Pan-Canadian Health Human Resource Strategy: 2005-2006 Annual Report

Amount/ Duration

$2,209,801 2005/06 to 2009/10

Recipient

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Objectives

Address the gaps in services to IMGs presently experienced in the recruitment, assessment, orientation and retention process when relocating to Newfoundland and Labrador as well as other provinces in Atlantic Canada.

Activities

Increase the preparedness and integration of applicants through access to information by developing recruitment packages with professional displays and electronic communications.

Support Memorial University Medical School research to develop an assessment tool to provide IMGs with access to appropriate training or licensure in Newfoundland or Atlantic Canada by researching, developing and evaluating an assessment tool.

Establish new training sites and a new group of IMG preceptors.

Develop an IMG orientation package.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased number of IMGs who choose Newfoundland and Labrador for practice and increased retention.

An assessment tool to increase access of IMGs to appropriate clinical training and assessment.

Contact Information

Department of Community and Health Services | Government of Newfoundland and Labrador | 57 Margaret's Place | P.O. Box 8700 | St. Jonh's, NL | A1B 4J6 | Telephone: (709) 729-3208

Amount/ Duration

$3,510,038 2005/06 to 2009/10

Recipient

Nova Scotia Department of Health

Objectives

Support the Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative and its broad objective to recruit and retain IEHPs.

Activities

Conduct an environmental scan and gap analysis to identify the needs of IEHPs in NS and PEI and develop a four-year action plan.

Establish a web-portal for welcoming and providing information to internationally educated Registered Nurses (RN).

Develop a process to assess internationally educated RNs who do not meet the criteria for writing the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE).

Develop a program that allows Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) to acquire skills and knowledge necessary to practice as an RN in Canada.

Establish a bridging program, screen applicants, identify learning gaps, and provide academic support to Internationally Educated Practical Nurses (IEPNs).

Revise and deliver a ten week orientation program to assist IEHPs navigate the system towards community integration and employment in NS and PEI.

Develop welcome packages for ten professionals, and develop and deliver an 18 week English for IEHPs training program twice a year.

Anticipated Results Output

Strategic plan for Nova Scotia IEHPI investment.

Improved access to information and orientation IENs.

Training and programs to prepare and promote IENs in obtaining licensure and integration into the workforce.

Improved orientation of IEHPs to promote their integration into the health workforce in Nova Scotia.

Contact Information

Department of Health | Government of Nova Scotia | 1690 Hollis Street | P.O. Box 488 | Halifax, NS | B3L 4H9 | Telephone: (902) 424-2900

Amount/ Duration

$1,995,086 2005/06

Recipient

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) is receiving the above amount of funding under the Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) Initiative to support four projects.

Objectives

Support the Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative and its broad objective to recruit and retain IEHPs.

Activities

Develop a coordinated, collaborative strategic plan to increase access for IEHPS to practise in Ontario by conducting an environmental scan and multi-stakeholder consultation.

Enroll, assess, and offer a range of courses and services to IEHPs in Medical Radiation Technologies (MRT), Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), and Respiratory Therapy (RT) to build skills and prepare them for licensure.

Develop a web-enabled CD/booklet resource for immigration and settlement officers and college counsellors to enable them to provide timely advice and links about MRT and MLT to IEHPs.

Increase the number of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who undergo clinical assessment and prepare IMGs accepted into family medicine positions for residency and practice in Ontario by addressing key competency areas through a pre-residency program.

Anticipated Results Output

Strategic plan for multi-year investments in IEHPI.

Improved capacity for IEHPs to successfully meet licensure requirements.

Improved capability of counsellors to provide advice to Medical Radiation Technology and Medical Laboratory Technology IEHPs.

Increased number of IMGs able to access clinical examinations.

Increased preparedness of IMGs accepted into family medicine residency positions.

Contact Information

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care | 101 Bloor Street West | Toronto, ON | M5S 2Z7 | Telephone: (416) 327-7729

Amount/ Duration

$400,000 2005/06

Recipient

Manitoba Health

Objectives

Increase the capacity of Manitoba's International Medical Graduate (IMG) Assessment and Remedial Training Program from ten to fifteen candidates for the 2006-2007 program year and facilitate the entry-to-practice of IMG physicians into family practice, particularly in rural and northern areas.

Activities

Develop a program unit to orient IMGs to the Manitoba health care system.

Develop a program component that will assist unsuccessful candidates in exploring career options in alternate health care professions.

