In the wake of the global health crisis, there has been an increase in the demand for healthcare workers, particularly Filipino healthcare professionals.
In a recent interview with TrueProfile.io, a platform dedicated to connecting healthcare professionals with legitimate job opportunities, Michelle Ibarra, Director of DataFlow Group and spokesperson for TrueProfile.io, states that the Philippines has always been a top choice for sourcing talents in the healthcare sector. This is because of two main reasons: the quality of education and the innate nurturing nature of Filipinos.
“A lot of countries have taken note of this, and that’s why the Philippines is always a top preferred country when it comes to talent,” said Ibarra.
Unfortunately, this increased demand also gave rise to employment scams in the health industry.
In the interview, Ibarra sheds light on the prevalence of scams and outlined their efforts to combat fraudulent activities.
Rising Scams During the Pandemic
The pandemic’s urgency and the rapid mobilization of healthcare workers created a fertile ground for scammers and a surge in fake job opportunities. Scammers exploited the time-sensitive nature of the pandemic, pressuring healthcare workers to make quick decisions and demanding upfront fees for placements.
Ibarra highlighted the challenges faced by Filipino healthcare workers, especially those from the provinces.
“A lot of these professionals, especially those in the provinces, do not have easy access to information to let them know what is legitimate,” said Ibarra.
Aside from limited access to information, the urgency of the situation made them susceptible to scams. The pressure tactics employed by fraudulent agencies took advantage of the professionals’ eagerness to secure opportunities abroad.
True Profile’s Anti-Scam Efforts
TrueProfile.io aims to address these challenges by becoming a trustworthy ecosystem for healthcare professionals.
“We want accessible information more than anything. We really want to build a credible ecosystem where verified professionals are there, and they have access to a lot of ancillary services like e-learning and verified job openings,” said Ibarra.
By offering a strict verification process for job openings, TrueProfile.io strives to ensure that healthcare workers can make informed decisions without falling victim to scams.
The Verification Process
One key aspect of TrueProfile.io’s commitment to legitimacy is its robust verification process. Members must submit various documents, including diplomas and licenses, which undergo a thorough verification by the platform’s verification team. TrueProfile.io collaborates with DataFlow, ensuring that the information is authentic and aligns with the issuing authorities.
“DataFlow has been an industry leader in primary source verification for the past 17 years, and if there is anything that is at the core of our business, it is due diligence,” said Ibarra. “These job openings, before they get into the TrueProfile platform, they go through a very stringent process of ensuring that these are the requirements of the company, this is the contract, etc. We go to lengths to really understand what is out there for the Filipino healthcare workers.”
Success Stories
During the interview, Ibarra also shared the success story of a Filipino nurse named Ilen Mae Ecot, who found her dream job in Ireland through TrueProfile.io.
Such testimonials highlight the platform’s impact in connecting healthcare professionals with legitimate opportunities and contributing to their career growth.
Empowering Filipino Healthcare Workers.
TrueProfile.io aims to empower Filipino healthcare workers by providing them with awareness and access to trends and market requirements.
Looking ahead, TrueProfile.io envisions to be the “LinkedIn of Healthcare”. Through communities and discussions within the platform, professionals can make informed decisions about their careers and help them avoid potential scams.
