আপনি কি একজন মেডিকেল ডাক্তার? কানাডাতে স্বাস্থসেবায় চাকরি করতে চান ?

Are you a medical doctor? Want to work in the healthcare sector in Canada?

THIS IS A MUST READ FOR THE BANGLADESHI MEDICAL DOCTORS, WHO ARE ALREADY IN CANADA OR RELATIVELY NEW, AND THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO IMMIGRATE HERE. IT WILL MAKE YOUR PLANNING BIT EASIER.

(এখানে আপনি লাইসেনসিং এর জন্য চেষ্টা করতে চাইলে কি করবেন, অথবা সেটা না করে হেলথ-কেয়ার সেক্টরের অন্য দিকে চাকরি করতে চাইলে কি করবেন সেটি সমন্ধে কিছু তথ্য দেওয়া হলো। এখানে আমি যেহেতু কয়েকটি বিষয় তুলে ধরেছি তাই আপনাকে একটু সময় নিয়ে, ধৈর্য ধরে পড়তে হবে। আর শুরুতেই যদি অল্প একটু ধৈর্য না ধরতে পারেন, বা মাত্র ৪/৫ পাতা পড়তে না পারেন তাহলে আপনার ক্যারিয়ার এর জন্য তো অনেক ধৈর্য এবং অনেক পড়াশুনার পর্ব বাকি আছে। দেশে যে অবস্থান রেখে এসেছেন সেই অবস্থান তাৎক্ষণিকভাবে এখানে পাওয়া যাবে না, তাই ধৈর্য আপনাকে ধরতেই হবে এবং সঠিক পথে আগাতে হবে অথবা দিকও পরিবর্তন করা লাগতে পারে, তবে সাফল্য আসবেই ইনশাল্লাহ!)

This information is mostly for the newcomer or relatively newcomer physicians form Bangladesh but will certainly be helpful for other IMGs as well. I think most of you have already known or will know soon after your arrival about the limited opportunity for the residency match or licensing, and there is available information on this issue. But recently, what I have observed that there is not much information available for those doctors who would like to do something in the healthcare sector in Canada prior to write the residency match exams or while preparing for the exams or even who do not want any clinical practice but some professional works in the healthcare/caring sector. Therefore, keeping that in mind I will try to pass some information which might help you to take informed decision and save your time, money and energy. I will give you some options to choose from.

Those who don’t know me, I am not a physician; rather I have been working in the healthcare sector for more than 10 years, mostly in the adult mental health field. I love what I do. For the past 10 years I have been supervising students from different universities. Besides, I was involved with Ryerson University’s one of the bridging programs to support Internationally Educated Professionals to prepare for the job search and interview process. Over the past 10 years I have had the opportunity to work with psychiatrist, family doctors, nurses and many other healthcare professionals. Whatever I will be telling based on that experience, and my connection with some wonderful Bangladeshi physicians here. I do believe there are other Bangladeshi physicians and healthcare professionals in Canada, who know better and have better information than me so, I would request them to weigh in and support our IMGs to achieve their career goals here in Canada.

I am currently working in a mental health agency funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care as a Case Manager. My work involves care coordination, psychosocial rehabilitation, counselling, advocacy, networking, motivational interview, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction support, housing support, justice and prevention, assessment etc. Psychiatrist does the pathological part, I mean they deal with the medication part, we do the whole psychosocial rehabilitation part to help the person to reintegrate into the society. We work under recovery model. I like this job because it is challenging and unpredictable, not monotonous or mundane. Most importantly, it’s very gratifying and rewarding.

As I mentioned above, most of us know the plight of the internationally trained medical doctors in Canada. The percentage of getting the residency (licensed) is very low for the IMGs. They are trying to change it but the change is not significant enough. The following article will give you a picture of it.

