Joint Circular No. 10/2015/TTLT-BYT-BNV stipulates the code numbers and standards for the occupational titles of doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical assistants.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regulations on job code, occupational standards

physician, preventive medicine physician, medical assistantNo. 11 of 2014; Law amending

________________________ 

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants;

Pursuant to Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for civil servants, public officials, and armed forces; Decree No. 17/2013/ND-CP dated December 19, 2013 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for civil servants, public officials, and armed forces;

This Circular prescribes procedures for receiving, providing health care for domestic violence victims and statistical reports on domestic violence victims at medical facilities.

Pursuant to Decree No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP dated June 16, 2014, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

The Minister of Health and the Minister of Home Affairs issue this Joint Circular stipulating job code, qualification standards, and appointment and classification of salary for physicians, preventive medicine physicians, and medical assistants.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Joint Circular stipulates job codes, qualification standards, and procedures for appointment and classification of salary for physicians, preventive medicine physicians, and medical assistants.

Article 2. This Joint Circular applies to public officials who are physicians, preventive medicine physicians, and medical assistants working in public health facilities.

Chapter 2. Job Code and Classification of Job Titles for Physicians, Preventive Medicine Physicians, and Medical Assistants

Section 1. Physician Group, including:

a) Senior Physician (Class I) Job Code: V.08.01.01

b) Principal Physician (Class II) Job Code: V.08.01.02

c) Physician (Class III) Job Code: V.08.01.03

Section 2. Preventive Medicine Physician Group, including:

a) Senior Preventive Medicine Physician (Class I) Job Code: V.08.02.04

b) Principal Preventive Medicine Physician (Class II) Job Code: V.08.02.05

c) Preventive Medicine Physician (Class III) Job Code: V.08.02.06

Section 3. Medical Assistant Position:

a) Medical Assistant (Class IV) Job Code: V.08.03.07

Article 3. Ethical Standards for Professional Conduct

1. Devote oneself to serving the cause of healthcare, protection, and enhancement of people's health.

2. Understanding and properly implementing the rules of conduct for civil servants in the healthcare sector.

c) Leading the provision of services, counseling, and communication campaigns on population-family planning within the professional scope;

d) Leading the analysis, summary, and evaluation of professional activities on population-family planning, compiling and reporting results;

5. Respect patients' rights.

e) Leading and participating in scientific research, applying research results and technological advancements in population-family planning;

Chapter II

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

Section 1

PHYSICIAN POSITION

Article 4. Senior Physician (Class I) - Job Code: V.08.01.01

1. Duties:

a) Diagnosis and treatment:

Lead the organization and implementation of diagnosis and treatment;

Lead the organization of emergency care, specialized emergency care, and cases transferred from lower levels;

Lead specialized professional consultations within the assigned field;

Lead supervision, inspection, evaluation, and improvement of quality of diagnosis and treatment within the assigned field;

Establish a system for detecting and reporting technical errors within the assigned field;

b) Information, communication, and health education:

Lead the planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustment of counseling, communication, and health education plans based on goals and actual needs;

Draft and lead the organization of content for information, communication, and health education.

c) Lead the provision of advice to patients or their families on selecting appropriate healthcare services;

d) Lead the organization of medical examination, forensic examination, and forensic psychiatric examination within the specialized field or related areas as prescribed by law;

e) Lead the implementation of professional guidance and technical work at the grassroots level, including disease prevention and control when assigned;

f) Be responsible for managing and guiding the use of medical equipment for diagnosis, intervention, and emergency care within the assigned field;

g) Education and scientific research in medicine:

Lead the compilation of professional materials; establish rules and procedures for technical operations within the assigned field;

Organize or directly conduct training and capacity building, and be responsible for professional and technical matters for staff within the assigned field and students;

Participate in postgraduate training or advanced professional training upon request;

Lead or participate in scientific research projects;

Research and propose or participate in the development of strategies, policies, and plans for the development of healthcare services at the sectoral and local levels.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a Master's degree in a medical specialty or a Doctor of Medicine degree (except in preventive medicine);

b) Have a foreign language proficiency level of B2 or higher as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the Foreign Language Competency Framework for Vietnam;

c) Have basic computer skills as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on Computer Technology Competency Standards;

d) Hold a certificate for senior physician (Class I) training.

