Long wait times to fill one in two job vacancies in health occupations

Long wait times are an unfortunate reality for many Canadians when it comes to health care. Whether that means hours in the emergency department, weeks and months to see a specialist, or perhaps a year or two to get surgery, the challenges for both patients and staff are evident.

On the staff side, there is also often a wait time—that is, when it comes to filling job vacancies to address the ongoing challenge of labour shortages, which exist for a variety of reasons.

The latest data show that in the third quarter of 2024, nearly one in two (48.5%) of the 79,700 job vacancies in health occupations were advertised for 90 days or more. Not only was this the highest proportion among the 10 broad occupational categories, but it was significantly higher than the national average (31.6%) (unless otherwise stated, data are not seasonally adjusted).

Proportions were fairly close among vacancies in health occupations advertised for less than 15 days (14.9%), 15 to 29 days (11.4%), 30 to 59 days (12.8%) and 60 to 89 days (12.5%).

Longer-term vacancies across the board in nursing

Longer-term vacancies were more common among certain health occupations. In the third quarter of 2024, one in two (49.9%) of the 10,600 vacancies for licensed practical nurses were advertised for 90 days or more. This occupational group includes registered practical nurses, nursing assistants and operating room technicians.

There were 25,800 vacancies for nursing and allied health professionals, an occupational group that includes nursing coordinators and supervisors, registered nurses and psychiatric nurses, and nurse practitioners. More than half (52.5%) of job openings in this category were posted for 90 days or more.

Longer wait times for specialists and physicians

More than half (53.9%) of the 34,000 vacancies for professional occupations in health—including health treating and consultation services professionals, therapy and assessment professionals, and nursing and allied health professionals—were advertised for 90 days or more in the third quarter of 2024.

While relatively few specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine were sought to fill open positions (less than 160), more than two-thirds of openings (68.5%) were advertised for 90 days or more.

Vacancies trending down overall

In perhaps an encouraging sign, the 78,600 overall job vacancies in health occupations in the third quarter of 2024 resulted from a decrease of 8,200 (-9.5%) from the second quarter, marking the second consecutive quarterly decline. Compared with a year earlier, vacancies in health occupations were down by 13,200 (-14.3%) (data used in this section are seasonally adjusted).

Nursing occupations drove the year-over-year decline in vacancies, though they still account for about two-thirds of vacancies in health occupations.