In 2015, Dr Monavvari, Chief of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital in Ontario and Dr Peters, Research Associate at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. Dr Feldman, Residency Program Site Director at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario did a research on IMG’s residency here in Canada. The research showed that only 6% IMGs get residency here. If you calculated how many Bangladeshi doctors has been given residency, I would say very little. So, you must decide what you want to do. Similarly, jobs in teaching, research or public health are very competitive. Please read the article on Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s NEWS, you will get a very detail picture. The name of the article is “A Sad Place, Past Present and Future” Here is the link of their article: You have to copy this link then paste it in the taskbar.

http://aipso.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43186952-a-sad-place-past-present-and-future

Here is another article from Toronto Star regarding the same issue.

http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/4818736-foreign-medical-grad-finds-ontario-system-tough-to-crack/

BUT MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET A RESIDENCY, IT’S HARD, COMPETITIVE AND COSTLY AS WELL, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME BANGLADESHI DOCTORS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND GOT THE RESIDENCY. IF YOU CAN AFFORD THE TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY YOU CERTAINLY CAN TRY AND OUR MEMBERS IN THE BCCB HEALTH CARE FORUM, WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS WILL SUPPORT YOU AT THEIR BEST.

NOW, SOME OF MY SUGGESTTIONS, ALTOUGH IT MAY NOT BE THE END OF THE WORLD.

 You must not jump into something right away, I mean don’t do a degree or course without given any dip thought and much exploration otherwise you will waste your time, money and energy. At this age, wasting your time and money could be a disaster.

AT FIRST, PLEASE FIND OUT HOW MUCH TIME YOU WILL BE ABLE TO INVEST FOR YOUR DESIRED CAREER (AFTER GIVING TIME YOUR CHILDREN, HUSBAND/WIFE, FACEBOOK, SMART PHONE, COOKING, SHOPPING, SOCIALIZATION ETC.). ALSO, FIND OUT YOUR ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. REMEMBER! THE PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH TO GET CANADIAN IMMIGRATION IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET A PROFESSIONAL JOB HERE IN CANADA.

Therefore, after assessing your own weakness and strength please check the following options and make your decision.

1. If you have two to four years of absolute time (I mean almost 100% time), money and patience then please go for the residency match exams. Last year, out of 2300 total residency in Ontario about 330 seats were for the IMGs (information could vary each year). It may roughly cost at least $4000 with limited guarantee. I am not discouraging anyone; just giving the real picture. If you chose to go for this then your initial task would be to go through the following links and then find a Bangladeshi physician (who has got the residency) and see how his English and how much time, money and energy he/she had to invest then if it suits you please go for it.

https://www.carms.ca/en/   ( Canadian Residency Matching)

http://www.royalcollege.ca/rcsite/canmeds/canmeds-framework-e  (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada)

2. If you did not want to seek residency match, rather wanted to go for a research related work then one of your first options could be Ryerson University’s Cheng School’s ITMD (ryerson.ca/ce/itmd) bridging program. Make sure you have very good communication skills in English and research experience.

Please go to this link to know about this program https://parobashiblog.com/প্রবাসে-চাকরী/কানাডাতে-ইমিগ্রান্ট-মেড/ or www.ryerson.ca/ce/itmd

There are other research related programs but I do not know anyone who have done those and found job after that, so you must inquire thoroughly before you get into those programs, I mean always find someone who have done the same thing and got the job, and how easy/hard was it.

3. You could study nursing. Nursing could be a great option for the Bangladeshi IMGs. The concept of nursing is different here than in Bangladesh, and through nursing degree you can make a good career in the healthcare sector. You may find a job in the long-term care center, hospital, community health clinic, mental health agency, community colleges etc. I know an Indian doctor who did it and currently working as a Long-Term Care facility manager.
4. You could do a course on Ultrasound or other similar technical course, then you might work as a technician in the hospital or a clinic. Of course, you need time and money as well.
5. Do a course on sleep disorder technician form Sleep and Alertness Clinic, Toronto. And get a job in a sleep clinic. You do not necessarily need any course for this kind of job but if you had one that would be an asset. This could be a good option while exploring and eventually write the residency match exams. Sleep and Alertness Clinic in Toronto runs the sleep disorder technician only in Saturday for about 3 months and it’s pretty good. The cost is reasonable.
6. Physician’s Assistance program in U of T.
7. Should you choose to work in the Mental Health sector, your starting point could be applying for degree/certificate on Community Mental Health Counselling, Addiction Counselling, Mental Health Case Management, Care Coordination, Trauma Counselling, CBT or DBT therapy, applied behavioral analysis, psychosocial rehabilitation etc.

