This document provides information for internationally educated health professionals on choosing Saskatchewan, including licensing requirements, job opportunities, and experiences of health professionals who have settled in Saskatchewan. It discusses English language proficiency, the licensing process, working in health care, options for immigrating, and features stories of health professionals from around the world who have found success working in Saskatchewan's health care system. Resources are provided on regulatory bodies, financial support programs, and finding available jobs in Saskatchewan's health care sector.

1. Internationally Educated Health
Professionals
Why Choose Saskatchewan?
Learn about Saskatchewan's health care system and find out why health professionals from around the
world come to Saskatchewan each year.
English is Important
Find information on English language requirements for health care professionals, how to have your
English tested, and options to improve your English.
Getting Licensed
Learn about the registration and licensing process for health care professionals. This section also
contains a list of regulatory bodies that grant licenses to practice, information on the process to get
licensed for most health care occupations, and a guide to help you research the licensing process for
your profession.
Working in Health Care
Saskatchewan offers many job opportunities in health care. Learn what health care professionals
should know about working in Saskatchewan and find links to websites that list available health care
jobs.
Options for Immigrating
Learn about the options for immigrating to Saskatchewan as a health care professional.
Assess Your Situation
This section contains a list of five factors that other immigrants have found helped them succeed in
Saskatchewan: English Language proficiency; eligibility for a licence; employment; adaptability; and

2. the Saskatchewan "fit".
Common Questions
This section lists common questions about getting a licence in a regulated health profession, such as:
Do I need a licence to work in my profession in Saskatchewan? How do I obtain a licence? How long
will it take and how much will it cost? What can I do before I arrive?
Experiences Working in
Saskatchewan's Health Care
System
Health professionals from around the world have settled in Saskatchewan and are making a significant
contribution.
Senthil

3. For some, choosing a Saskatchewan
community means they can focus on their specialty. Senthil is a psychiatrist with Child and Youth Services
at the Regina General Hospital.
"Although I had several offers across Canada, I decided to come to Regina because the job was in my area
of specialty. Also, there was a community of Indian doctors here and it was a larger center for my family."
Senthil found his present position through an internet search. Within six months from when he applied, he
was offered the position.
"The health region sponsored me for a site visit and helped me obtain a working visa. I recommend others
take advantage of the site visits. It helped me make my decision."
Senthil eased his transition by contacting his co­workers before he arrived.
"Prior to coming, I was able to talk via email and phone with the other psychiatrists on staff. This made a

4. big difference. I felt we had established a rapport and I had a better understanding of the job.
The General Hospital is a wonderful place to work. In addition to my practice, I mentor psychiatry students
as a Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of Saskatchewan. I enjoy working with the students."
(Read more about Senthil's experience).
Patricia
Family plays a big part for some in the
decision to come to Saskatchewan. Patricia's sister­in­law Charity encouraged her to come and helped her
find work at a long­term care facility.
"My first job was as a nurses' aide at the health care facility where my sister­in­law works. Because I was
trained as a Registered Nurse and had landed immigrant status, I was able to work in health care

5. immediately. After I qualified for my graduate nurse licence, I moved into a nursing position in the same
facility."
Nursing in Canada is different from Ghana.
"Medicine is medicine wherever you are in the world. However, I found the approach different in Canada.
Nurses, for example, have a lot more responsibilities in Ghana. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to attend
a program that helps internationally trained health professionals understand the differences and adjust to the
Canadian health care system. It was very helpful and I would recommend it to others."
Co­workers have helped Patricia adjust to her new environment.
"I have found people very willing to help if they know you need help. I am not shy. If I have difficulty in a
particular area, I ask for help."
In the future, Patricia hopes to draw on her past research experience to contribute to AIDS research.
"Back home in Ghana, I held a variety of positions including AIDS research. I hope in the future to become
involved with a local group that is looking at HIV/AIDS programming."
(Read more about Patricia's experience).
Mawien

