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International Healthcare Staffing

Updated: Apr 17, 2023


There is currently an insufficient supply of healthcare workers, including nurses, physicians, and support staff in Ontario, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-term care homes, retirement residences, and hospitals are particularly impacted by this shortage.


To address this shortage, the Ontario government has announced various initiatives, including investing in training and education programs for healthcare workers and increasing wages and benefits for healthcare workers. Additionally, the government has partnered with various organizations to provide temporary staffing support during the pandemic, such as the Canadian Red Cross and the Ontario Hospital Association.


Nevertheless, there remains a significant shortage of healthcare workers in the province. To address this, healthcare facilities may need to consider international recruitment to supplement the local workforce.


International recruitment can help fill the gaps in the healthcare workforce by providing qualified and experienced healthcare professionals who are willing to work in Ontario. This can help alleviate the shortage of healthcare workers and improve the quality of care provided to patients. Recruiting internationally also provides access to a global talent pool of healthcare professionals who may bring new skills and perspectives to the Ontario healthcare system. This can help improve the quality of care provided and lead to better patient outcomes.


Long-term care homes, retirement residences, and hospitals can partner with qualified healthcare staffing agencies to leverage the supply of international healthcare professionals to address the staffing shortage by taking the following steps:


Identify reputable international staffing agencies: Long-term care homes can partner with reputable international staffing agencies that specialize in recruiting and placing healthcare professionals from abroad. This can involve conducting research to identify agencies with a track record of successfully placing qualified candidates. When vetting potential healthcare staffing agency partners, it is a good idea to ask for examples or have the agency provide an overview of its international recruitment process.

Understand immigration and licensing requirements: Long-term care homes should understand the immigration and licensing requirements for international healthcare professionals in Canada, including the process for obtaining work visas, professional licensing, and certification. This can involve working with immigration and legal experts to navigate the complexities of the process. For healthcare service providers who do not have that knowledge in-house, it's important to confirm that any healthcare staffing agency partners either have immigration consultants on their team or that they are working with one to ensure that the right policies and standards are in place.


Develop orientation and training programs: Long-term care homes should develop orientation and training programs for international healthcare professionals to ensure that they are familiar with the facility's policies, procedures, and expectations. This can involve providing education and training on resident safety, infection control, and other critical areas.


Provide cultural and linguistic support: Long-term care homes should provide cultural and linguistic support for international healthcare professionals to ensure that they can communicate effectively with residents and other staff members. This can involve offering language training, cultural orientation, and other resources to support integration into the facility's culture.


Ensure ongoing support and supervision: Long-term care homes should ensure that international healthcare professionals receive ongoing support and supervision to ensure that they are providing high-quality care and following established policies and protocols. This can involve regular check-ins, providing feedback and coaching, and ensuring that international healthcare professionals have access to the resources they need to perform their job duties effectively.


By partnering with healthcare staffing agencies to leverage the supply of international healthcare professionals, healthcare service providers can expand their pool of qualified candidates and address the staffing shortage. A properly implemented international recruitment process will also allow healthcare service providers to maintain high standards of care while ensuring that international healthcare professionals are fully integrated into the facility's culture and operations.


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