The BC governemnt’s efforts to recruit internationally trained health professionals are beginning to show results, with nearly 780 job applications received in just two months from candidates across the United States.
The campaign, launched in March and expanded in June to include targeted marketing in Washington, Oregon, and parts of California, is part of the province’s broader strategy to address health-care staffing shortages.
According to the BC government, over 2,250 doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals have expressed interest in working in the province.
This includes 827 physicians and 851 nurses.
To support this initiative, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) introduced bylaw changes on July 7th aimed at speeding up the licensing process for international doctors.
Since then, 29 applications have been submitted by US-trained physicians.
Key changes include allowing US-certified doctors to become fully licensed in BC without additional exams or training, provided they hold certification from recognized American medical boards.
Physicians trained outside of North America are no longer required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1, a step that previously added time and cost to the licensing process.
CPSBC is also consulting on additional changes that would streamline licensing for doctors from countries with recognized training programs, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and others.
The Province reports that job applications have come from all regional health authorities, including Interior Health (181), Fraser Health (154), Vancouver Coastal Health (121), Island Health (112), Providence Health Care (70), the Provincial Health Services Authority (66), and Northern Health (63).
Some applicants applied to more than one region.
The BC governement says this is part of a “Team BC” approach involving the provincial government, health authorities, regulatory colleges, and other partners working together to fill vacancies and improve access to health care across the province.
These efforts mirror recent policy shifts in other provinces, including Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, where similar regulatory changes have been introduced to streamline the path for internationally trained physicians.
More information about B.C.’s recruitment efforts and available health-care positions can be found at BCHealthCareers.ca.