3. Competence and professional standards:

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and state laws on healthcare, protection, and enhancement of people's health; be aware of the direction of domestic and international development in the professional field;

b) Possess knowledge and ability to apply advanced methods and high-tech techniques in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care within the specialized field;

c) Have the ability to evaluate processes and techniques within the professional field and propose solutions; assess intervention outcomes based on evidence;

d) Have the ability to conduct research, summarize practical experiences, and propose solutions or participate in developing strategies, policies, and plans for the sector and field;

e) Serve as principal investigator, co-investigator, or main participant (at least 50% of time) in a ministry-level or equivalent scientific research project, or serve as principal investigator in two institutional-level scientific research projects, inventions, or scientific discoveries that have been successfully reviewed;

f) A public official promoted from the position of Principal Physician (Class II) to Senior Physician (Class I) must have held the position of Principal Physician (Class II) or equivalent for at least six years, including at least two years in the most recent period.

Article 5. Senior Specialist Doctor (Class II) - Code: V.08.01.02

1. Duties:

a) Diagnosis and treatment:

Chair or participate in specialized medical consultations within the assigned field;

Organize and implement outpatient and inpatient services;

Organize and handle emergency cases, specialized emergency cases, and difficult cases transferred from lower levels;

Identify and report technical errors within the assigned professional scope;

Supervise, inspect, evaluate, and improve the quality of outpatient and inpatient services within the assigned professional scope;

b) Information, communication, and health education:

Determine needs and propose health education guidance content;

Organize planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustment of counseling, communication, and health education plans based on actual goals and needs;

Propose management measures for health within the assigned scope;

c) Organize and implement counseling for patients or their families to choose appropriate healthcare services;

d) Operate and use medical equipment for diagnosis, treatment interventions, and emergency care within the assigned scope;

đ) Organize forensic medical examinations, forensic pathology examinations, and forensic psychiatric examinations within the specialty or related fields as prescribed by law;

e) Directly or collaboratively participate in supervising professional technical work at lower levels, implementing disease prevention and control programs, and social diseases when assigned;

g) Training and scientific research:

Organize the compilation of professional materials; establish regulations and technical procedures within the assigned field;

Directly train, provide further training, and be responsible for professional technical matters for professional staff and students when assigned;

Chair or participate in scientific research projects;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a Master's degree in Medicine or higher (except preventive medicine);

b) Possess foreign language proficiency level 3 (B1) or higher as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or possess a certificate in ethnic languages for positions requiring ethnic language usage;

c) Possess information technology skills meeting the basic standard for using information technology as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on the standards for using information technology;

d) Hold a certificate for senior specialist doctor (Class II) training;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and the State's laws on health protection, care, and improvement; grasp the direction of development in professional technical fields;

b) Possess diagnostic, treatment, monitoring, and preventive skills for common diseases and specialized emergencies;

c) Apply traditional medicine in disease prevention and treatment;

d) Organize and implement health counseling, care, protection, and improvement of public health;

đ) Have the ability to gather resources to fulfill tasks;

e) Be the principal investigator, co-investigator, or main participant (50% or more of the time) in scientific research projects at the institutional level or higher, inventions, scientific discoveries, or technical improvements within the professional field that have been successfully reviewed;

g) Staff promoted from the title of Doctor (Class III) to Senior Specialist Doctor (Class II) must have held the title of Doctor (Class III) or equivalent for a minimum of nine years for those with a Master's degree in Medicine or a Specialist Degree in Medicine; six years for those with a Specialist Degree in Medicine Level II or a Doctorate in Medicine or a Residency Degree in Medicine; including a minimum of two years in the most recent period holding the title of Doctor (Class III).

