Province touts progress on health-care recruitment plan

Saskatchewan’s government is making good progress on its efforts to recruit more health-care workers, according to the Ministry of Health.

The provincial government’s Health Human Resources Action Plan was launched in September in response to a significant shortage of doctors and health-care workers.

The ministry said its plan aims to add 1,000 new employees to the health-care system by recruitment efforts, new training programs, incentives, and retention efforts. The government expects to spend $60 million on the plan over several years.

On Thursday, the ministry shared an update on the plan, touting progress on all of the plan’s four pillars.

“I am pleased to see steady progress in all areas of focus,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a statement. “It’s important we continue to spread the word that Saskatchewan is an outstanding place to build and grow your health-care career.”

Recruitment

The provincial government recently stepped up efforts to recruit workers from the Philippines.

More than 160 job offers were made to registered nurses, continuing care assistants and medical lab assistants in that country, the ministry said. Several Filipino registered nurses who received conditional offers are currently working on language, bridging education and licensing before beginning work in Saskatchewan.

Meanwhile, an advertising campaign is in full swing to encourage health-care professionals to work in the province, the ministry said, with a new portion aimed at Saskatchewan students will soon be launched.

At the same time, the ministry said, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has extended conditional offers to nine registered nurses who were trained internationally, and they are currently participating in a bridging education program.

“The Ministry of Health has received more than 600 applications from internationally educated health-care workers,” the ministry added in a statement. “These applicants will be provided information on available supports and job opportunities.”

The province has also made a team of “health system navigators” available to help guide and support international health-care workers seeking opportunities in Saskatchewan.

Training

More training opportunities are available for prospective health-care workers, the ministry said, including 20 new seats in the Health Care Aid program in Prince Albert.

A number of volunteer and job-shadowing opportunities are being extended to high school students, the ministry added, along with information on interprovincial training opportunities.

Efforts to train Indigenous health workers are also underway, the ministry added, pointing to the 12-seat Indigenous Birth Support Worker program, which begins in March, along with engagement sessions held with a number of tribal councils and First Nations.

Incentives

Progress has also been made in making Saskatchewan health-care jobs more attractive, the ministry said.

The province is offering an incentive of up to $50,000 for a three-year return-of-service agreement for new employees working in rural and remote areas in nine high-priority roles.

Since the incentives launched in October, the ministry said 31 incentives have been approved for nurses, care assistants, lab and X-ray technicians, lab assistants, and medical radiation technologists.

Retention

The action plan’s efforts to retain health-care workers includes enhancement of some part-time roles and the creation of new full-time positions.

As of Jan. 11, the ministry said 92 of the 164 high-priority positions in rural and remote locations that experienced service disruptions have been filled.

Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s minister for rural and remote health, said the action plan is already yielding positive results, particularly for smaller centres.

“It’s encouraging to see our competitive Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive financial packages are generating interest and we are making progress in attracting health-care candidates in rural and northern communities throughout Saskatchewan,” Hindley said in a statement.

“These health professionals will begin a new job and build their career within these communities, and will also grow strong connections and enhance their lives with the rewarding experiences Saskatchewan communities of all sizes have to offer.”