Midwife jobs and careers in Canada can offer success to newcomers who are looking for opportunities in the healthcare industry.
Consider traveling to Canada and working as a midwife there right away. Midwives are top-rated in the country’s healthcare sector, with a severe labor shortage. This has presented an opportunity for midwives with foreign training who are looking for midwife positions in Canada. There are various chances for midwife careers and decent midwife incomes.
Getting in touch with the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) is a beautiful place to start your research. They are a national group representing Canadian midwives and the field of midwifery. In all provinces and territories, it provides leadership and advocacy for midwifery as an essential component of the primary maternity care system. Also, it is regulated and publicly financed.
Additionally, CAM advances the field’s growth in the public interest and adds the perspective of midwives to the agenda of national health policy.
The Government of Canada Job Bank is another valuable tool for researching the field. You may look for information on local salaries, employment opportunities, and qualifications here.
Explore the work criteria, job search strategies, professional groups, and more if you’re interested in continuing your midwifery career in Canada.
Canadian immigration for Midwife jobs and careers in Canada
Prior to moving to Canada, researching the prerequisites for a midwife vocation can give you a good start.
The requirements differ from what you are used to in your country of origin. Being a midwife can take a lot of time, so being prepared is a good idea.
You can take measures to increase your chances of being able to practice midwifery in Canada before you immigrate.
Seek a career as a Midwife before moving to Canada
- Check out the free webinar. To acquire a feel of the labor market, read What to Know About the Canadian Job Market.
- To learn more, get in touch with the provincial midwife regulatory organization in the province where you intend to operate.
- How will your foreign credentials be evaluated.
- How to follow the expenses, time, and licensing requirements to register.
- What documents should you bring to apply for a job or continue your education? Check to see if any documents require translation. You might need to work with a qualified translation agency in Canada.
- Actions you can take both before and after moving to Canada.
- For details about registration as a midwife in Canada and the necessary qualifications, international-trained midwives can visit the website of the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC).
- Recognize how midwifery functions in Canada and educate yourself with the protocols, rules, and laws your profession is subject to in the province where you intend to settle.
- Take up a self-evaluation of your language abilities on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website.
- Develop your linguistic abilities. You need advanced English or French language skills (depending on your chosen province) to practice midwifery.
- Enroll in language classes before moving to Canada and keep taking them there.
- While staying in your home country, collect and arrange your formal employment, educational, and identity documents.
Midwife jobs and careers in Canada – what should you expect?
Excluding Newfoundland and Labrador, P.E.I., and the Yukon Territory, Canada’s midwifery profession remains regulated. Provincial/territorial regulatory authorities define the requirements for entrance into the profession and grant licenses to practice to individuals who meet them in provinces that are subject to regulation.
The title “Registered Midwife” is a term for midwives who register with a regulating organization. Additionally, this enables you to carry out tasks prohibited to midwives by law legally. Therefore, learning about the registration procedure before moving to Canada is essential.
What are employment prospects as a Midwife in Canada?
If you are a midwife with international credentials, you must learn about the industry in Canada. What are the needs, responsibilities, and some sample job titles. You can use the data to get ready for your job hunt before and after you arrive.
Jobs for midwives will continue to be plentiful in the majority of provinces, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. This is according to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
For 2022–2031, a dearth of midwives will crop up. For midwives with international training, this is terrific news. In the upcoming years, there will be a lot of work chances. In line with this pattern, midwife earnings may rise in the years to come.
Midwife jobs and careers in Canada – Begin your research with the NOC Code
Starting your investigation with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) is highly significant. The NOC 31303 offers a common definition of the midwife’s job description. The details will help you comprehend the function, primary responsibilities, necessary qualifications, and sample job titles. You can use this knowledge to conduct your job search in Canada more successfully.
What are the job requirements?
Employers often require you to have finished a midwifery undergraduate degree program (or an equivalent program) and supervised practical training if you want to practice as a midwife in Canada. Additionally, in the Canadian provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, you must register with a regulating agency in order to work as a midwife.
Credential Recognition
Midwives who received their education abroad must show they possess the abilities, knowledge, and skills necessary to become a Canadian Registered Midwife. Also, your foreign expertise and credentials will be thoroughly and meticulously evaluated due to the credentials recognition process. Additionally, your midwife’s pay will increase after your credentials get approved.
Each jurisdiction has its requirements for complete registration. For the most recent requirements, please visit the CMRC website.
