Greetings from the iehp atlantic Connection Steering Committee



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Volume 1, December, 2013

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Greetings from the

IEHP Atlantic Connection Steering Committee
I am pleased to welcome you to this, the first edition of the Atlantic Connection newsletter. The newsletter has been implemented to provide another means for members of the Atlantic Connection Network to communicate with each other and to share our collective and ongoing work to attract, integrate and retain IEHPS to the healthcare systems of Atlantic Canada. Feel free to spread the word, and share your accomplishments in following editions. Sit back, put up your feet and enjoy!
Beth McGinnis, Chair

beth.mcginnis@gnb.ca


Network Members Receive Prestigious Awards in 2013
Sheila MacLean, Physician Recruitment Coordinator from the Department of Health, Prince Edward Island was the recipient of three prestigious awards in 2013. Sheila is involved with the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada in the Community Integration and Retention Project, sponsored by the Atlantic Connection Steering Committee on PEI. Click here to view video

The first annual International Qualifications Network (IQN) Awards Ceremony was hosted at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, on March 13, 2013. Atlantic Canada was well represented


In the Award Category: Workplace Integration. The winner was Greater Halifax Partnership: Connector Program. Honourable Mentions were received by Engineers Nova Scotia and Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS): Internationally Educated Engineers Worksite and Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS): IPG Bridging Program video.
In the Award Category: Engagement. Atlantic Canadian organizations received two honourable mentions: Government of Nova Scotia: Multi-Stakeholder Work Groups,

New Brunswick Medical Laboratory Technologist Bridging Program.


Congratulations to all for the hard work and dedication that has led to the well-deserved recognition! Click here to read the IQN Press Release
June MacDonald, Program Manager Atlantic Connection

info@iehpatlanticconnection.ca



A YouTube video for the Self Assessment Readiness Tools© (SARTs) for IEHPs
The SART© development team is busy creating a YouTube video to further inform and promote the SART© tools.  Clearly, social media is becoming a powerful way of reaching a variety of audiences. Over the past two years, the SART team has had a number of requests from stakeholders for such an information platform.  The team is confident that the video will extol the many benefits to be gained from tool completion and dispel any reluctance of a viewer to undertake the self assessment. In doing so, the tools will reach a broader market. The SART© team has generated a script for professional voice over.  Nova Scotia Community College’s Online Learning will develop the video using the script and a number of resources such as photos, professions specific videos and web links.   Many of these are offered through and support Atlantic Connection. The finished product will be added to the Atlantic Connection website. Watch for it, enjoy and encourage others to do the same!
Jane Wojcik, Project Coordinator SARTs

jane@price-macdonald.com




TABLE OF CONTENTS

SART YouTube 1

Fair Registration Review 1

Nursing Assessment 2

Responsive Leadership 3

Benefits of Collaboration 3

Microloans for IEHPs 4


INTRODUCING A NEW PAN-CANADIAN APPROACH

TO THE ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED NURSES

The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is an incorporated national body of 22 member nurse regulatory bodies that collectively developed a harmonized approach to the initial assessment of internationally educated nurses (IENs). This service provides greater transparency, timeliness and predictability across Canadian jurisdictions, in addition to applying rigorous standards for qualification assessment, in the interest of the public.



Key funding for the 4 year implementation plan has been provided primarily by governments as well as contributions by the 22 licensed practical nurse, registered nurse and registered psychiatric nurse member regulatory bodies.
What will success look like?

  • One single bilingual NNAS website

  • A portal to one harmonized IEN application form (with online payment)

  • No redundancy with any of the provincial/territorial regulatory bodies

  • Centralized document collection and competency based assessment of applicant files

  • One national database of IEN applicants for statistical tracking

  • Service agreements between the NNAS and each regulatory body for receipt of files and completed assessment reports of applicants seeking registration in a specific province or territory. A key benefit of the NNAS is increased access for IENs based on multiple delivery channels, enhanced online capabilities, and faster turnaround time for basic processes.


Organizational Structure

  • A 12 member NNAS Board of Directors was established on incorporation in June 2012 representing all 3 nursing groups (LPN, RN, RPN). In addition to providing strategic guidance and policy direction the board will ensure a nationally consistent approach.

  • A Board Implementation Sub Committee to provide project oversight and strategic guidance.

  • Project Management Office and Change Management services are being provided by The Atkinson Group Inc., providing support in coordinating and monitoring project activities among CGFNS, NNAS and all regulatory bodies, in addition to guidance on evaluation of the project during the two years following full implementation.

  • A national Change Management Team is the linchpin between the NNAS implementation plan and operational adoption within each regulatory body across the country.

  • CGFNS International as the vendor to develop and deliver a centralized IEN application and assessment service for all member regulatory bodies, in collaboration with and guidance from regulatory bodies and subject matter expert consultants. They will also provide knowledge transfer/support for adoption.