Article 6. Doctor (Class III) - Code: V.08.01.03

1. Duties:

a) Diagnosis and treatment:

Conduct routine medical examinations and treatments for patients;

Handle basic emergency cases, promptly identify diseases beyond treatment capacity, report to senior doctors for further handling or referral to higher-level facilities or specialized fields;

Participate in specialized consultations;

Implement management and quality improvement of medical examinations and treatments: identify and report technical errors, participate in monitoring, inspecting, and evaluating the quality of medical examinations and treatments within the assigned scope;

b) Information, communication, and health education:

Determine needs and contents for health education guidance;

Carry out counseling, communication, and health education; evaluate counseling, communication, and health education activities;

Propose health management measures within the assigned scope;

c) Advise patients or their families on selecting appropriate healthcare services;

d) Operate and use medical equipment for diagnosis, treatment interventions, and emergency care within the assigned scope;

đ) Participate in medical examination, forensic medical examination, and forensic psychiatric examination in specialized fields or related areas as prescribed by law;

e) Participate in directing lower-level facilities in terms of professional techniques, implementing disease prevention and social health programs when assigned; participate in primary healthcare activities at grassroots healthcare facilities;

g) Education and scientific research in medicine:

Participate in compiling professional materials; participate in establishing rules and procedures for professional techniques within the assigned scope;

Participate in guiding staff, students, and interns in the medical field;

Participate in or conduct scientific research projects;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Graduated as a doctor or higher (except preventive medicine doctors);

b) Possess a minimum level 2 (A2) foreign language proficiency as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or possess a certificate in ethnic languages for positions requiring the use of ethnic languages;

c) Possess basic computer skills according to the standards set forth in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding the standards for using information technology;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and state laws on health protection, care, and enhancement; be familiar with the direction of professional development in the specialty;

b) Have diagnostic, treatment, follow-up, and preventive skills for common diseases and basic emergencies;

c) Apply traditional medicine in disease prevention and treatment;

d) Be able to perform health education and counseling for the public;

đ) Possess communication and collaboration skills with service recipients and colleagues;

Section 2

TITLE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE DOCTOR

Article 7. Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class I) - Code: V.08.02.04

1. Duties:

a) Lead and compile content and plan guidance for health information, education, and communication activities on health protection, care, and enhancement; propose health management measures in the community;

b) Lead the implementation of primary healthcare activities;

c) Lead the execution of professional responsibilities according to the Ministry of Health's regulations, specifically:

Develop plans for preventive health activities: disease prevention and control, social disease prevention, health program management, health education and communication, occupational health, work-related illnesses, and accidental injuries;

Monitor, supervise, detect, assess, control, and contain risk factors causing epidemics, pathogens causing diseases, occupational illnesses, environmental-related diseases, accidental injuries, food safety, occupational health, and other risk factors affecting community health;

Organize the implementation of measures to control and contain epidemics, diseases, infectious agents causing epidemics, especially newly emerging disease outbreaks;

Prevent non-communicable diseases, traffic accidents, occupational accidents, and occupational illnesses;

Participate in community-based management and care: chronic diseases, occupational illnesses, social diseases, and functional recovery;

Conduct routine medical examinations and initial emergency treatments;

Conduct medical examinations, provide advice, and implement preventive treatments as prescribed;

d) Participate in analyzing, assessing, and concluding complex professional health issues related to community health within the assigned scope and sector when required;

đ) Lead the compilation of materials and procedures for epidemic and disease prevention, and community health care;

e) Direct or personally guide and train staff, students, and interns in the medical field; participate in teaching university/college students when required;

g) Lead or participate in scientific research projects;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Graduated from a second-level specialist degree in preventive medicine or a Ph.D. in preventive medicine;

b) Possess a minimum level 4 (B2) foreign language proficiency as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam;

c) Possess information technology skills meeting the basic standard for using information technology as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on the standards for using information technology;

d) Possess a certificate for advanced training in preventive medicine (Class I);

