Recognized as one of BC's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Feb 11, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why Island Health was selected as one of BC's Top Employers (2025):
- Island Health encourages employees to plan for the future with retirement planning assistance and contributions to a defined benefit pension plan -- in addition, offers phased-in work options for those nearing retirement, allowing them to gradually reduce their work hours
- Island Health invests in ongoing learning and development with a variety of in-house and online training programs, as well as initiatives for experienced employees interested in advancing in their careers (mentoring, leadership development programs)
- Island Health supports all new parents with maternity and parental leave top-up payments, and provides the option to extend leave as an unpaid leave of absence before returning to full-time work

An employee at Island Health goes for a hike

An employee at Island Health goes for a hike

An employee at Island Health goes for a hike
Highlights
Industry | Hospitals |
Established in Canada | 2001 |
Major Canadian locations | Port McNeill BC, Salt Spring Island BC, Port Hardy BC, Port Alberni BC, Duncan BC, Campbell River BC, Comox BC, Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC |
Full-time employees in Canada | 13,088 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 9,023 |
Average age of employees in Canada | 45 years |
Longest serving employee | 53 years |
Benefits note | Island Health has multiple employee groups, the following programs and policies may vary by position |
Flexible work options | hybrid work option, flexible work hours, compressed work week, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), telecommuting, earned days off program |
Long-term savings | defined-benefit (DB) pension |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums |
Mental health practitioner benefit | up to $500 each year |
Maternity top-up (mothers) | up to 85% of salary for 17 weeks |
Parental top-up (mothers) | up to 75% of salary for 10 weeks |
Parental top-up (fathers) | up to 75% of salary for 10 weeks |
Adoption top-up | up to 75% of salary for 10 weeks |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 4 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months |
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months |
In-house training initiatives | apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership development programs, paid internships |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities |
The Career Directory
Island Health has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
Highlights for New Grads
Industry | Hospitals |
Full-time employees in Canada | 10,001 to 25,000 |
Major Canadian locations | Port McNeill BC, Salt Spring Island BC, Port Hardy BC, Port Alberni BC, Duncan BC, Campbell River BC, Comox BC, Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC |
Student opportunities | paid internships |
Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services |
Tuition subsidies (related to job) | yes |
Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, transit subsidies |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 4 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Arts
- Human Resources
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Human Resources
- Public Administration
-
Bachelor of Science
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Nutrition
-
Community College Diploma
- Computer Science
- Cooking / Chef Training
- Health Care Aide (HCA)
- Human Resources
- Laboratory Technician
- Nuclear Medicine
- Nursing (RN)
- Nursing (RNA / RPN)
- Orthotics / Prosthetics
- Other Trades
- Plumbing
- Purchasing / Logistics
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiology
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Respiratory Therapy
- Ultrasound Technician
-
Doctorate (Arts)
- Psychology
-
Doctorate (Science)
- Medical Doctor
- Nursing
-
Master of Arts
- Social Work
-
Master of Engineering
- Biomedical Electronics
-
Master of Science
- Audiology
- Environmental
- Health Sciences
- Nursing / Health Administration
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
- Speech Pathology
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Professional Accreditation
- Human Resources (CHRP, CEBS)
Recruits at these schools
- Camosun College
- North Island College
- University of Victoria
- Vancouver Island University