Progress

The implementation project officially started on February 1, 2013 and is now in halfway through the eighteen months of design and development of the new system. Once complete there will be a 4 month pilot to test the new system and make any required adjustments; and finally a formalized period of operational training for all regulators will be conducted on the new system. Full implementation is forecast for first quarter of 2015 followed by two years to monitor and evaluate until fully sustainable. Regulators and subject matter experts will meet in Toronto November 5th, 6th and 7th for a series of interactive workshops with CGFNS, who will present an initial design of the IEN assessment methodology and tools, as well as an initial prototype of the NNAS system design. This will provide opportunity for a collaborative review, discussion/feedback and the chance to confirm direction prior to CGFNS proceeding with the design phase of the project. A coordinated communication plan with details on the coming changes and implications on the pathway to registration for internationally educated nurses interested in applying to work in Canada will be broadcast through all regulatory body communication channels in January 2014, as well to key national and provincial stakeholders.

For more information, please contact:

Anne Marie Atkinson

NNAS Project Management Office

annemarie@atkgroup.ca



RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP FOR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

Prince Edward Island has secured funding to develop and present a Responsive Leadership for Diverse Communities program. This will be developed and delivered by the NS and PEI Health Sector Council, and then handed off to the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEI ANC). Since providing the Responsive Leadership for a Diverse Workplace program, this seemed to be logical step in the process of helping integrate and retain internationally educated health professionals in the province. Summerside has been the community chosen to present the first workshop as a pilot project in helping develop communities around supporting and integrating IEHPs as new residents.

In advance of the responsive leadership program, the Provincial Physician Recruiter and the PEI ANC have been working closely to develop tools and services that promote integration and retention, with committees in Kings County and Prince County. Additionally, presentations are given locally and regionally to share the work of developing communities around integrating and retaining IEHPs. Additionally, we have been presenting to municipalities, services groups, and rotary clubs to get the word out about the need to support and integrate IEHPs, the Responsive Leadership program will follow in the footsteps of what has been started, as a way to train and support communities in the work of keeping IEHPs.

The toolkit for internationally educated health professionals is now in place in East Prince Health, East Kings Health and now moving forward in West Prince Health. The Responsive Leadership program will be launched early in 2014 and will strengthen existing work. For more information, contact Melanie Bailey, PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada, melanie@peianc.com.


Sheila MacLean

Physician Recruitment Coordinator, PEI





NOVA SCOTIA BENEFITS FROM COLLABORATION

WITH NEW BRUNSWICK’S MLT BRIDGING PROGRAM
The Nova Scotia College of Medical Laboratory Technologists (NSCMLT) is excited to collaborate with New Brunswick’s medical laboratory technologist bridging program.
All internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) in Nova Scotia must go through a prior learning assessment by our National Society located in Hamilton Ontario. Any educational gaps are addressed and successfully completed before IEMLTs are eligible to write the national exam and become licensed in Nova Scotia (NS). Prior to the bridging program in New Brunswick (NB), the IEMLTs faced huge costs to fulfill the educational requirements and large periods of time away from their family due to the nearest bridging program being located in Ontario.
New Brunswick’s bridging program is accessible online and offered in both official languages for IEMLTs, helping to expedite the licensing process for IEMLTs in NS. NSCMLT website offers a direct link to the NB bridging program. Our newcomers can do most of the learning online, with only minimal travel required to New Brunswick for the practical component. Nova Scotia will offer the clinical practicum close to home when possible.
NB’s bridging program will provide a specific educational program that addresses each individual’s needs to meet requirements for licensure in Nova Scotia. During their bridging program, NSCMLT is offering IEMLT’s a temporary restricted license to work in a field that they have already met the national competencies, while completing their additional educational requirements.
An additional benefit of the NB bridging program for NS Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) is any MLT that is returning to practice after an absence from the profession can use the program for their educational updating requirements.
The New Brunswick Bridging Program will aid our strategy to attract and retain more skilled MLT professionals.

MICROLOANS FOR IEHPs

The Education Loan program was developed with the idea that a need existed among Canadian immigrants to be able to upgrade their foreign credentials, but they required funding assistance to do so. With the aid of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council (NBMC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), individuals will be able to secure the financial assistance necessary to upgrade and/or qualify their credentials. This funding is intended to enable professionals to return to work in their intended occupation, or other related field.

One of the largest segments of people requiring Foreign Credential Recognition is Internationally Educated Health Professionals. Professionals request up to $15,000 to cover the cost of professional registration, licensing, examination fees, books and courses. Eligible candidates include Permanent Residents and Immigrant Canadian Citizens (who have Foreign Credentials).

Because of the partnership between NBMC and the Canadian Government, this community based loan program also helps the government of Canada understand what services best support internationally trained professionals and provide evidence towards the need for a permanent program.



Applications are currently being accepted through March 15, 2014. For more information or to apply for loan assistance call 506.453.1091 ext. 8 or visit www.nb-mc.ca

www.nb-mc.ca





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