SZW Insurance physician

The organisation

Our RCN Unit for Social Affairs and Employment is the implementing organisation for the Ministry of the same name in the Caribbean Netherlands. We work towards a dignified existence for all citizens in the Caribbean Netherlands. One way we do this is by providing important benefits like the (special) social relief, AOV and Child Benefit. Another way is with our work on Employment matters, Wage Loss, Labour Inspectorate, and work permits. With the arrival of many new and changing policies, the organisation is in a period of transition, in which we are working to strengthen the implementation and the (further) improvement of the social system in the Caribbean Netherlands.

The medical unit of SZW is a multidisciplinary team responsible for medical and occupational assessments for both statutory and non-statutory products. At the medical unit of SZW, we help people with employment and health issues to return to work, and if that is no longer possible, we look at what is still feasible.

Job description

As an insurance physician, you carry out operational duties in the Caribbean Netherlands. The role focuses on assessing employees’ (in)capacity for work for those claiming benefits under the Health Insurance Act and the Accident Insurance Act. You are a specialist in the field of insurance medicine with your own client base. The aim is to promote sustainable return to work and to provide well-founded insurance medical reports that form the basis for decisions following benefit claims. You bring clarity and perspective to people. You do this together with your colleagues in the medical unit of SZW Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.

You are based on Bonaire, but the insurance physician at the medical unit of SZW is also expected to be willing to visit Saba and St. Eustatius four times a year.

To work as an insurance physician, you must be willing to work at least four days a week. In addition, as an insurance physician, you work alongside at least one absenteeism officer and a nurse through the delegation of tasks.

Job responsibilities

The role of an insurance physicianinvolves operational duties. The core duties fall within the following areas:

• insurance medical assessment and reporting
• advice and cooperation
• client contact and information
• quality and professionalism

Job requirements

• You have completed medical school and are registered as an occupational health physician, and hold a BIG registration and a BES exemption.
• You have experience with social-medical or insurance medical assessments.
• You have experience in advising and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• You have up-to-date knowledge of medical and legal guidelines regarding fitness for work.
• You have the ability to make independent judgements, and you communicate clearly.
• You are skilled at translating complex medical information into understandable decisions.
• You are sensitive to cultural context and diversity within the Caribbean Netherlands.
• You are fluent in Dutch; knowledge of Papiamento, English and/or Spanish is preferred.

Competencies

For physicians in general, and insurance physicians in particular, the CanMEDS form the guiding principle. Specifically, at SZW, we value the following competencies:

• Sound judgement;
• Integrity;
• Collaboration;
• Communication skills (in the spoken and the written word);
• Planning and organisation;
• Cultural sensitivity.

What do we offer?

• An appointment in conformity with the Rechstpositiebesluit Ambtenaren BES (BES Legal Status of Civil Servants Decree);
• A salary in line with the market, in initial salary scale 11 and  job salary scale 12 from a minimum of $4.338,- and a maximum of $6.340,- based on a work week of 36 hours. A pay grade based on knowledge and experience;
• A holiday pay (8.33% of the annual income);
• A13^th month (8.33% of the annual income);
• Vitality allowance;
• A pension plan administered by Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN);
• 182 holiday hours based on a work week of 36 hours;
• A temporary appointment of one year with the prospect of a permanent appointment in case of good performance and a positive appraisal;
• A relocation scheme for applicants not living in the island.

Procedure

An assessment, case and/or reference check may be part of the procedure.
This vacancy is being advertised internally and externally, and the following order will be considered in the selection process:

• Official RCN staff on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (internal);

• Residents of the Caribbean part of the Netherlands (external);
• Other candidates (external);

Terms of appointment

• A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG);
• Participation in the pension fund is mandatory, including a personal contribution;
• A medical examination is required for this position. Appointment is subject to a successful outcome of this examination
• Dutch citizenship.

Important information for interested applicants living outside the Caribbean Netherlands

• The salary is paid in American dollars, the official currency in the Caribbean Netherlands;
• The Caribbean Netherlands has its own tax regulations. Income above the tax-free allowance $21,956 in 2026 is taxed at 29.4% in the first bracket (up to an income of $53,198). A tax rate of 38.4% applies to the second bracket;
• You are or will become a resident of the Caribbean Netherlands.

More information?

For more information about the vacancy, please contact Xavier Op de Coul, Manager of Medical Services SZW, at +599 795 4743 or via email at Xavier.opdecoul@rijksdienstCN.com.

Digital applications

You may send your curriculum vitae with cover letter to: vacature@rijksdienstCN.com.