6. For some health professionals, moving out of the major
cities can mean more opportunities to develop within their profession. Mawien chose to practice in a rural
hospital.
"I am a Family Physician at the Wynyard Hospital and Community Health center. Practicing in a rural
community allows me to use my skills more fully than I would be able to in a larger center. We see quite a
variety of cases and have to quickly assess who to treat and who to transfer to the city hospitals."
Saskatchewan offers additional support for physicians moving to rural areas.
"A special program provides some funding for physicians who come to rural areas. It is good to know about
these things and to apply."
For Mawien, working in a hospital as a nuclear medicine technologist for four years eased the transition to
practising medicine in Canada.
"I had a good understanding of the Canadian health care system and experience interacting with the patients

7. as a technologist ­ now I do it as a physician."
Mawien was recently recognized with a national award for research.
"A colleague and I received the 2008 national Family Medicine Resident Scholarship award for our research
on Vitamin D levels. I like research. Several other doctors and I are now looking at possible research
topics related to rural medicine."
(Read more about Mawien's experience).
Anne
Those who have settled in Saskatchewan,
know the importance of support and a "home away from home" when they first arrive.

8. Anne, a registered nurse originally from the Philippines, is helping to create an association to support new
Filipino nurses.
"I have worked as an operating room nurse at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina since 2004. When I first
arrived, I was shocked to realize that I had to start over from scratch. I had to establish myself as
someone who could do her job.
I had to build trust and a rapport with my co­workers. I know what the adjustment is like, so I am
passionate about helping to create an association for Filipino nurses. It will support new nurses as they
arrive, begin work and prepare for their exams."
Anne feels she has received good support from her work unit.
"The unit where I work in the hospital is wonderful. When I first arrived, I had the skills but I found the
environment was very different. The Canadian health care system, unlike the Philippines, uses a
community­based approach and is patient driven. The senior nurses were always there to help me."
The learning goes both ways.
"We have a number of Canadian and internationally trained nurses working together. There are cultural
differences. For example, eye contact in Canada is a sign of respect; in the Philippines, it is a sign of
disrespect. The hospital provides training to help nurses learn from each other. It is making a difference."
(Read more about Anne's experience).

9. Get More Information
● College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
●
○ Physicians - Applying to Saskatchewan for Assessment of Credentials
● National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
●
● Registered Psychiatric Nurses' Association of Saskatchewan
●
● Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
●
● Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
●
● Saskatchewan Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
●
● Saskatchewan College of Midwives
●
● Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists
●
● Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists
●
● Saskatchewan College of Psychologists
●
● Saskatchewan Dental Assistants' Association
●
● Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association
●
● Saskatchewan Dietitians Association
●
● Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association
●
● Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists
●
● Saskatchewan Society of Occupational Therapists

10. Bursaries
● Saskatchewan Health Bursary Program
Retention Program
● Provincial Nursing Mentorship Initiative
● Saskatchewan Graduate Retention Program
Are there job opportunities for me in
Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan has opportunities for health care workers in certain professions. While job openings are
available in any health occupation, physicians, nurses, medical techologists and technicians and a number
of the therapy occupations are in high demand. Check the job sites listed below to see what positions are
available in your occupation:
● Health Careers in Saskatchewan is the provincial recruitment agency that helps job seekers find
employment with the Saskatchewan regional health authorities and the Saskatchewan Cancer
Agency.
● Health Regions: Saskatchewan is divided into 13 regions. Each has a regional health authority
that organizes and delivers health services.
● Saskjobs.ca is the largest job­posting site in Saskatchewan. It has job postings in entry­level,
trade, professional and management positions.
● Here you can find more information to assist you in your job search.
Not all health professionals are hired in the public healthcare system. Many regulated health professionals,
such as chiropractors, dental assistants,dental hygienists, optometrists, pharmacists and podiatrists
work in private businesses. For example, dentists set up their own businesses and often hire dental
therapists and dental assistants. Many private clinics offer physiotherapy services, and private diagnostic
labs also employ health care workers.
You can start your job search before you come to Canada. If you already qualify for a license, or if you want
to work in an unregulated position, you may be eligible for a temporary work permit

11. Contact me
Amarjot Singh
Licensed Immigration Consultant R508214
Web > immigrationteacher.org
Tel 780-707-4831
Linkedin