Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive

• The Ministry of Health is offering a one-time rural and remote recruitment incentive of up to $50,000 to health care workers in high priority positions in rural and remote Saskatchewan locations. Applications will remain open while funds last.
• The incentive is paid over three years for a matching return-of-service agreement to new employees of the SHA/Affiliate filling a permanent full-time position in one of the high-priority classifications in one of the rural and remote locations listed below:

• The three-year return in service is required to be completed in the same location/department identified in the service agreement.
• The Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive is considered taxable income and a T4A will be provided for each corresponding year in which funds are received.

Applications are currently open. (Eligibility updates effective June 15, 2024)

Applicants must have begun employment in the permanent full-time position in one of the high-priority classifications and rural and remote locations listed above before applying. Conditional letters of offer will not be accepted.

New Employees:

• Net New Employee to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)/Affiliate or new classification. You must begin employment in a permanent full time equivalent (PFTE 1.0) position and apply within six months of beginning that position.
  
  Note: Beginning employment in anything other than the PFTE 1.0 position is not eligible for the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive.

Former Employees:

• An individual who left employment of the SHA/Affiliate prior to the launch of the Incentive (September 7, 2022) and who has returned to a permanent full-time position in one of the high priority classifications (listed above) in one of the rural and remote areas on or after launch date is eligible to apply.

New Graduates:

• A new graduate who graduated within the last six months, in one of the eligible classifications working with a Grad Licence, will have up to four months to write their exam to become fully licensed and obtain the permanent full-time position. This is done consecutively.
  
  NOTE: if fully licensed before obtaining employment, the four-month grace period is not eligible and fully licensed classifications must begin employment as per eligibility bullet one.

Work Permit:

• An individual who is legally entitled to work in Canada is eligible to apply. Must provide documentation with application and meet the other noted eligibility criteria.

Not Eligible:

1. Current employees of the SHA/Affiliate or the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA).
   Exception: A current employee of the SHA/Affiliate/SCA who is working in one classification and becomes licensed in another high priority classification listed, is eligible to apply. All other criteria must be met. (i.e. LPN, RN)
2. Individuals who complete or have completed an educational program whose classification does not change.
3. Recruits from the SHA Philippines International Recruitment Initiative.

The Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive is allocated as follows:

• $50,000 allocated over three years (Y1 $20,000, Y2 $15,000, Y3 $15,000) for Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners.
• $40,000 allocated over three years ((Y1 $15,000, Y2 $15,000, Y3 $10,000) for Combined Lab and X-Ray Technicians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Medical Laboratory Technologists and Medical Radiation Technologists; and
• $30,000 allocated over three years (Y1 $15,000, Y2 $10,000, Y3 $5,000) for Continuing Care Assistants and Medical Laboratory Assistants.

Graduate Retention Rebate Recipients

• If in receipt of the Graduate Retention Rebate, the maximum amount of the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive allowable is $30,000.

Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive Application

• Applications are currently open.
• Applications must be submitted via email to hhr@health.gov.sk.ca. No photos of an application form will be accepted.
• Applications must include:
  • The completed application form;
  • A copy of the employee’s signed letter of offer from the SHA or an Affiliate; and
  • A copy of the work permit (if applicable).

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• Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
• Within four to six weeks of receipt of an application, applicants will be notified of the outcome by email.

• Successful applicants will be provided a three-year Return-in-Service (RIS) Agreement.
• RIS Agreements must be signed and returned as soon as possible for processing. The first funding allocation will be issued within two to four weeks after receipt of the signed Agreement.
• 11 months following the award of year one of the incentive, recipients and the SHA or Affiliate will be contacted to confirm employment and determine eligibility for the year two payment. Eligibility for year three payments will be assessed 11 months after the year two payment.
• Failure to fulfill the RIS agreement may result in default of the agreement. If it is determined that there is default of the agreement, next steps for repayment and/or discontinuance of the RIS will be determined.

If you require any further information, please contact hhr@health.gov.sk.ca.