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and state laws on health protection, care, and enhancement; be familiar with the direction of professional development both domestically and internationally;

b) Have the ability to determine the impact of natural, social, and occupational environments on human health, propose intervention measures to prevent risks affecting community health;

c) Have the ability to develop strategic plans, evaluate policies, systems, and administrative structures in the field of preventive health;

d) Have the ability to integrate, mobilize, and coordinate inter-sectoral efforts to fulfill tasks;

đ) Have the ability to conduct scientific research and organize its implementation;

e) Serve as principal investigator, co-investigator, or main participant (50% or more time) in ministry-level or equivalent research projects or serve as principal investigator in two institutional-level research projects or inventions in the specialty that have been successfully completed.

g) A civil servant promoted from the title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II) to the title of Senior Preventive Medicine Specialist Doctor (Class I) must have held the title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II) or an equivalent position for at least six years, including at least two years in the most recent period holding the title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II).

Article 8. Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II) - Code: V.08.02.05

1. Duties:

a) Develop plans, organize implementation, and supervise activities related to health information, education, and communication on health protection, care, and improvement; manage community health and propose measures for community health management;

b) Organize the implementation of guidance work and primary healthcare services;

c) Implement professional responsibilities according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, specifically:

Develop professional activity plans in preventive medicine: disease prevention and control, social disease prevention, health program management, health education and communication, occupational health, occupational diseases, and accidental injuries;

Monitor, supervise, detect, assess, control, and contain risk factors causing epidemics, pathogens causing diseases, occupational illnesses, environmental-related diseases, accidental injuries, food safety, occupational health, and other risk factors affecting community health;

Propose and implement measures to control and contain outbreaks, especially newly emerging outbreaks;

Prevent non-communicable diseases, traffic accidents, occupational accidents, and occupational diseases;

Participate in community-based management and care: chronic diseases, occupational illnesses, social diseases, and functional recovery;

Conduct routine medical examinations and initial emergency treatments; Provide preventive consultations and treatments according to regulations.

d) Participate in analyzing, evaluating, and concluding on specialized preventive medicine issues when required;

đ) Organize training and capacity building in technical skills for professional medical staff, students, and trainees;

e) Lead or conduct scientific research projects.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a Master's degree or higher in Preventive Medicine or a First-Class Specialist Doctor degree in Preventive Medicine;

b) Possess foreign language proficiency level 3 (B1) or higher as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or possess a certificate in ethnic languages for positions requiring ethnic language usage;

c) Possess information technology skills meeting the basic standard for using information technology as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on the standards for using information technology;

d) Have a certificate for training in Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II);

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's viewpoints, policies, and state laws on health protection, care, and enhancement; be familiar with the direction of professional development both domestically and internationally;

b) Possess the ability to identify environmental, social, and occupational factors affecting human health;

c) Possess the ability to propose intervention measures, plan comprehensive and continuous health care, protection, and enhancement for individuals, families, communities, and the environment;

d) Possess the ability to implement, evaluate primary healthcare services, national target programs on health, occupational health management, accident prevention, and safe community development;

đ) Possess the ability to monitor and assess environmental impacts and propose solutions to prevent environmental pollution;

e) Possess the ability to detect early outbreak sources, participate in disease control, and identify nutritional and food safety issues in the community, proposing appropriate solutions;

g) Possess the ability to integrate, mobilize, and coordinate inter-sectoral efforts in performing tasks;

h) Serve as principal investigator, co-investigator, or main participant (at least 50% of time) in scientific research projects at the institutional level or higher, inventions, scientific discoveries, or technological improvements in the field of specialization that have been successfully reviewed;

i) A civil servant promoted from the title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class III) to the title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class II) must have held the title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class III) or an equivalent position for at least nine years for those with a First-Class Specialist Doctor degree or a Master's degree in Preventive Medicine; six years for those with a Second-Class Specialist Doctor degree or a Doctorate in Preventive Medicine or a Residency Doctor degree; including at least two years in the most recent period holding the title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class III).

