Saskatchewan says efforts to recruit health care workers are working as the province has so far made more than 160 job offers to Filipino health care workers.
Through the province’s Health Human Resource (HHR) Action Plan, efforts have been made to recruit, train, encourage and retain health care professionals.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a release that continued work is continuing under the four pillars of the province’s HHR action plan.
Sask. Health care recruitment plan needs reform due to shortfall of 2,200 staff: auditor
COVID booster effective against XBB variant: US CDC study
“I’m pleased to see continued progress in all areas of focus,” Merriman said. “As we begin a new year, I look forward to more actions to build on the successes we have achieved so far. It is important that we continue to spread the word that Saskatchewan is great for building your health care career and An excellent place to develop.”
The province said it has received conditional offers to registered nurses (RNs) from the Philippines who have begun working their way through the RN pathway, which includes language, bridging education and licensure. Saskatchewan continues to make progress by creating more permanent full-time positions in rural and remote areas across Saskatchewan and attracting health professionals to higher priority positions.
According to the statement, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has hired more than half of new full-time and part-time full-time permanent positions, with more than 90 positions now filled.
Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said, “It is encouraging to see that our competitive rural and remote recruitment incentive financial package is generating interest and we are making progress in attracting health care candidates to rural and northern communities across Saskatchewan Huh.”
“Our province has a lot to offer from recent graduates to experienced health professionals interested in training and working in health care. These health professionals will start a new job and build a career within these communities and build strong relationships grow and enhance their lives with rewarding experiences from Saskatchewan communities of all sizes.
The province said more opportunities are available to connect nursing graduates with job offers.
Saskatchewan government releases action plan for health care workers
WHO chief ‘very concerned’ about COVID deaths as emergency declaration call looms
According to the release, “68 of the 78 graduates from the December cohort have submitted their expression of interest to SHA for the Grad Nurse Expression of Interest initiative, which matches graduates to a field based on skills and preferences.” “As of January 18, 2023, 29 students have accepted conditional job offers.”
The HHR Action Plan also includes First Nations and Métis recruitment and retention initiatives. One initiative includes the Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program which is a partnership between SHA and the Gabriel Dumont Institute, offering 12 seats for an eight-week program starting March 2023. Recruitment and retention engagement sessions with several First Nations, Tribal Councils and the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan were held in November, December and January.
Progress continues under each of the four pillars of Saskatchewan’s HHR action plan, which are recruiting, training, promoting and retaining. The province said its $60 million HHR action plan, announced in September 2022, would add more than 1,000 health professionals to the health system over the next few years.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.