Frequently Asked
Questions
GENERAL ALLIED HEALTH BURSARY PROGRAM QUESTIONS
On July 19, 2022, the Province of British Columbia announced $4.5M in funding to provide bursaries to high priority internationally educated allied health professionals (IEAHPs) that want to work in BC’s health system.
Health Match BC, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Health, will support eligible IEAHPs who want to work in BC by offering financial support to help pay for many of the costs associated with credential assessment, English Language proficiency testing, and supplementary education, such as exam preparation and bridging or gap-filling education.
To be eligible, IEAHPs must sign a Return of Service (ROS) agreement with the BC Ministry of Health to receive financial support through the bursary program.
By reducing barriers to the assessment and licensing or certification process, qualified IEAHPs will be able to enter the workforce sooner, so that people in British Columbia will have access to even more allied health professionals to support their healthcare needs.
INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS (IEMLTs)
INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (IEOTs)
INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS (IEPTs)
RETURN OF SERVICE (ROS) AGREEMENT
The return of service (ROS) agreement is an agreement between you and the Province of British Columbia that you will complete 1 year of full-time continuous service (i.e. not a casual position) with a publicly funded health sector employer in BC. The ROS term is extended to two years if you obtain employment of 0.5 FTEs or less. The length service will also be extended to account for leaves of absence, if applicable.
Qualifying public sector employers will be defined in your ROS agreement document. They include regional health boards designated under section 4(1) of the Health Authorities Act, Provincial Health Services Authority (collectively a “Health Authority”), First Nations Health Authority or Providence Health Care or at a publicly funded long-term care or assisted living (AL) facility OR a publicly-funded private lab provider that is approved by the Province in writing.
Qualifying Employers do not include contract agencies supplying staffing solutions to eligible facilities.
As a bursary recipient, you must obtain employment with a Qualifying Employer within 6 months of obtaining full licensure or certification in your profession, unless otherwise extended by the province. Upon commencement of a Qualifying Position to start the Return of Service Term, you will submit a letter to the Province from the Qualifying Employer confirming the start date of the Return of Service Term, using the Province’s Return of Service Commencement Form and submitting it to: healthbursaries@gov.bc.ca
IMMIGRATION
Yes, however, you must be qualified for the offered position. For regulated health professions, you would normally require a license to practice in BC prior to being accepted into the BC PNP. You must also meet all other eligibility requirements of the program. This includes:
- An offer of permanent, full-time employment with a provincial health authority
- Meeting the education, training, experience, and qualification requirements outlined by the provincial health authority.
- A written offer of employment on official company letterhead from the employer.
- Evidence that you meet the minimum income requirements.
- English language proficiency (if applicable).