Nova Scotia appeals to Canada to help bring foreign doctors

Canada immigration programs for skilled workers are conducted both on federal and provincial levels. Programs like Express Entry draws and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) help find and invite professionals who come to work and settle in Canada. They help the economy to survive and thrive with their hard work and skill.

Nova Scotia, Canada’s eastern province, has lately appealed to Canada’s federal government for help in immigration. The province wants to bring in international physicians amid restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

A statement has been given by the province’s health authority. It says that 13 doctors from the UK, the US, and South Africa, supposed to start service between March and June, have been affected by Canada’s travel restrictions.

This group of doctors is a mix of family physicians and specialists. The officials are hopeful that the doctors could still be brought in with special permission sought from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

These doctors were recruited before the COVID-19 crisis increased in Canada. Now is a time when medical professionals are in high demand globally due to the pandemic.

In the normal course, physicians can make site visits during the recruitment process. They can thus arrive in Nova Scotia to observe the province and its working conditions.

But due to the pandemic, these visits are also on hold. It’s a challenge similar to what immigration Canada is facing overall.

The Nova Scotia Nominee Program operates two streams to solve a shortage of doctors in the province. They are:

• The Physician Stream
• Labor Market Priorities for Physicians

These serve the purpose of recruiting doctors through the Express Entry system.

The Physician Stream

The Nova Scotia Physician Stream helps the province’s public health system to hire family physicians, specialist physicians, and general practitioners. It's designed to serve the purpose of helping to recruit and retain doctors in the province. The province has been unable to find Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill these positions.

Requirements

Proof of legal status in the country of residence

If the candidate is living in Canada, he/she must give proof of legally being a temporary worker or visitor. If the candidate applies from outside Canada, he/she must give proof of legal status in the candidate’s country of residence. If the candidate has lost his/her status, he/she isn't eligible to apply until the status gets restored.

Proof of jobs offered

A written approved opportunity with the Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Centre or Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is required. This could be as a:

• Specialist physician (NOC 3111) or
• General practitioner and family physician (NOC 3112)

The approved opportunity must be on official IWK or NSHA and must:

• Be dated and signed by an authorized person to hire physicians at IWK or NSHA
• Be dated and signed by the applicant who is accepting the opportunity
• Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
• Indicate that the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with IWK and the NSHA

Proof of education & training

For licensure in Nova Scotia, the candidate must produce proof of education and medical training or copy of an Education Credential Assessment.

Proof of language skill

An employment offer issued by IWK or NSHA that proves the ability to perform the job in one of Canada’s official languages.

Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities for Physicians-Express Entry

The Nova Scotia Labor Market Priorities for Physicians stream helps the province to select qualified doctors whose profiles are available in the federal Express Entry pool.

The stream aims specifically at:

• NOC 3111: Specialist Physicians
• NOC 3112: Family Physicians

Requirements

• Approved job offered by IWK or NSHA as:
  • Family Physician (NOC 3112) or
  • Specialist Physician (NOC 3111)
• Commitment to live and work in the province for at least 2 years
• A Letter of Interest received from the NSNP via Express Entry
• Submit your application within 30 days of the issue date of the Letter of Interest
• Meet the minimum work experience requirements of the Express Entry-linked program for which the candidate has qualified
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to establish the candidate and his/her family in the province
• Have legal status in the candidate’s current country of residence

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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