mohammed Behairy, has founded an association (Bienvenue e.V.) together with a few people for the integration and inclusion of foreign workers. The association Bienvenue e.V. in Borna organizes further opportunities for encounters and excursions to sustainably integrate the nursing staff and their families. In December 2023, this association received the Integration Award of the Free State of Saxony. Mr. Behairy initiated the association, founded it and supported it until it received the award. Now he wants to hand over the management of the association to younger people. From July 2024, he will no longer be the chairman of the board, but he will do his best to add numerous projects.

Further activities in the field of care
CareLend GmbH has agreed to a cooperation with the city of Borna in order to attract educators from abroad, prepare them linguistically, complete the recognition process, with the aim of creating more daycare places in Borna and the surrounding area. The reason for this is that the specialists usually have children of kindergarten age

A very good cooperation has been established with the local housing association. Many empty rooms have been reoccupied by the project

Numerous new shops have opened in the city center that sell products of interest to certain nationalities.

Several caregivers who are already in Germany have heard about the excellent care in Borna and the treatment of caregivers from abroad. Now they prefer to leave the big cities and move to Borna. The main beneficiaries are the patients, the foreign nurses, Sana Kliniken Leipziger Land, the city of Borna and the surrounding area, and of course CareLend GmbH.

This project will continue for an indefinite period. It goes without saying that this project can be duplicated at other locations throughout Germany.

Main contact:

Mohammed Behairy