Credential Assessment Services
For the evaluation of your international credentials, go to the following organizations:
- World Education Services
- IQAS in Alberta
- The International Credential Evaluation Service
To fulfill Canada’s midwife job requirements, you must enhance your skills
Soft skills, which are character attributes enhancing your interactions, work performance, and career prospects, are preferred by Canadian companies. In contrast to your technical or hard skills, your soft talents are more widely applicable. Even if your hard skills land you an interview, your soft skills are frequently what land you the job and help you flourish in it.
Suppose you want to work within a personal practice. In that case, you’ll need solid leadership abilities, including the ability to hire employees and maintain records, as well as an understanding of medico-legal concerns and risk management.
As a relatively new profession in Canada, midwifery requires individuals who are prepared to educate the public about it and overcome the difficulties associated with integrating a new profession into the healthcare system.
If you intend to attend a college or university to advance your education, get in touch with the institution to find out what needs to be done and which agency will evaluate your educational qualifications.
Make sure to emphasize your experience and education abroad. Build on your prior education, experience, and understanding before determining whether you require further study.
You might be eligible for advanced standing, the transfer of some of your credits, choices for assessing your prior learning, and credit or course exemption. You can complete further studies faster, save money, and prevent yourself from repeating the education you already have by engaging in any of these activities.
Language Training
Even with excellent technical skills, it’s sometimes not enough to land a job or keep it once you do. You may require additional training or skill development.
It is crucial for your future in Canada to gain fluency in either or both French or English, its official languages.
The languages spoken by most people in the region where you intend to live will determine whether you choose to concentrate on studying or enhancing French or English.
You might gain eligibility for the LINC program. It is the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada. Otherwise, school boards or settlement firms may offer additional free or reasonably priced ESL or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs. You can also take language classes to learn professional jargon, such as occupation-specific language training (OSLT) in Ontario and job-specific language training.
Bridging programs for Midwife jobs and careers in Canada
The best approach to move from your education and experience abroad to a Canadian job is through bridging programs. Many colleges, universities, and organizations supporting immigrants offer bridging programs or workshops for newcomers. You might be qualified for one.
In Canada, there are two bridging programs available:
University of British Columbia
For midwives who have finished their studies at a recognized midwifery program outside of Canada, there is a program called IEMBP. It benefits midwives to apply their knowledge in a Canadian setting.
Toronto Metropolitan University
For qualified midwives with education outside of Canada who want to work in Ontario, the IMPP is a bridging program. The curriculum is designed for seasoned international midwives who have worked as midwives for the past five years and are fluent in English. It is not a program for retraining or reeducation.
Canadian Midwife Schools
After moving to Canada, a lot of immigrants continue their studies. Some even wish to change occupations or further them with an MBA or Ph.D. Find out more about the advantages of higher education for immigrants.
Numerous Canadian colleges offer programs in midwifery. Exams that have been approved by the corresponding provincial regulatory agencies are given by each program. There will be some variation in the programs and courses. Here are a few colleges to take into account:
- Laurentian University – Sudbury, Ontario
- University of British Columbia – Vancouver, B.C.
- McMaster University – Hamilton, Ontario
- Metropolitan Toronto University – Toronto, Ontario
Canadian Midwife associations
The associations listed below offer professional networking opportunities, information concerning certification and licensing, and both. They could aid you in developing your midwifery career.
- National Midwife Associations in Canada – Canadian Associations of Midwives
- Provincial Midwife Regulatory Bodies – British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
- Manitoba – College of Midwives of Manitoba
- Alberta – College of Midwives of Alberta
- Ontario – College of Midwives of Ontario
- New Brunswick – Midwifery Council of New Brunswick
- Nunavut – Government of Nunavut Professional Practice – Social and Health Services
- Nova Scotia – Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia
- Northwest Territories – Northwest Territories Health Professional Licensing
Midwives in Canada – Salary prospects
Salary ranges for midwives range from $20 to $65 per hour. The hourly wage for a midwife is $54.01. Midwives can anticipate earning between $41,600 and $135,200 annually in terms of pay. The typical midwife makes $112,340 annually.
Your pay will vary depending on your degree of education, experience, and where in Canada you reside. The lowest median hourly rates are in Quebec and Alberta. With regard to median hourly rates, Ontario and British Columbia top the list.
Depending on where you choose to work, your earning potential may change. Depending on your region and place of residence, a midwife’s pay can vary greatly.
Best Canadian provinces to work as a Midwife
The employment outlook varies across Canada. You can choose the place that gives the most career chances by researching the top cities or regions for midwives. In general, there are many career opportunities in this field, and there is a massive demand for midwives from various cultures.
