Healthcare Industry Job Trends in Canada for Filipino Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for healthcare workers all over the world, and Canada is no exception. The increase in hospital activities requires additional manpower for efficient patient care. In addition, with the work of healthcare workers becoming more demanding, some could not handle the stress, so they are considering taking on new roles. In one survey among nurses, almost 70% of registered practical nurses in Ontario say they can’t provide adequate care for patients due to insufficient time and resources, and nearly one in two are considering leaving the profession.
Some provinces in Canada need more nurses than others. For example, Ontario has the lowest registered nurse-to-population ratio, meaning one nurse has to cater to more patients.
Job vacancies in the healthcare industry in Canada were higher than 57% in 2020 than in 2019. The shortage is particularly seen in nursing, with nurses young and old planning to leave their profession.
To address these concerns, Canada has to increase its nursing staffing levels and nursing graduates in the next few years. With shortages in the workforce, the country must source its nurses and other healthcare professionals from other countries like the Philippines.
Opportunities for Filipino Healthcare Workers in Canada
Given the situation of the healthcare industry in Canada, job openings are available for foreign nationals including Filipinos. In recent news, it was announced by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines that Saskatchewan, a province in Canada, has job opportunities for Filipino healthcare professionals. This program is part of the Canadian province’s plan to have more than 1,000 new health professionals in the next few years.
What are healthcare jobs available for Filipinos in Canada? Let us find out.
1. Registered Nurse
As mentioned earlier, the pandemic has increased the demand for registered nurses. This is due to the number of hospital patients increasing and current registered nurses changing careers or retiring early.
Registered nurses earn around $76,000 per year, and to make it even more attractive for applicants, medical institutions offer bonuses and rewards to registered nurses once they are employed.
To be accepted as a registered nurse, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and must be registered with territorial and regulatory authorities.
2. Licensed Practical Nurse
In the Philippines, we have board exams for registered nurses only. However, in Canada, they also have licensed practical nurses. How are they different?
While registered nurses work directly with patients, licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses. Also, registered nurses conceptualize healthcare plans for patients, while licensed practical nurses oversee implementing those plans. There is also a difference in the pay they get, with Registered Nurses earning more than Licensed Practical Nurses.
3. Pharmacists
In Canada, aspiring pharmacists must have a degree in pharmacy. Also, since they are provincially regulated, they must pass the exam by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada and must be registered in the province or territory where they intend to work. On average, a pharmacist earns around $92,000 per year.
4. Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians perform medical tests for patients and ensure the sanitary safety of laboratory equipment. They also prepare samples for analysis, identify microorganisms, and analyze the chemical content of samples.
To become one, you must complete a college certificate program in medical laboratory science. If working in British Columbia, this occupation is regulated.
A medical laboratory technician earns between $36,000 and $78,000 per year.
5. Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists are allied health professionals who treat the physical, mental, developmental, and emotional ailments that affect patients’ ability to perform daily tasks. For example, individuals injured during an accident and who lost certain physical abilities may need occupational therapy to still live a normal life.
To become one in Canada, you must have a degree in occupational therapy and relevant practical experience. You may also be required to complete the national certification examination. Occupational therapists could earn $30,000 to $50,000 annually.
6. Psychologist
Mental health is now getting as much importance as physical health nowadays. This has been a trend all over the world. That is why psychologists are also in-demand in Canada. Psychologists offer treatment plans and counseling to patients to help them overcome their mental health issues such as anxiety disorder, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depending on the province or territory you may be assigned, you must have a master’s degree or doctoral degree to become a psychologist in Canada. You also need to get a certification from a regulatory authority prior to working.
The stiffer requirements seem worth it as the average salary of a psychologist in Canada is around $140,000 per year.
Canada Job Recruitment Agency
If you are interested in applying for healthcare jobs in Canada or employing healthcare workers from the Philippines, be sure to course your application only through legitimate and POEA-accredited recruitment agencies, like Staffhouse International Resources. Staffhouse has been successfully and safely deploying Filipinos to various parts of the world since 1999. For its good practices, Staffhouse was named a Top Performer Awardee and Top Deploying Agency in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by the POEA. It also has a long-standing partnership experience with foreign placement agencies in the North American country.
Are you looking for a job in the healthcare industry of Canada? Then you are in the right recruitment agency!
Staffhouse is proud to once again partner with the Manitoba government for its upcoming campaign for Nurses.
Premier Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba, province of Canada, announced that a Manitoba delegation is heading to the Philippines this February 2023 for a recruitment drive. This is to pave the way for hundreds of qualified internationally educated nurses (IENs) and other health-care providers to move and work in Canada.
If you’re currently a nurse with 2+ years of experience in hospital (Acute Medicine) or Nursing Home (Care of the Elderly) and have completed IELTS or CELBAN, submit your pre-assessment package today at nurserecruits@staffhouse.com.
