According to the union representing them (NSGEU), the supply of ultrasound technicians in Nova Scotia is “critically low”.
Health Minister Michelle Thompson spoke with reporters about what the province is doing to address it but says there isn’t a quick fix.
“There was never any planning done for the place we find ourselves in,” Thompson said. “The training programs for whatever reason have not kept up with the demand we’ve known is coming,”.
To address this the province has doubled the seats available in training programs, up from 8 to 16.
Thompson also says the Common Sense Credential Program which allows for medical accreditations from other provinces to be accepted here is also helping.
Thompson did not however mention arguably the biggest factor impacting Nova Scotia’s ability to recruit and retain ultrasound technicians which is compensation.
Currently, Nova Scotian ultrasound techs start at $34 an hour, and top out at $40. Those are the lowest pay rates in Atlantic Canada and the NSGEU says that it can lead to a difference of up to $9 in hourly rates.
