Province short 1,000 health-care workers in key positions, NSGEU says

The number of job vacancies in Nova Scotia for highly skilled workers in dozens of health-care occupations has increased by nearly 200 per cent since 2019, the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU) reports in a news release.

That translates to a system that is 1,000 workers short. 

The union says data obtained from Nova Scotia Health through a Freedom of Information request shows that the number of vacancies in the health-care bargaining unit, which includes a wide range of specialized positions that include X-ray technologists, cardiovascular perfusionists and occupational therapists, has increased from 359.7 full-time equivalent positions in April 2019 to 1,070 by October 2023.

“There are thousands of highly skilled – and highly sought-after – health-care professionals we desperately need to operate and maintain equipment, process tests, and perform other critical tasks,” said NSGEU president Sandra Mullen.

The diverse bargaining unit includes more than 168 occupations working in 12 key service areas. The bargaining unit workers are represented by the NSGEU, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Unifor.

“The work they do is critically important, but we can see the vacancy rates have skyrocketed,” Mullen said.

The NSGEU says data shows the employer recognizes the need and has added many new health-care positions. Still, many of these posted positions remain vacant, as Nova Scotia Health is unable to recruit and retain qualified workers. 

“Our health-care system cannot function without the work of these health-care professionals,” Mullen said. “We are now more than 1,000 workers short, putting health care at risk. Government needs to act now.” 

There are more than 7,800 health-care professionals working in those positions for Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health.