Amid staffing shortages in health care, B.C. is implementing a new program that prioritizes the immigration of skilled workers in that sector.
Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen said in a statement Thursday (March 11) that the goal is to place a greater focus on various kinds of health-care workers and social workers within the framework of the province鈥檚 immigration nominee program.
Changes also immediately provide a pathway to permanent residence for people already living in B.C. and working in these sectors, the province said.
In addition to prioritizing physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses and other specialty practices, the province is also adding health-care assistants to the pre-determined list of in-demand jobs.
鈥淗ealth-care assistants who support seniors in long-term care, assisted living and in their homes are among the most in-demand occupations in British Columbia, both today and for years to come,鈥� said Terry Lake, CEO of the BC Care Providers Association.
鈥淭hese important changes to the Provincial Nominee Program will help to meet the growing needs of the care economy, which in turn will benefit B.C. seniors and those who care for them.鈥�
B.C.鈥檚 nominee program makes up about one-third of all immigrants who move to the province for work. In 2021, B.C. had an allocation of 6,750 nominations, and is expected to reach, or exceed that level in 2022.
This priority access for health-care workers makes up roughly three per cent of annual nominations, but is expected to increase by employer demand. That鈥檚 compared to tech-related jobs, which makeup 30 per cent of nominations.
The pre-determined list of health-care jobs includes:
Managers in health care
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
Specialist physicians
General practitioners and family physicians
Dentists
Chiropractors
Allied primary health practitioners
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Pharmacists
Dietitians and nutritionists
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
Medical laboratory technologists
Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists鈥� assistants
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
Medical radiation technologists
Medical sonographers
Cardiology technologists and electrophysical diagnostic technologists
Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
Denturists
Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
Practitioners of natural healing
Licensed practical nurses
Paramedical occupations
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
Dental assistants
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient-service associates
Psychologists
Social workers
Family, marriage and other related counsellors
Social and community service workers
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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