At the same time, start volunteering or working in a PT/FT simple entry level job in the healthcare sector. Get experience and use it in your resume, it will help you to apply for a better position in the Mental Health sector.

I am attaching (at the bottom) a list of non-licensed healthcare sector jobs that you can choose form. Courtesy of this list, Dr. Shahriar bhai. Those are just a few options, there are more which you will learn as you explore.

Now, if you want to move on to a bit different direction you may do it after working for a while in this kind of positions. For example, you may want to teach, do a research, run a project, which you could not do right away after coming here.

For example, my current CEO, who earns about quarter of million started his career as a community mental health front line worker in CMHA. After that 7/8 years back he came to work in our organization as a communication director and then he moved on to the current position.

One of my colleagues who used to be a Mental Health Case Worker is currently teaching in an Addiction and Mental Health Worker Program in Centennial College. An Afghani gentleman who started his career like us now currently working at St. Joseph Hospital and CAMH. He also teaches at Seneca College and Ryerson University.

All those folks started their career in Canada from the bottom, so be ready to start from the beginning which you may not like. You may not get your desired position right away, which could have been ideal but unfortunately the system does not allow us to do that, so what to do! are we sitting down lamenting and blaming the system or start from the scratch.

Here is the next step:

You have decided and completed your degree/certificate/training and applying for the jobs but not unfortunately not getting any interview call, so what you do. At first, you must customize your resume and cover letter in Canadian standard then apply each position in accordance with its requirements, not just one set of resume and cover letter for all jobs (just changing the name and position). Of course, you should first apply for a simple entry level job in the healthcare sector, which may not be your ultimate choice. You just do it to have experience, and while on this job please apply for a better FT position.

There are some agencies who seem to hire only Social Services sector employees but you may apply there too, and this job is rotating shift which might help you to support your study or other job. They hire people to work in a group home, long term care home or work with the children who has autism or other developmental delays. Lots of Indian people I know have started their job here and now working in their desired position. I also know few Bangladeshis, who are currently working, and had worked in this kind of positions before. You can at least write in your resume that you have direct practice experience in the health care sector in Canada, then along with your own degree and a short certificate course you may approach to a FT better position as described above.

I would also tell everyone who do not have a driver’s license please start the process right now, if you do not have a driver’s license you will at least miss 30% jobs.

Following are some of the short certificate courses related to Mental Health. Depending on your residence, time, and projected work you may choose one of the following. Adding this course with your medical degree will help you to work in the Healthcare and Social Service sector.

1. Community Mental Health Case Management Certificate, George Brown College
2. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Certificate Program, CAMH, U of T
3. Certificate in Mental Health and addiction, Ryerson
4. Addiction and Mental Health, Humber college
5. Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Centennial College
6. Addiction and Mental Health Graduate Certificate, Durham College
7. Concurrent Disorders Certificate Program, CAMH
8. Hincks-Dellcrest Centre offer similar certificate courses
9. DBT Certification – The Linehan Institute, you have to find when they have a workshop in your area.
10. Psycho Social Rehabilitation Program, Hamilton Mowhak College has this.
11. Toronto Hostel Training center lots of small one or two days’ certificate which you may need to apply for some positions so not a bad idea to have few certificates from here just to weigh your resume.
12. Autism and Behavioural Science ON College Graduate Certificate, Seneca College (not sure if it is PT)
13. York Humber Applied Behaviour Certificate (good if you want to work with DD or Autistic Kids)

The Behaviour Science: An Application of Technology (ABA) Program at Humber College is a unique, part-time, post graduate certificate program that provides enhanced educational and practical skills in the growing and demanding field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, dual diagnosis, acquired brain injuries and other complex needs.

14. Geneva Center for autism offers some courses as well.

Now, if you are new, and have time you can go for a similar FT certificate course or diploma but make sure it has placement option, because that’s the only Canadian experience you will be able to show. Also, should you wish and have time and patience you can do FT or PT BSW diploma. If you have a BSW/MSW from here with your medical degree you will be far better than us and will have more options.

