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Online applications aimed at recruiting allied health professionals are now being accepted for the 2008- 09 New Brunswick Health Bursary Program, Health Minister Michael Murphy announced.

“This bursary program, which is part of the Allied Health Resource Strategy, targets hard-to-recruit sectors so that the population of New Brunswick can get access to services from pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists, technologists and other professionals who are an integral part of the health-care team,” Murphy said. “In keeping with commitments in our Provincial Health Plan 2008-2012, we are investing more than $1 million in bursaries and other incentives aimed at recruiting and retaining allied health professionals.”

The bursary amounts and the number of bursaries are determined each year in order to strategically target professions for which there is a projected or actual recruitment challenge.

"Bursaries worth $10,000, $5,000 or $3,500 each will be provided this year for specific professions that have been identified by the Department of Health and key stakeholders," Murphy said. "In return, recipients must enter into an agreement to work in New Brunswick for a period of two years for each year they receive a bursary."

Since the program's implementation in 2005 a total of 217 bursaries have been awarded to students enrolled in various hard-to-recruit health professions.

"Given the significant increase in the number of applications received last year, we are confident that the bursary program will again be successful in attracting new health professionals to the province," Murphy said.

The $10,000 bursaries are aimed at students admitted to a bachelor of pharmacy program.

The $5,000 bursaries are targeted at students in bachelor's or master's degree programs in the areas of audiology, speech language pathology, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Students enrolled in health information management and primary care paramedicine, both offered at the college level, are also eligible.

The $3,500 bursaries are targeted at students enrolled in a diploma or degree program in cardiology technology, electroneurophysiology, respiratory therapy, medical laboratory technology and medical radiation technology.

To be eligible, candidates must be Canadian citizens and be enrolled in an accredited health program for one of the targeted health occupations.

Other details on the New Brunswick Health Bursary Program and the online application form may be found at http://www.gnb.ca/0051/Allied-Health/bursary-e.asp. The deadline for online applications is Sept. 25.