$3 million in new funding secured for professional development of HSPBA members

A total of $3 million will soon be available for professional development of health care workers who are members of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA), thanks to new funding secured from the BC Ministry of Health.

The funding, which matches the total provided in 2018 and 2021, is aimed at supporting further specialization of skills in key professions and will be available to all health science professionals covered by the HSPBA collective agreement. With B.C.’s health care system now struggling with dire shortages of health science professions in many disciplines, the funding is an important part of the urgent action needed to train, recruit and retain these specialized health professionals.

The funding is to be allocated to training and upgrading skills for HSPBA members working in professions experiencing shortages, or in rural and remote locations, as well as ongoing required professional development for all HSPBA members. The funding will apply to education or training commenced between April 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023. The education or training must pertain to professional development in a health science professional discipline being practiced in the public health care system.

Eligible expenses for reimbursement include tuition fees, registration fees, cost of required books or materials, and other reasonable education-related expenses. These may also include reasonable costs of travel and accommodation if the applicant must travel or temporarily relocate to attend education or training or related clinical placement.

All health science professionals covered by the HSPBA collective agreement, which includes members of HSA, BCGEU, CUPE, PEA and HEU, are eligible to apply for funding. Application forms will be available very soon.