Osakidetza Chief/Head of Health Section Competition 2026: requirements and deadlines

Key data

Osakidetza announces, through Resolution 1408/2026, the competition to fill the position of Chief/Head of Health Section in the Chronicity and End of Life Unit. This is a clinical management position at an intermediate management level, assigned to the Hospital Care Sub-directorate, with functions ranging from inter-hospital coordination to clinical safety and care continuity in complex processes.

For statutory physicians of the Basque Health Service or the National Health System who meet the requirements, this competition represents a concrete opportunity to access a position of responsibility in an area of growing strategic importance in the public health system.

What does this regulation establish?

Resolution 1408/2026 announces a merit-based competition to fill a position of Chief/Head of Health Section in the Chronicity and End of Life Unit of Osakidetza. Below are all the requirements and conditions for participation:

The position involves functions of high organizational complexity: management of complex chronicity and end-of-life processes, inter-hospital coordination, guarantee of clinical safety and assurance of care continuity. This is not a purely clinical position, but a clinical management role with responsibility for the organization of the unit.

Selection is carried out through merit-based competition, which means there is no opposition test: the weight falls on the accredited professional history and the quality of the Management Project-Report presented by each candidate.

Economic and operational impact

The resolution does not publish specific remuneration associated with the position, which is typical in calls of this type within the statutory system. However, the operational impact for candidates and health organizations is relevant in several areas:

• For the candidate: accessing a Chief/Head of Section position in Osakidetza represents a salary increase compared to the base category of specialist physician, with position and management supplements that vary according to the statutory agreement in force in the Basque Health Service.
• For NHS health services: the position is also open to career civil servants group A1 from other regions, which expands the pool of candidates and may generate vacancies at origin.
• Preparation cost: the requirement for a Management Project-Report implies a significant time investment. Candidates must plan its preparation within the 15 business day deadline, which is tight.
• Language requirement: language profile 2 in Basque is a real filter that may exclude candidates with sufficient clinical credentials but without formal accreditation. Those who do not have it should verify if they can accredit it before the deadline closes.

Who does it affect?

• Fixed statutory physicians of Osakidetza with group A1, degree in Medicine, PL2 in Basque and 3 or more years of experience in the specialty.
• Career civil servants group A1 of the National Health System with a degree in Medicine who meet the language and experience requirements.
• HR managers and hospital center management of Osakidetza, who must manage possible vacancies resulting from the mobility generated by this call.
• Candidates interested in clinical management in the field of chronicity, palliative care and end-of-life care within the Basque public system.

Practical example

A specialist physician in Internal Medicine, with a fixed position in Osakidetza since 2021 (5 years of seniority), classified in group A1 and with language profile 2 in Basque accredited, meets all formal requirements to compete.

To participate, they must:

1. Gather and document their CV with accreditable credentials (publications, training, experience in chronicity or palliative care).
2. Draft a Management Project-Report aimed at the Chronicity and End of Life Unit, detailing their vision on inter-hospital coordination, clinical safety and care continuity.
3. Submit both documents within the 15 business day deadline from the last publication in the corresponding official bulletins.

If they did not have PL2 in Basque formally accredited, they would be excluded from the competition even if they surpassed other candidates in clinical credentials. This is the most frequent exclusion point in Osakidetza calls.

What should candidates do now?

1. Verify compliance with formal requirements: confirm that you have a fixed position or civil servant status group A1, degree in Medicine, accredited PL2 in Basque and minimum 3 years of experience in the specialty.
2. Identify the date of last publication in bulletins: the 15 business day deadline is counted from the last publication in the corresponding official bulletins (BOE and/or BOPV). This date marks the start of the count.
3. Prepare the documented CV: compile and accredit all relevant credentials (experience, training, publications, previous positions) with the corresponding supporting documentation.
4. Develop the Management Project-Report: this document is key in the merit-based competition. It should reflect the candidate's vision on the management of the Chronicity and End of Life Unit, including inter-hospital coordination, clinical safety and care continuity.
5. Submit the application within the deadline: do not wait until the last moment given the volume of documentation required. The 15 business day deadline is tight to prepare a solid candidacy.
6. Consult the complete resolution in the BOE: to verify any additional requirements, official application form and submission address.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informational 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-2026-18842