California is preparing for an increase in the number of people who urgently need healthcare due to the COVID-19 outbreak and is opening additional healthcare sites to provide treatment and relieve the pressure on the healthcare system by providing care for non-virus cases.
To ensure staffing for these sites, the state is asking healthcare providers including dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants as well as behavioral health professionals and healthcare administrators to register with the California Health Corps.
“California’s healthcare workers are the heroes of this moment, serving on the frontlines in the fight against this disease,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“To treat the rising number of patients with COVID-19, our state needs more workers in the healthcare field to join the fight. If you have a background in healthcare, we need your help,” said Newsom.
Professionals who sign up will be paid and will receive malpractice insurance coverage. Site locations will vary, but the Corps will try to match professionals with their geographical preferences. To be eligible, professionals must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be eligible to work in the United States
- Have a valid driver’s license or passport and a Social Security card
- Have a valid California License for clinical practice or be a medical resident or nursing student
- Have no negative licensure or certification actions
The state will verify licensure once professionals have registered. Once verified, professionals may need to fill out additional paperwork. The state then will review each applicant’s skills, experience, location preferences, and interests to best match placement needs.
“Outreach to unemployed healthcare workers and underemployed foreign medical graduates will help build the workforce needed to fight the pandemic and also create new opportunities and jobs for Californians struggling with unemployment,” said California Labor Secretary Julie A Su.
“California must continue to prepare our healthcare delivery system and make sure it has every resource to respond to a potential surge in COVID-19 patients,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
“California’s most valuable resource is its people, and I join the governor in calling on all medical professionals to join the fight against COVID-19,” said Ghaly.
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