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For immediate release
Aug. 12, 2024
Lanark Lodge to welcome international workers
Lanark Lodge is set to welcome its first international healthcare workers as part of a recruitment program to help address the health-care staffing shortage. The first personal support worker (PSW) is slated to arrive this month, with three more coming in October.
Late last year, the county hired Allison Jones Consulting Services to coordinate recruitment of up to 15 internationally trained health-care workers. In a report to Lanark County Council this spring, Director of Long-Term Care Shawna Stone cited filling PSW vacancies as a priority.
“Traditional recruitment measures had not closed the staffing gap at Lanark Lodge,” Stone said. “Sufficient staffing is particularly important with the provincial requirement to provide four hours of care per resident per day by 2025. We are excited to welcome these PSWs to help us reach that goal.”
The internationally educated workers come to the Lodge through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for a two-year closed work permit, which is specific to the employer and occupation. They undertake rigorous training, including an orientation to Canadian health-care standards.
Recruitment in rural areas poses specific challenges, including competition with larger centres such as Ottawa and Kingston. The Lodge has developed a welcome package with Lanark County’s Recruitment and Settlement Coordinator Linda Alexander as part of the rural Inclusion Project in partnership with Renfrew County. This also includes inclusivity training, promotional material and links to support services.
“Creating a welcoming community for internationally trained workers is crucial to strengthening our long-term care system,” Alexander said. “These professionals bring diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences that enrich patient care and fill critical gaps in our health-care labour pool. By fostering an inclusive environment where they feel supported and valued, we not only ensure their successful integration but also enhance the overall quality of care.”
Alexander noted the community can create a welcoming and inclusive environment by gaining an understanding of diverse cultures, including newcomers in community events, and providing information and support to help them navigate local resources.
“The labour market shortages we have been experiencing in Lanark County are unprecedented,” said Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve). “This has been happening across all sectors, but particularly in health care. We recognize the value immigration brings to the cultural and economic fabric of our communities.”
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For more information/media interviews, contact:
Shawna Stone
Director of Long-Term Care
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 7101
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