Recognizing Rural Professionals Through Enhanced Compensation

Want to work or keep working in rural Alberta? Your Rural Capacity Investment Fund may help!

HSAA members provide essential health care in communities across Alberta. Recruiting and keeping health-care professionals in rural communities can be challenging, and those vacancies put additional pressure on the professionals already providing care.

That’s why HSAA works to negotiate dedicated funding through our collective agreements to support recruitment and retention in rural Alberta.

The Rural Capacity Investment Fund (RCIF) provides financial incentives and initiatives aimed at attracting professionals to difficult-to-recruit positions, as well as supporting members who commit to continuing their careers in rural communities. 

HSAA jointly manages RCIF funding with employers, giving members a direct role in deciding how these investments best support members and strengthen rural care.

The RCIF is managed by a joint committee of both employer and Union representatives who make consensus-based decisions on how the fund will operate.

How you can help

LEARN: Find out what funding is available and whether you or your workplace may qualify.

SHARE: Know a health-care professional who might consider working in rural Alberta? Send them this information about available RCIF recruitment incentives by sending them a link to this page!

APPLY! Make sure you use the application portal specific to your current or prospective employer.

Interested? Find the RCIF for your current or prospective employer

There are currently two separate Rural Capacity Investment Funds open to HSAA members. 

Note: Each agreement's RCIF has separate funding, eligibility and application processes. Make sure to use the links and information related to your specific employer/collective agreement.

1. Alberta Health Services & Multi-Employer Agreement RCIF

The AHS and Multi-employer Collective Agreement RCIF is a $54-million fund for current or prospective employees of Alberta Health Services, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta, Cancer Care Alberta, Emergency Health Services, Give Life Alberta, Health Shared Services, Primary Care Alberta and Recovery Alberta. 

For eligible members, incentives may include*:

  • Up to $60,000 in recruitment incentive for eligible employees who accept a difficult-to-recruit regular position, depending on FTE and commitment.
  • Up to $6,000 in retention incentive for eligible employees who commit to remaining in their regular position for one year, depending on FTE.
  • Other incentives for eligible or prospective employees in temporary positions.

Applications are now open for both recruitment and retention incentives. Click here to apply.

You can also view a recording of an information webinar held on September 16, 2026.

*Incentives are subject to change after a mid-point review.

2. Covenant Health RCIF

Covenant Health's Logo on a white background.

The Covenant Health Collective Agreement RCIF is a $3.7-million fund for current or prospective employees of Covenant Health. 

While applications are not yet open, interested members are invited to take a survey on fund priorities. 

The Covenant Health RCIF will be launching in Fall 2026. More details to come.