Although there are jobs available for midwives in most Canadian locations, you may discover more options in quickly developing cities like Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta, or the province of Ontario. When seeking a job, extend your search region to encompass nearby smaller cities and villages. Some smaller areas may be prepared to pay you more as a midwife to entice you to work there.
Best employers for Midwife jobs and careers in Canada
In Canada, midwives collaborate with other healthcare workers and, if necessary, consult with or refer patients to medical specialists. They attend births at homes, in birthing facilities, and in hospitals. Midwives can work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, and birthing facilities.
Visit the website for Canada’s Best Diversity Employers to find any hospitals or medical facilities that may be of interest to you. This prestigious award is given to The Best Diversity Employers for their dedication to workplace equity, inclusion, and diversity.
Searching for your first job in Canada as a Midwife
In most Canadian cities, there is a significant need for midwives. However, you must be aware of and ready for the fierce competition in the Canadian job market. A job search in Canada may also be considerably different from one back home.
There are numerous methods that you might look for openings to work as a midwife.
- Look for a mentor in the midwifery field, such as a retired midwife, who can provide you with insightful commentary, sound advice, and connections to their professional network.
- Join networking or job-search groups for the healthcare industry through organizations that assist immigrants.
- Attend industry career fairs and frequently search online job boards.
- Some universities or organizations run a job bank or can recommend a company that posts jobs online.
Networking is essential to find Midwife jobs in Canada
Networking is genuinely all about meeting new people, forming connections, and exchanging information. Additionally, it’s a crucial activity that can assist you in building your network, learning about the industry in Canada, and finding career prospects. If you are new to Canada, this is very crucial.
Connecting with other midwives can help you locate a job in the “hidden job market” because many midwife job openings remain unpublished. Conferences and association activities are excellent venues to network.
Another crucial professional networking tool is LinkedIn. It’s fantastic to stay in touch with past coworkers, look into businesses and positions, and receive introductions to people already employed as midwives.
Joining a few related professional organizations will also help you network, access critical resources, and learn more about midwifery in Canada. But keep in mind that you need to give the relationships you make through networking time to develop and thrive. Being patient will help because nothing will happen overnight. Before you move to Canada, start networking to find possibilities.
Resume tips to attain Midwife jobs and careers in Canada
Since there is competition for jobs in Canada, your CV must make you stand out from other candidates.
The most crucial aspect of your job hunt for a midwife is your CV. It serves as a marketing tool for you, displaying your credentials and inviting potential employers to learn more about your training as a midwife.
The first stage in your job application procedure is sending in a solid cover letter and a CV that are both well-written. Writing a strong resume that showcases your qualifications and relevant experience can help you achieve your objective of getting an interview. Your knowledge, education, and talents need to be explicitly related to the midwife job description in your CV. Work on the content and structure as you start to write your resume, then select a format that accentuates your qualifications and professional objectives. In this process, be prepared to go through multiple drafts.
Interview tips to get success in Midwife jobs and careers in Canada
- Prior to the interview, do some research about the potential employer. For more information on the organization’s numbers, top priorities, and other details, visit their website.
- Find out from other midwives about the profession’s reputation, advantages, and disadvantages.
- Examine your knowledge and expertise in relation to the job requirements after reading the job description.
- Decide why you would like to work for the company. Hiring managers frequently enquire about your motivation to work for the company.
Common questions related to job interviews
You can anticipate having to respond to the following typical queries.
- What do you see as your greatest assets as a midwife?
- What characteristics let you contribute effectively to the maternity team?
- Describe your method for staying up to date with midwifery standards.
The interviewer might probe how you handle people and circumstances at work. For instance:
What would you do if a mother suffered a post-partum hemorrhage right after giving birth to a child? In this situation, you might describe a procedure like this:
- Evaluate the entire situation.
- Take the most appropriate action.
- Undertake the correct guidelines and procedures.
- Properly communicate.
- Make sure to have all prior records.
- Carefully examine the situation and extract the lessons.
Once the interview is over, ensure that you ask appropriate questions to express your interest in the position:
- How do you encourage professional growth among your staff members? This query demonstrates your dedication to lifelong learning and development and may assist you in determining whether this company is the best fit for you.
- What would you say about the workplace culture? This might assist you in determining whether the employer pays attention to topics like work-life balance, team chemistry, and a productive workplace. This query demonstrates your interest in working in a supportive environment.
- You will hopefully be viewed as someone who can contribute constructively.
What are the biggest problems the company is currently facing? This demonstrates how you understand your place within the overall scheme of things. Additionally, you can learn how upcoming adjustments or projects might influence your role.
