Transplant surgeon — how to get a job in Poland

Transplantation of various tissues and organs from donor to recipient is becoming increasingly successful and widespread each year. Accordingly, the demand for specialists who can perform such procedures is also growing. As a result, many countries—especially in Eastern Europe and particularly Poland—are currently experiencing an acute shortage of transplant surgeons. Their salaries, of course, are lower than those in Western Europe, which explains the migration of Polish specialists. However, a physician from Ukraine or Belarus who secures a position as a transplant surgeon in Poland will receive significantly more advantages than in their home country.

Below, we explain what a specialist working in a Polish clinic is expected to do, how to obtain such a position, and what benefits this job offers.

Responsibilities of a transplant surgeon in Poland

In the public’s perception, a transplant surgeon is simply someone who performs organ transplants. In reality, such a specialist performs a much broader range of tasks, including:

• selecting a donor and checking compatibility with the recipient;

• preparing both the donor and the recipient for surgery;

• performing all types of transplants — organs and tissues from human to human, from animal to human, as well as bone marrow and stem cell transplants;

• monitoring patients in the postoperative period and responding promptly to any complications.

In addition, these specialists maintain medical documentation and may be involved in addressing moral and ethical issues related to donation.

Those planning to work as transplant surgeons in Poland can consider vacancies in both public and private clinics, specifically within transplantology departments.

What is required for successful employment?

The list of requirements set by Polish law for foreign candidates from former Soviet republics includes just a few key points. You need to have:

• a medical university diploma and a certificate in the specialty of “transplantology.” Diploma nostrification can be completed after employment and receipt of the first salary;

• work experience in the specialty in your home country — at least 3 years within the last 5 years. For migrants from Ukraine, this requirement was temporarily suspended as of 2023;

• knowledge of the Polish language, including medical terminology, sufficient for fluent communication with patients and colleagues, as well as accurate record-keeping;

• authorization from the Ministry of Health and a license to practice medicine issued by regional authorities;

• a willingness to work productively, responsibly, and conscientiously, pursue professional growth, and make well-considered decisions within the scope of duties.

Candidates who meet the employer’s requirements can reasonably expect a fairly high starting salary — from 9,700 PLN gross per month. In addition, on-call duties and extra shifts are always fully compensated in Polish clinics, effective work is rewarded with bonuses, and a substantial social benefits package is provided, which can be reviewed upon employment.

Our company offers comprehensive assistance in finding transplant surgeon positions in Poland for specialists from Ukraine and Belarus. Do you bring the right combination of experience, knowledge, skills, impeccable personal qualities, and a desire to change your life for the better? Contact us now — we will take care of your employment immediately!