Quebec opens the door for internationally educated health workers

These people, who will not be able to exercise the function of doctor, will be called upon to occupy other functions , according to the ministry, which does not specify them.

This initiative is part of the I contribute campaign launched by the MSSS, Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Anyone with experience or training in health or social services and who wishes to help with the situation related to the spread of COVID-19 is invited to complete the form posted on the campaign website ( New window) .

When asked if internationally educated health workers could be called in as medical doctors, a spokesperson for the ministry said the option was not on the table yet.

Currently, due to the load shedding of non-essential activities that have taken place in the network, the MSSS believes that the number of doctors is sufficient to meet the need.

It is however possible, according to her, for foreign graduates who do not have a license to practice from the College of Physicians to practice in Quebec to serve the network in other functions where their health experience can be put to use in this period of crisis .

These people will be able to send their CV within the framework of the campaign and will be challenged according to their profile and needs […] The work experiences of each are analyzed on a case by case basis , adds Marie-Claude Lacasse by email.

Among the sectors to which campaign participants can contribute, we find the Info-Santé 811 telephone service, laboratory work and medical imaging, among others.

Ms. Lacasse specifies, however, that the initiative aims to meet labor needs in the network in times of pandemic.

This initiative is not a route to depart from the mechanisms in place to obtain a license to practice medicine from the Collège des médecins du Québec.