According to Northern Health, American health-care workers are applying to work in Northeast BC.
The health authority said 48 U.S. physicians had applied to work as of August. Three have been hired, and 40 are actively engaged in the recruiting process.
The province said it has received more than 1,400 job application from U.S. health-care workers since May of this year.
In March, the province launched a recruitment marketing campaign targeting West Coast cities in the United States. Advertisements ran in academic publications through September, and more than 2,950 health-care workers have expressed interest in moving to BC since.
The government has also worked to change policies making it easier for physicians to practice in the province.
A new credential recognition process has been introduced for U.S.-trained and certified nurses. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC has also implemented bylaw changes reducing testing and training requirements.
Doctors trained outside Canada and the United States can now relocate to BC without taking an additional exam, the licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.
The province also provides tools to support health-care professionals on their path to BC, such as Health Match BC or the “Team BC” model.
Northern Health said physicians have many options when choosing a community, and said the process still takes time to ensure licenses and credentials are in place.
The health authority added, “We continue to actively recruit and support physicians looking to come to BC and to advocate for our northern communities.”
