B.C. looks to attract U.S. doctors and nurses with pitch to fast-track credentials and planned recruitment campaign
British Columbia is hoping to attract doctors and nurses from the United States with its plans to fast-track the recognition of their credentials and launch a recruitment campaign.
The province announced in a statement Tuesday that it is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. on a process to enable physicians who are trained in the U.S., and who hold certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties, to become fully licensed without the need for further assessment or training.
B.C. said it will remove barriers faced by U.S. doctors who wish to be licensed and practise medicine in the province, and that its plans follow similar changes recently adopted by Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The province expects changes to be implemented in a few months after consultations.
There is a broad push underway to see Canada bolster its much depleted health workforce. The magnitude of the problem is enormous: A federal study released in February said the country needs tens of thousands of additional health care workers, including nearly 23,000 family physicians.
Canadian health organizations hope American doctors and nurses want to be part of the solution to address this deficit, and that they are more open to move north of the border during political uncertainty in the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump has moved quickly to usher in significant changes in health, such as signing an executive order hours after his inauguration to indicate the country plans to leave the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency.
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said Tuesday that “with uncertainty and chaos happening south of our border, we have an unprecedented opportunity to attract skilled health care workers interested in moving to Canada.
“Our message to doctors and nurses working in the U.S. is that now is the time to come to British Columbia. We will welcome you to our beautiful province where together we can strengthen public health care, deliver services for people and build healthy communities.”
This spring, B.C plans to rollout targeted recruitment efforts and a marketing campaign in three U.S. states: Washington, Oregon and California. The province said it intends to conduct this outreach in collaboration with health authorities, regulatory colleges and other partners.
B.C. said it is planning to highlight job opportunities in areas where health care workers are most need, such as in emergency rooms and for cancer care. As well, rural communities will be promoted because of worker shortages in those areas.
The province is also working with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives to make it both faster and easier for nurses registered in the U.S. to work in British Columbia. It said that U.S. nurses will soon be able to apply directly to the college for licensure, which will speed up timelines.
The college will then review education, registration, exam completion and regulatory history through the U.S.’s national nurse-licensure and disciplinary database, the province said.
Last year, marketing campaigns were undertaken in Britain and Ireland in hopes of attracting health workers to B.C. The province also said it is fast-tracking credential recognition for health professionals from other countries and provinces.
Health organizations in Canada, including the Canadian Medical Association, have called for the easing of interprovincial barriers that restrict the mobility of health care workers in the country.
Last week, CMA president Joss Reimer welcomed an announcement by federal, provincial and territorial governments that detailed plans to move quickly to that end.
B.C. Premier David Eby said part of the goal to eliminate barriers between the provinces is so professionals “whether teachers, doctors, or nurses, are able to move seamlessly between provinces.”
Federal Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand said tariff threats from the Trump administration have “provided impetus” for Ottawa and provincial ministers to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
She said Monday on Parliament Hill that she expects the new Liberal Leader, Mary Carney, who is expected to be sworn in as prime minister soon, will ensure the government is pushing hard on the issue of labour mobility, especially in health care, along with other areas.