Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are given priority on all job opportunities in the Province of British Columbia. Due to the substantial recruitment needs for the expanding Child and Youth Mental Health Services, we anticipate there may be a shortage of qualified Canadian candidates. In light of this anticipated demand, non-Canadian candidates may be considered for vacant positions.

General Immigration Information for Foreign Clinical Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses & Clinical Social Workers

Many people who come to live and work in Canada bring very high levels of education. However, their educational and professional credentials must be reviewed against Canadian or provincial standards in order to be recognized by academic or professional regulatory bodies. Please review the information provided on the International Credential Evaluation Service for more information on how to get your education credentials assessed and evaluated.

In addition to having the required education, all Nurse candidates must be licensed to practice nursing in the Province of British Columbia under the Registered Nurses and/or Psychiatric Nurses Act. Clinical Psychologists must be registered, or eligible for registration, with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia. All Clinical Social Workers must be registered or eligible for clinical registration with the Board of Registration for Social Workers. (Please visit our BC Professional Regulatory Bodies page for information on the registration process.)

Immigration to Canada can be a lengthy and involved process. Some foreign-trained professionals, such as Clinical Psychologists and Nurses, may be eligible under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to receive nomination on behalf of the province for permanent resident status through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

If you are a successful candidate, the Ministry of Children and Family Development will work in partnership with the PNP to fast track your application for permanent resident status. Current processing times for an individual making an application for permanent residency (independent from the PNP) can take up to three years, depending on your country of origin. If you are successfully nominated through the PNP, the processing time for obtaining permanent residency is much quicker (approximately one year). Nomination through the PNP allows you to apply for a work permit and commence employment with the work permit prior to receiving your permanent residency. The PNP application includes family members and dependants. Permanent job offers are conditional and failure to obtain permanent residency status in Canada will result in termination of employment.

Foreign candidates are encouraged to review the PNP and CIC web sites and become familiar with the immigration process prior to submitting an application for CYMH opportunities.

If you have general questions about Canada's Citizenship and Immigration, check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca.

Relocation Assistance

If you are offered a position with BC Child & Youth Mental Health, and must move to a new town/city to accept that position, you will be eligible for relocation assistance. Please inquire about relocation assistance at the time of your offer.