More healthcare workers continue to come into the province thanks to the Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain. 

In a provincial release, Health Minister Paul Merriman said in that work continues to progress under all four pillars of the Action Plan. 

"As we start a new year, I look forward to more actions to build on the successes we have had so far,” he said. “It's important we continue to spread the word that Saskatchewan is an outstanding place to build and grow your health care career."   

MLA Everett Hindley added that it's encouraging to see the progress being made.

"Our province has a lot to offer to those interested in training and working in health care, from recent graduates to experienced health professionals," he said. "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."

From distributing further social media content targeting nursing students across the country, to approving a total of 31 Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive packages, Saskatchewan is bringing in health-care workers from home and abroad.

Details on what is being done under each sector of the HHR Action Plan, are as follows from the release:

Recruiting: 

Recruitment of health care professionals from the Philippines:  

  • To date, over 160 job offers have been made to Filipino health care workers including Registered Nurses (RNs), Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) and Medical Lab Assistants. One CCA started working and settled in Moose Jaw in December.  

  • RN's with conditional offers are now moving through the RN Pathway which includes bridging language, education and licensing. 

  • A full staff complement of health system navigators have sent a survey to over 1,000 participants who attended in-person sessions in Manila to learn more about their experience and promote navigation services now available. 

  • The Ministry of Advanced Education is working with post-secondary partners on further collaboration with Philippines nursing programs following the recent mission to the country.  

Advertising campaign: 

  • The advertising campaign featuring health care professionals who have built a successful career in Saskatchewan continues into the winter with a testimonial from Maria, a Registered Nurse originally from the Philippines.  

  • The next segment of the campaign focusing on health career opportunities for Saskatchewan students will be launched soon. 

Unlicensed Internationally Educated Health Care Professionals (IEHPs) residing in Saskatchewan/Canada: 

  • The SHA has extended conditional offers to nine Saskatchewan-based RNs who are participating in the bridging education program. 

  • The Ministry of Health has received more than 600 applications from internationally educated health care workers: over 500 from Saskatchewan and 100 from other provinces. These applicants will be provided information on available supports and job opportunities. 

Training: 

Connections with Indigenous Technical Institutes (SIIT): 

  • SIIT has expanded the Health Care Aid Program in Prince Albert with an additional 20 seats to be added in the winter semester.  

Training Pathways for High School Students: 

  • The Ministry of Advanced Education continues to work with the Ministry of Education to distribute material to K-12 students regarding inter-provincial training opportunities and careers. 

SHA health student events: 

  • Job Shadow opportunities are available for high school students (Grade 12) or adults considering a career in health care. 

  • Various volunteer opportunities are offered to students older than 14 across the province. 

Incentivizing: 

Improve job offers and connections for nursing graduates: 

  • Of the 78 graduates from the Saskatchewan December cohort, 68 students have submitted their expression of interest to the SHA for the Grad Nurse Expression of Interest initiative that matches graduates with an area based on skills and preferences.  

  • As of January 18, 2023, 29 students have accepted their conditional job offers. 

  • The SHA developed and distributed further social media content targeting nursing students across the country highlighting incentives available. Twenty-nine candidates from outside the province have expressed interest and the SHA is following up to complete screening/interviews. 

Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI): 

  • Up to $50,000 incentive for a three-year return-of-service agreement is available to new employees in nine high priority positions in rural and remote areas. 

  • For a complete listing of eligibility criteria and eligible locations, visit saskatchewan.ca/HHR

  • Since launching in October 2022, 31 incentives have been approved for the following occupations: Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Continuing Care Assistant, Combined Lab & X-ray Technician, Medical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Radiation Technologist in North Battleford, Wilkie, Indian Head, Moose Jaw, Redvers, Outlook, Lloydminster, Prince Albert, Meadow Lake, La Ronge, Leader, Kamsack, Estevan, Swift Current and Weyburn. 

Final Clinical Placement Bursary: 

  • To date, $210,000 in bursaries have been paid out to Saskatchewan students in 2022-23. 

Retaining: 

First Nations and Métis Recruitment and Retention: 

  • The Indigenous Birth Support Worker program, a partnership between the Saskatchewan Health Authority and The Gabriel Dumont Technical Institute, is offering 12 seats for an 8-week program commencing March 2023.  

  • Recruitment and retention engagement sessions with a number of tribal Councils, First Nations/Métis Saskatchewan were held in November, December and January. 

New Full-Time and Enhanced Part-Time to Full-Time Permanent Positions:  

  • As of January 11, the SHA has hired 92 of the 164 positions posted in nine high-priority classifications in rural and remote locations experiencing service disruptions.