Just a few common things to remember while writing your resume and cover letter. Try to use 12 fonts, and be contained within 3 pages for the resume, and 1 page for the cover letter. In the resume, leave the 3^rd page for the educational part. If you have too many job experience please omit some, use only the relevant ones. There are some jobs (particular) where you may need to change this format but mostly you may follow this style.

In the resume, at first you write your key qualifications according to the job postings, then for each of your previous position please describe your activities well, perhaps with 5/6 points.

For the cover letter, write which position you are interested in, where did you find the posting, what is your degree and work experience. Why you could be the right candidate for the position. Then write your current work/volunteer experience, previous experience, and then through those what skills and knowledge you have achieved and how could it helps the clients. And in one line write your personal trait or philosophy, for example you believe every human being has the potential to grow and flourish, so if they have support they can reach their goals. You write your own, this is just an example. After that you write your skills and knowledge that may help the position you are interested in. And then sign.

If you need help to write your resume and cover letter, please go to the available settlement worker or employment support worker in the community, who are there to help you free of cost. At least do the groundwork and then go to an individual who may have the expertise of your area of interest. Attend any seminar, workshop or information session that is available in the community. BCCB and many other organizations in our community offer this kind of support so please go there and get as many information as possible. After going few places and writing your own, you yourself will be an expert. I would even pay someone if I got a great service, do whatever suits you. Very important, NETWORKING, NETWORKING and NETWORKING! Very important!!

Last but not the least, please be professional while writing email or talking to the employer or other professionals. This is very important as this is the first impression that people will have on you. Also, if you have FB, LinkedIn or other social media account please make it professional looking. Try to use your name in the email account, and do not make something like, “dhumketu” “khaisi tore” “ nil asman”etc. unless it’s your real name.

There are more to explore. I just tried to give you a snap shot. BCCB health care forum offer information session for the Bangladeshi IMGs occasionally, which could be a great source of information for the newcomer physicians, so please keep constant eyes on this forum page. Besides, BIES and other organizations do offer such session.

Once again, improve your communication skills if you need. When I say communication, that does not mean just to know the English, rather you have to be professional and make a good impression on listener’s mind. Also, certain things we should not say as we want, for example, one must say, “a person with mental illness” instead of “mentally ill person” as it makes a big difference.

If you went through the website of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada, you would see they talk about CanMEDS, “which is a framework that identifies and describes the abilities physicians require to effectively meet the health care needs of the people they serve. These abilities are grouped thematically under seven roles”.  Communicator is one those roles. Confidentiality and client’s self-determination are other important stuffs, which may not be always necessary while practicing in Bangladesh but very important here. Please do not put your age, gender, religion or this kind of other personal information in your resume.

To look for a volunteer, FT or PT position in the health care sector you may go to indeed.ca, charityvillage.ca and many other similar sits, and of course constantly check in different hospital, clinic and other healthcare organization’s website. If you volunteer you may network there and get some information about upcoming job opening.

I appreciate all the people who are constantly helping us providing valuable information on the above matter. Dr. Shoaib, Dr. Nazrana, Dr. Shahriar, Dr. Proshenjit, Dr. Roksana, Dr. Ehsanul, Dr. Pintu are few among those. As I said, anyone who may have relevant information is welcome to weigh in and provide us with the necessary information.

If you are not in Toronto you may not get all the resources, but there are some resources which is not in Toronto but could be available in other provinces. Recently, I was talking to some people from Alberta and Nova Scotia, they talked about some of the resources which we do not have here, so please explore, and of course, if need be I would move!

লেখাটি মূলত দেশি বিদেশী কয়েকটি পত্রিকা এবং অনলাইন গ্রূপের জন্য লেখা তাই ইংরেজিতেই লিখতে হয়েছে। আর সময় স্বল্পতার কারণে বাংলা অনুবাদ করা হয়নি। বিভিন্ন কারণে ইংরেজি বাংলার সংমিশ্রন ঘটাতে হয়েছে, এজন্য দুঃখিত।

Thank You and good luck!

Mukul

Toronto

March 24, 2018