What to Check Before Accepting a Canadian Healthcare Job Offer

What to Check Before Accepting a Canadian Healthcare Job Offer

A strong offer should be complete, understandable and consistent with your discussions. Review it as both a career decision and a formal agreement.

Role and reporting relationship

Confirm the title, locations, start date, manager, employment status, probation period and expected duties. Ask whether travel between sites is required.

Compensation

Determine whether pay is hourly, salaried, fee-for-service, sessional, contract-based or blended. Check overtime, call pay, premiums, vacation, pension, benefits, professional dues, liability coverage, education and travel. Contractors should understand the expenses and taxes they manage.

Schedule and workload

Review hours, shift rotation, weekends, call frequency, patient volume, administrative duties, documentation time and leave coverage. Ensure promised flexibility appears in writing.

Conditions and incentives

List conditions such as registration, credentialing, work authorization and references. For signing, relocation or community incentives, check payment timing, tax treatment, service commitments and repayment clauses.

Support and exit terms

Ask about orientation, mentorship, relocation and family support. Review notice, termination language, restrictive clauses and what happens if licensing takes longer than expected. Consider independent professional advice before signing.