Article 9. Preventive Medicine Doctor (Class III) - Code: V.08.02.06

1. Duties:

a) Provide information, education, and communication on health protection, care, and improvement; manage health and propose health management measures at the community level;

b) Carry out supervisory work and primary healthcare contents;

c) Implement professional responsibilities according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, specifically:

Develop professional activity plans in preventive medicine: disease prevention and control, social disease prevention, health program management, health education and communication, occupational health, occupational diseases, and accidental injuries;

Monitor, supervise, detect, assess, control, and contain risk factors causing epidemics, pathogens causing diseases, occupational illnesses, environmental-related diseases, accidental injuries, food safety, occupational health, and other risk factors affecting community health;

Implement measures to control and contain epidemics, infectious disease agents causing epidemics, especially newly emerging epidemic foci;

Prevent non-communicable diseases, traffic accidents, occupational accidents, and occupational diseases;

Participate in community-based management and care: chronic diseases, occupational illnesses, social diseases, and functional recovery;

Conduct routine medical examinations and initial emergency treatments; Provide preventive consultations and treatments according to regulations.

d) Guide and train technical skills for staff, students, and trainees in the specialty;

đ) Participate in scientific research.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Graduated from a general medicine doctor program or a preventive medicine specialty doctor program or higher;

b) Possess a minimum level 2 (A2) foreign language proficiency as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or possess a certificate in ethnic languages for positions requiring the use of ethnic languages;

c) Possess basic computer skills according to the standards set forth in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding the standards for using information technology;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the viewpoints, policies, and guidelines of the Party and the State's policies and laws regarding health protection, care, and improvement for the people;

b) Possess the ability to identify environmental, social, and occupational factors affecting human health;

c) Have the ability to propose appropriate measures, develop comprehensive and continuous health care plans for individuals, families, communities, and environmental protection;

d) Have the ability to organize and evaluate primary healthcare contents, national target programs on health, health management, occupational diseases, accident prevention, and safe community construction;

đ) Have the ability to detect early epidemic foci, nutrition issues, food safety problems in the community and participate in epidemic prevention;

e) Have the ability to participate in scientific research;

g) Have skills in effectively cooperating and coordinating with relevant departments, organizations, and international bodies to perform tasks;

Section 3

MEDICAL TITLES

Article 10. Medical Assistant (Class IV) - Code: V.08.03.07

1. Duties:

a) Promote and implement specialized measures for maternal and child health protection and family planning;

b) Participate in initial first aid, routine medical examinations, and treatment for the public at health stations and manage community health within the assigned area;

c) Develop activity plans and select priority programs in the field of medical expertise within the assigned scope;

d) Establish a medicine cabinet, guide safe and rational drug use, plan drug source management; develop traditional medicine and integrate ethnic medicine applications in disease prevention and treatment;

đ) Timely identify and report epidemics, epidemic foci, disease-causing factors, epidemic risk factors, and health issues affecting the community;

e) Participate in organizing disease prevention, control measures, and health risk prevention for the community;

g) Manage health indicators, manage pregnancies, manage chronic patients under doctors' instructions in the community, and compile timely and accurate reports according to legal provisions;

h) Train technical knowledge for village health workers, community health volunteers/health population workers;

i) Advise commune, ward, town authorities and competent authorities on managing and implementing primary healthcare contents and organizing implementation of key programs in the local health sector;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Graduated from a medical assistant associate degree program;

b) Have a minimum level 1 (A1) foreign language proficiency according to Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on the six-level foreign language proficiency framework for Vietnam, or have a certificate in ethnic language for positions requiring ethnic language use;

c) Possess basic computer skills according to the standards set forth in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications regarding the standards for using information technology;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the viewpoints, policies, and guidelines of the Party and the State's policies and laws regarding health care and improvement for the people;

b) Identify common disease symptoms and factors affecting community health;

c) Detect, intervene, and prevent factors affecting community health;

d) Have skills to organize and monitor primary healthcare contents and health management, occupational health management;

