FAQ: What is Northern Health doing to recruit and retain staff for the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital?

We recognize the concerns our communities have around the challenges in recruiting and retaining health care professionals in rural and northern areas like ours.

Northern Health (NH) is taking strong, coordinated action to address these challenges and is actively working towards building a sustainable workforce through a wide range of recruitment and retention strategies and initiatives.

This includes attending in-person and virtual conferences and career fairs, running targeted advertising campaigns, doing campus and classroom student visits, presenting to high school students, and leveraging community partnerships. We’re also reaching out beyond our borders through international and U.S.-based recruitment campaigns, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

In addition, we’re partnering with post-secondary institutions like Northern Lights College (NLC) and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) to support local students through programs such as the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) and the Employed Student Nurse (ESN) program. To grow the workforce, we’re collaborating with our post-secondary institution partners on expanding educational pathways. For example, NLC offers Health Care Assistant and Practical Nursing programs in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. These programs are designed to help students enter the health care field and build long-term careers. Graduates can even bridge into more advanced programs, such as the Access to Practical Nursing Diploma or the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program at UNBC. As of early 2025, hundreds of students are already enrolled or working in health care roles across Northern Health through these pathways.

Northern Health continues to actively recruit medical staff including physicians. Dawson Creek is one of the first communities to have added associate physician positions. Our recruiters are attending medical conferences and working with each community to identify and recognize unique needs to ensure it’s the right fit for each new hire.

Retention is just as important. Northern Health and the Ministry of Health have offered meaningful financial incentives for rural and remote positions, some of which include return-of-service commitments.

Our Northeast Recruitment and Retention Ambassador plays a key role in strengthening our workforce by building strong partnerships with schools and communities, enhancing onboarding experiences, promoting health care careers, representing Northern Health at events, and supporting initiatives that help attract and retain top talent across the region.

In addition, our Regional Manager of Housing and Childcare is actively collaborating with community partners to improve housing, childcare, and other supports that make it easier for staff and their families to live and work.

Looking ahead to the opening of the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital in Spring 2027, we are laying the foundation to ensure it is fully staffed and ready to serve our community. The new hospital is being designed and built with staff and patient experiences in mind. It will feature private patient rooms with ensuite washrooms, natural lighting, accessible washrooms, and modern technology – all of which contribute to a more comfortable and efficient environment. These improvements are not just about aesthetics; they are key to attracting and retaining health care professionals who want to work in a modern, state-of-the-art facility.

Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase of regular employees in Dawson Creek, and we’re continuing to invest in the people, programs, and partnerships that will help us meet the needs of our growing community. Northern Health is committed to ensuring that our communities have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.