Upwardly Global is excited to announce the release of new comprehensive guidelines to help internationally trained healthcare workers relicense and find employment in the U.S. healthcare sector.
SEE NEW LICENSING GUIDELINES HERE
These new licensing guides —for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington — are desperately needed at a time when COVID-19 has intensified the demand for qualified healthcare workers. Some 165,000 internationally trained healthcare workers are unemployed and underemployed in the U.S. (Migration Policy Institute), while the healthcare industry is in the midst of a severe and prolonged labor shortage. The pandemic has emphasized the need for healthcare and stretched workers to the limit.
“We can no longer afford to overlook internationally trained healthcare workers,” said Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO of Upwardly Global. “The pandemic has only exacerbated an already present problem that has persisted for years. It is our hope that these guidelines will help expedite the hiring of qualified medical professionals and get them into jobs that have gone unfilled.”
These guidelines bring together information from state medical boards to help workers find employment and fill gaps in care. The documents feature tips for applying; eligibility requirements; how each profession is organized; information on tests, time, and cost; and other need-to-know details.
The new guidelines were compiled in conjunction with global law firm Latham & Watkins, which offered hundreds of hours of critical pro bono support.
“More than a dozen volunteers from Latham have worked to clarify and thus ease the relicensing process for immigrants and refugees who are interested and qualified,” said Patricia Young, Latham & Watkins partner and primary pro bono lead on the project. “We congratulate Upwardly Global on its newest group of guides and support its vital work of eliminating employment barriers.”
The Challenge and Solutions
Thousands of immigrants and refugees, including those who have recently arrived from Afghanistan and Ukraine, will no doubt have the proper training and experience to support the U.S. healthcare industry. But many are sidelined by licensing rules that fail to recognize their expertise and require costly and time-consuming examinations and residencies in a system that overwhelmingly favors U.S. applicants. That means many qualified people still can’t serve in the fight against COVID-19.
In addition to helping clarify complex processes and ensuring that critical information is accessible through the licensing guides, Upwardly Global is working with employers, legislators, regulators, healthcare providers, and grassroots and national organizations in several states on structural solutions.
- Forward-thinking healthcare systems such as New York-Presbyterian are working with Upwardly Global on paid internships and other exciting programs that aim to steer individuals into healthcare roles where their experience and talents are recognized.
- Upwardly Global is helping to realize the promise of emergency rules that give internationally trained healthcare workers a chance to serve in clinical roles by connecting with community-based organizations, working directly with immigrant and refugee healthcare professionals, and seeking to build a bridge to employers ready to hire in this unique moment.
- Through issue education and coalition building, Upwardly Global is also forwarding longer-term solutions to amend current licensing processes to make it easier for immigrants and refugees eager to share their talents and skills. It’s a win-win solution for state healthcare capacity, for workers, and for the many Americans in need of medical care.
Supporting Immigrant Healthcare Professionals
Upwardly Global specializes in supporting immigrants and refugees with international credentials and professional experience to help them return to their careers, which often move them from poverty to middle class. Coaches specializing in medical careers advise trained job seekers on whether they should relicense or take alternative paths that can use some of their transferable skills while supporting them through the process.
Here are some recent stories that we highlighted:
Adebola arrived in the U.S. with training as a doctor in Nigeria and experience as a United Nations public-health expert. She found the struggle to find work in the U.S. “draining and frustrating.” She didn’t give up, however, and found support from Upwardly Global. “UpGlo helped me to feel a sense of community and belonging. I saw that others have walked this path, putting their best foot forward to get what they deserve.” Read her full story here.
Adriana practiced medicine as a pediatrician in Venezuela before immigrating to the U.S. The difficulty she faced in the licensing process was amplified by the Spanish-English language barrier. Now she uses her bilingual ability to help communicate with Spanish-speaking families and patients. “I know what it means to be in the hospital with something concerning when language is a barrier. When you say ‘Hola,’ you can see the relief for patients.” Read her full story here.
Preparing and finding positions
The new guidelines have been compiled thanks to hundreds of hours of critical pro bono support from a major law firm. There is, however, also a long-term solution: for healthcare licensing regulations, currently under the jurisdiction of individual states, to be standardized across the country. Upwardly Global is working with legislators, regulators, healthcare providers, and grassroots and national organizations in several states to make it easier for immigrants and refugees eager to share their talents and skills.
Reach out
If you are a recent immigrant or refugee with professional experience looking for job placement support, Upwardly Global would like to be of assistance. Please go to upwardlyglobal.org or email health@upwardlyglobal.org
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About Upwardly Global
Upwardly Global is a national nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate employment barriers for immigrant and refugee professionals and advance the inclusion of their skills into the U.S. economy.