đ) Have skills to organize and evaluate project activities, national target programs on health;

e) Have skills in cooperation and teamwork, coordination with relevant departments and organizations in performing tasks;

Chapter III

GUIDELINES FOR PROMOTION AND SALARY GRADING ACCORDING TO TITLES

PROFESSIONS REGULATED IN THIS JOINT CIRCULAR

Article 11. Principles for Appointment and Salary Classification According to Professional Titles for Civil Servants

1. The appointment to professional titles for civil servants as stipulated in this Joint Circular must be based on the job position and assigned tasks of the civil servant, in accordance with Article 12 of this Joint Circular.

2. When appointing from the current civil service rank to the professional title of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, or medical assistant, such appointments shall not combine with salary grade advancement or professional title promotion for civil servants.

Article 12. Cases of Appointment to Professional Titles

Civil servants who have been appointed to the ranks of doctor and medical assistant as prescribed in Decision No. 415/TCCP-VC dated May 29, 1993, issued by the Minister - Head of the Government Organizational Structure - Civil Service Department (now the Ministry of Home Affairs) regarding the issuance of vocational standards for the ranks of civil servants in the health sector; and Decision No. 78/2004/QĐ-BNV dated November 3, 2004, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the issuance of the list of civil servant ranks and civil servant grades, shall now be appointed to the professional titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical assistant as stipulated in this Joint Circular, as follows:

1. Professional Title of Doctor:

a) Appointment to the professional title of Senior Doctor (Grade I) code V.08.01.01 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Senior Doctor (code 16.116);

b) Appointment to the professional title of Principal Doctor (Grade II) code V.08.01.02 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Principal Doctor (code 16.117);

c) Appointment to the professional title of Doctor (Grade III) code V.08.01.03 for civil servants currently holding the rank of Doctor (code 16.118).

2. Professional Title of Preventive Medicine Doctor:

a) Appointment to the professional title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade I) code V.08.02.04 for civil servants currently working in the field of preventive medicine and holding the rank of Senior Doctor (code 16.116);

b) Appointment to the professional title of Principal Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade II) code V.08.02.05 for civil servants currently working in the field of preventive medicine and holding the rank of Principal Doctor (code 16.117);

c) Appointment to the professional title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade III) code V.08.02.06 for civil servants currently working in the field of preventive medicine and holding the rank of Doctor (code 16.118).

3. Appointment to the professional title of Medical Assistant Grade IV (code V.08.03.07) for civil servants currently holding the rank of Medical Assistant (code 16.119).

Article 13. Methods for Salary Grading

1. The professional titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical assistant as stipulated in this Joint Circular shall apply the Specialized Vocational Pay Scale for State-Owned Enterprise Staff (Table 3) promulgated together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government on the remuneration system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel, as follows:

a) The professional title of Senior Doctor (Grade I) and the professional title of Senior Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade I) shall apply the civil servant pay scale type A3 (group A3.1), ranging from coefficient 6.20 to coefficient 8.00;

b) The professional title of Principal Doctor (Grade II) and the professional title of Principal Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade II) shall apply the civil servant pay scale type A2 (group A2.1), ranging from coefficient 4.40 to coefficient 6.78;

c) The professional title of Doctor (Grade III) and the professional title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade III) shall apply the civil servant pay scale type A1, ranging from coefficient 2.34 to coefficient 4.98;

d) The professional title of Medical Assistant shall apply the civil servant pay scale type B, ranging from coefficient 1.86 to coefficient 4.06.

