Competition for Head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section at Osakidetza 2026: requirements and deadlines

Key data

The Integrated Healthcare Organization Barrualde-Galdakao announces a merit-based competition to fill the position of Head of Healthcare Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The call is formalized through Resolution 1477/2026, of May 19, published on October 16, 2026 in the BOE.

This type of process is relevant for any active specialist within the National Health System who aspires to assume clinical management responsibilities in the field of rehabilitation in the Basque Country. The window for submitting applications is short — 15 business days — so it is advisable to act quickly.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution announces a merit-based competition for the provision of a section head position in the area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation within the Barrualde-Galdakao OSI, integrated into the Osakidetza network.

The selection process is structured in two differentiated phases:

• Phase 1 — Public defense of management project-report: the candidate must present and defend before the assessment committee a project that demonstrates their vision and management capacity for the position.
• Phase 2 — Merit assessment according to scoring scale: the merits accredited by the candidate are scored according to the scale established in the call.

To be appointed to the position, it is essential to obtain at least half of the total maximum score of the process. Merely participating is not enough: there is a minimum quality threshold required.

The assessment committee must respect balanced gender representation, in accordance with Basque equality regulations, which conditions its composition.

Economic and operational impact

For the candidate, accessing a section head position at Osakidetza represents a significant change in salary level and responsibility. Section head positions in the Basque public healthcare system entail position and management allowances that notably increase remuneration compared to the base position of specialist physician.

From an operational perspective, the position involves assuming clinical and organizational direction of the section, with responsibility for teams, resources and healthcare results in the area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Barrualde-Galdakao OSI.

For the organization, filling this position through merit-based competition ensures the selection of the candidate with the greatest objective accreditation, compared to other provisional provision formulas. The requirement for a management project as the first phase adds a qualitative filter over mere accumulation of merits.

Who does it affect?

• Medical specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with fixed statutory, civil service or fixed-term employment relationship in the NHS.
• A1 group personnel who meet the required qualification and specialty requirements.
• Specialists with at least 3 years of accredited experience in the specialty.
• Professionals with linguistic profile 2 with expired mandatory requirement (mandatory requirement to work at Osakidetza).
• HR managers and directors of NHS centers who must release or manage the candidate's mobility if selected.

Practical example

A medical specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a fixed position at Basurto Hospital (Bilbao-Basurto OSI), A1 group, with 8 years of experience in the specialty and linguistic profile 2 with expired mandatory requirement, meets all the access requirements for this competition.

To participate, they must submit their application within 15 business days counted from the last publication of the call in the corresponding official bulletins. Subsequently, they will have to prepare and publicly defend before the committee a management project-report for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section of the Barrualde-Galdakao OSI. If they pass this phase, their merits will be assessed according to the scoring scale. They will only obtain the appointment if they achieve at least half of the total maximum score of the process.

What should candidates do now?

1. Verify compliance with all requirements: check that you have fixed employment (statutory, civil service or fixed-term), A1 group, qualification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, minimum 3 years of experience in the specialty and linguistic profile 2 with expired mandatory requirement.
2. Calculate the exact submission deadline: identify the date of the last publication in official bulletins and count 15 business days from that moment to avoid missing the call.
3. Prepare the management project-report: this document is the first phase of the competition and largely determines the outcome. It should reflect a clear vision of the management of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation section.
4. Gather and document accreditable merits: compile all documentation that accredits experience, training, publications, previous positions and any other merit assessable according to the scoring scale of the call.
5. Submit the application on time and in proper form: do so within the 15 business day deadline, following the procedure indicated in the resolution published in the BOE.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is merely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21563