HSP Member Programs

The Health Science Professionals (HSP) chapter may, as funding permits, offer annual Chapter bursaries of up to $500 each. These bursaries shall be available to PEA HSP members subject to the following terms:

A. Eligibility

1. Only PEA HSP members in good standing shall be eligible to apply for HSP Chapter bursaries.
2. Applicants must be registered for, or in the process of being registered in, an upcoming part-time post-secondary educational degree or diploma program or other professional development education. A partial bursary may be awarded to cover education courses and associated costs (such as books and course materials) costing less than $500.
3. Applicants must disclose funding they have received from employer funding or other PEA programs. A partial bursary may be awarded to applicants who have received partial funding from other sources. However, combined funding shall not exceed course costs.
4. For professional development courses that qualify for HSPBA Professional Development funding, applicants are expected to apply for professional development funding first and may only apply for bursary funds to cover the difference between Pro-D funding and course costs. Information about the HSPBA Professional Development funding can be found on this page under Ongoing HSPBA Professional Development Fund. 

B. Requirements

1. Bursary applicants shall submit applications to the HSP chapter via the link below. Applications shall include a statement (maximum 250 words) outlining the applicant’s education and career goals and how bursary funds will assist in attaining these goals.
2. Deadline for receipt of applications shall be March 15. No late applications will be considered.

C. Conditions

1. Bursaries shall be awarded at the discretion of the HSP Chapter Executive
2. Bursaries may not be awarded should an insufficient number of suitable applications be received. Unawarded bursaries shall revert to Chapter funds.
3. HSP Executive will review each bursary application to ensure that it meets eligibility criteria in sections A and B above.
4. Should the number of applications identified in section C3 above exceed the number of bursaries available, bursaries shall be awarded first to those who have not previously received an HSP Chapter bursary. Selection will occur via random draw.
5. Payment of bursary award shall be subject to proof of course completion. Successful applicants must provide proof of successful course completion within 12 months of notification of award or will be asked to repay the funds to HSP.

Ongoing HSPBA Professional Development Fund

ELIGIBILITY

1. The applicant must be a Professional Employees Association (PEA) member covered by Health Science Bargaining Professionals Association (HSPBA) contract.
2. The course must relate to professional development in a health science discipline being practised in the public health care system.

FUNDING GUIDELINES

1. Applications for funding will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis.
2. Once the allocation is approved, the fund will reimburse the actual cost of tuition/course fees, book, and related expenses to a maximum of $250.00 per applicant.
3. Applicants must disclose funding they have received toward the course from their employer or any other source. This funding is intended to supplement employer funding for which the member is eligible.
4. Successful applicants will be advised by letter when their application has been approved and the amount that has been awarded.
5. Successful applicants must provide detailed receipts for all expenses. Payment will be made once satisfactory receipts have been received.

An Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) is available for Health Science Professional members of the Professional Employees Association.

You can find out more about the program here. 

The EDMP is a holistic disability management program that works collaboratively with the employee, employer and union to ensure that employees return to work in a safe and timely manner. It is a required program for all regular employees who are part of the HSPBA bargaining association and have either taken time off with a work-related illness/injury (WCB) after one day or are off due to a non-work related illness or injury for five days or more.

The goals of the EDMP are to:

• Support employees who are struggling at work, possibly preventing them from being off work;
• Facilitate early intervention and effective rehabilitation to ensure that employees either remain on the job or have access to early-return-to-work programs;
• Promote safe, accessible, and healthy workplaces;
• Encourage health promotion and employee wellness;
• Ensure a process that applies to potentially all incidents of inability to work as a result of illnesses, injury, disability and impairment; and
• Reduce the costs of sick, LTD and WorkSafeBC leave.

The EDMP is intended to assist regular full-time or regular part-time employees in accessing services which can help to address medical, workplace or personal issues that represent barriers to an employee’s ability to return to work on a regular basis. It is designed as a plan the employee can use from the time they step out of the workplace through the treatment, possibly LTD, GRTW and accommodation, if required. Referrals can come from a variety of sources, including central call-in systems, employees, unions, managers, WCB, or LTD carriers.

If you are a member under the Health Science Professionals collective agreement and require information on EDMP, contact HSPBA EDMP Representative for PEA members Benita Spindel, 778-968-4411.