2. The classification of salaries for civil servants according to the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article for civil servants who have been classified into the ranks of doctor and medical assistant as prescribed in Decision No. 78/2004/QĐ-BNV dated November 3, 2004, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the issuance of the list of civil servant ranks and civil servant grades, and Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government on the remuneration system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel shall be implemented as follows:

Civil servants meeting the conditions for appointment to the professional titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical assistant, whose salary grade coefficients are equal to those in their previous ranks, shall be classified at the same salary grade and percentage of seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if any) they were enjoying in their previous ranks (including the time for the next salary grade review or the enjoyment of seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling if any in their previous ranks) into the newly appointed professional title.

Example: Ms. Nguyen Thi A was classified into the rank of Doctor (code 16.118), grade 4, coefficient 3.33 since February 1, 2013. Now she meets the conditions and has been appointed by the competent authority to the professional title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade III) code V.08.02.06, then she will be classified into grade 4, coefficient 3.33 of the professional title of Preventive Medicine Doctor (Grade III) from the date of the decision; the time for the next salary grade review will be calculated from February 1, 2013.

3. Promotion of professional titles for doctors and preventive medicine doctors shall be carried out after being appointed to the professional titles of doctor and preventive medicine doctor as stipulated in this Joint Circular and implementing salary classification according to the guidelines set forth in Clause 1 Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding salary classification when upgrading ranks, transferring ranks, or changing types of civil servants.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Joint Circular shall take effect from July 16, 2015.

2. Abolish the vocational standards for the ranks of doctor and medical assistant as prescribed in Decision No. 415/TCCP-VC dated May 29, 1993, issued by the Minister - Head of the Government Organizational Structure - Civil Service Department regarding the issuance of vocational standards for the ranks of civil servants in the health sector.

3. Abolish the regulations on the list of ranks of doctors and medical assistants promulgated together with Decision No. 78/2004/QĐ-BNV dated November 3, 2004, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the issuance of the list of civil servant ranks and civil servant grades.

Article 15. Transitional Provisions

Civil servants who were appointed to the ranks of doctor and medical technician according to Decision No. 415/TCCP-VC dated May 29, 1993, issued by the Minister - Head of the Party Organization and Cadre Affairs Council of the Government on the issuance of vocational standards for the ranks of civil servants in the health sector; and Decision No. 78/2004/QĐ-BNV dated November 3, 2004, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs on the issuance of the list of civil servant ranks and civil service ranks, shall now be appointed to the occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician as stipulated in this Circular. The competent authority managing and using civil servants has the responsibility to create conditions for civil servants to supplement the remaining criteria of the occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician to which they have been appointed.

Article 16. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular serves as the basis for implementing the recruitment, utilization, and management of doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians in public health facilities.

2. Non-public health facilities may apply the provisions of this Circular to recruit, utilize, and manage doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians within their facilities.

3. The head of public healthcare facilities directly managing and utilizing civil servants has the responsibility to:

a) Review the positions within the unit, develop plans for appointing the occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician within the scope of management authority, submit them to the competent authority for examination and decision-making or make decisions according to the delegated authority;

b) Appoint the occupational titles for doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians under management to the corresponding occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician according to the authority or delegated authority after the appointment plan has been approved by the competent authority.

4. Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, agencies under the Government, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities are responsible for:

a) Direct subordinate units under management to implement the appointment of occupational titles and salary grading for doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians in public health facilities;

b) Approve plans for appointing occupational titles and salary grading for doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians in public health facilities under management transitioning from current civil service ranks to the corresponding occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician as stipulated in this Circular; resolve issues within the authority during the process of appointing occupational titles and salary grading;

c) Decide on the appointment of occupational titles and salary grading for doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians under management to the corresponding occupational titles of doctor, preventive medicine doctor, and medical technician in public health facilities according to the authority.

d) Report the results of the appointment of occupational titles and salary grading for doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and medical technicians in public health facilities under management to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 17. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of agencies under the Government; Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and related organizations, individuals have the responsibility to implement this Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, organizations and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Health for consolidation and coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine and resolve them./.