Conduct a thorough evaluation of the program.

Increase local and national awareness of the program through a detailed dissemination plan.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased capacity to assess and train IMGs in Manitoba.

Contact Information

Manitoba Health | Rm. 1048 300 Carleton Street | Winnipeg, MB | R3B 3M9 | Telephone: (204) 788-6367

Amount/ Duration

$2,188,157 2005/06 to 2009/10

Recipient

Saskatchewan Health

Objectives

Facilitate the development of a comprehensive range of essential tools, products and services for IEHPs, designed to improve their chances for attaining licensure and ultimately employment in health services.

Activities

Undertake strategic planning exercise. Development of an online portal for facilitating integration of IEHPs.

Develop faculty development programs.

Develop a bridging and career path program.

Undertake research and assessment of potential IMGs assessment capacity in Saskatchewan.

Anticipated Results Output

Situational analysis of barriers to IEHPs.

An online portal for integration and preparedness of IEHPs.

Faculty development and mentoring modules, a bridging program, and an assessment of the capacity for Saskatchewan to assess IMGs.

Contact Information

Saskatchewan Health | T.C. Douglas Building | 3475 Albert Street | Regina, SK | S4S 6X6 | Telephone: (306) 787-3070

Amount/ Duration

$5,728,068 2005/06 to 2009/10

Recipient

British Columbia Ministry of Health

Objectives

Identify and assist Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) to access assessment, education, registration and employment bridging supports to achieve employment in the B.C. health care system commensurate with their prelanding skills and qualifications.

Improve coordination and planning activities for a sustainable strategic approach of integrating IEHPs into the B.C. workforce.

Activities

Identify, assess and employ methods to bridge IEHPs under the B.C. Skills Connect for Immigrants Program.

Build capacity for health sector employers, post-secondary institutions, regulatory bodies, and professional associations to provide services to IEHPs.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased number of IEHPs working in the health sector in employment that makes maximum use of their skills.

Minimization of the time required to complete licensing assessment and increased access to related education and training.

Contact Information

Government of British Columbia | 5th Floor, 1515 Blanshard Street | Victoria, BC | V8W 3C8 | Telephone: (250) 952-1286

Amount/ Duration

$4,303,494 2005/06 to 2009/10

Recipient

British Columbia Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Western and Northern Health Human Resources Planning Forum, is receiving the above amount of funding from the Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) Initiative to undertake selected project activities to accelerate and expand the assessment, training and integration of IEHPs into the health workforce.

Objectives

Facilitate the development of a comprehensive range of essential tools, products and services for IEHPs, designed to improve their chances for attaining licensure and ultimately employment in health services.

Activities

Phase 1:

Conduct a literature review and a review of existing jurisdictional infrastructure support capacity. Develop an IEHP product inventory matrix. Conduct a gap analysis and enumeration of potential IEHPs per profession per jurisdiction. Recommend future IEHP products for development. Hold conferences on a regular basis with key stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration, identification of priority health professions in each jurisdiction, development of IEHP strategic plan for the Western Forum and development and implementation of annual activity plans.

Phase 2:

Once the strategic plan is developed, proposals will be submitted to Health Canada for approval.

Anticipated Results Output

A situational analysis to explore jurisdictional capacity to support IEHPs.

A communication process and network of key stakeholders.

An IEHP collaborative strategic plan for the Western Forum with annual activity plans.

Contact Information

Western and Northern Health Human Resources Planning Forum | 5-1, 1515 Blanshard Street | Victoria, BC | V8W 3C8 | Telephone: (250) 952-3145

Amount/ Duration

$305,859 2005/06 to 2006/07

Recipient

Government of Nunavut Health and Social Services

Objectives

Prepare Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) for success on the Canadian Registered Nursing Exam (CRNE) and employment in the unique environment of Nunavut.

Activities

Conduct a Nunavut focused series of orientation sessions delivering education on nursing, health care, and cultural competency.

Deliver clinical instruction to candidates preparing to write the CRNE.

Provide ongoing support to encourage the integration of candidates into the Nunavut health care system including costs of candidates to travel to Ottawa for the CRNE.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased support for IENs to successfully pass the CRNE and integrate into Nunavut workforce.

Contact Information

Department of Health and Social Services | Government of Nunavut | P.O. Box 1000 Station 1000 | Iqaluit, NU | X0A 0H0 | Telephone: (867) 982-7672