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Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker
Area of study
Health & Human Services
Credential
Certificate
Program Length
1 Year | Full time
Program Overview
CIP Code: 51.2601
The Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker program equips students with essential skills to provide patient-centered care and support complex care needs as part of an interdisciplinary team. The curriculum aligns with current health care practices, offering practical skills training through two preceptor-led work practicum placements.
Core Information
January 2026 (Days)
Program Highlights
- Comprehensive Training: Covers anatomy, physiology, human health conditions, and disease states.
- Hands-on Experience: Two industry placements in long-term and acute care settings.
- Specialized Skills Development: Training in communication, patient care, and assisting with complex care needs.
- Essential Certifications: Includes CPR, WHMIS, PHIA, Violence Protection, and Safe Patient Handling.
- Culturally Competent Care: Focus on patient rights, social determinants of health, and culturally appropriate practices.
- Industry-Standard Software Training: Teaches software application skills for healthcare professionals.
Career Outcomes
- Health Care Aide
- Personal Support Worker
- Health Care Support Worker
- Patient Care Aide
Entry Requirements
- Manitoba high school diploma (or expected completion within 45 days of the program start date), or equivalent.
- Grade 12 Math (40S) with a grade of 50 per cent or higher, or equivalent.
- Grade 12 English Language Arts (40S) with a grade of 50 per cent or higher, or equivalent.
- Grade 11 Biology (30S) with a grade of 50 per cent or higher, or equivalent.
Additional Requirements
- Demonstrated English language proficiency (if educated outside Canada)
Find out more about Admission Requirements. For pre-practicum requirements, check out the FAQs section below.
Tuition and Fees
| Estimated Program Costs | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,683 |
| Fees | $965 |
| Estimated Textbook Costs | $700 |
| Total Estimated Program Costs | $9,348.00 |
Costs are estimates and are subject to change. Visit Tuition and Fees and Textbooks and Supplies for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, students complete two preceptor-led practicums, each lasting four weeks, under the supervision of a registered nurse. These placements include:
- Acute care practicum in a hospital setting
- Long-term care practicum in a residential facility
Important Details:
- Successful completion of both practicums is required for graduation.
- MITT does not guarantee placement site choice or proximity to a student’s residence.
- Placements may be assigned out of town or in remote locations.
- Practicum shifts may be scheduled outside standard program hours.
Pre-placement clearance requirements
To be eligible for practicum, students must meet the following requirements:
- Clear Police Information Check (PIC)/Vulnerable Sector (VS) Check (completed in Manitoba, valid for six months)
- Clear Child and Adult Abuse Registry Checks (valid for six months, covering practicum duration)
- Current, approved immunization record as per WRHA guidelines
Additional notes:
- Students must meet all clearance requirements, or they may be ineligible for practicum placement and program completion.
- Students are responsible for all costs associated with these clearances.
- Clearance documents must be obtained within the timelines specified by MITT.
- Students are covered by Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) insurance during their practicum.
Work placement eligibility
Work placement is a mandatory component of this program. To participate, students must meet all work placement eligibility criteria. MITT cannot guarantee placements to students who do not meet these requirements:
- A minimum grade of 70 per cent in all prerequisite courses
- Demonstrated safe patient standard compliance
- Emergency First Aid, BLS/CPR and AED Certification Training
- N95 Fit Mask Test
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate
- Violence Protection Program (VPP) training
- Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Capabilities, Environmental and Social (PIECES) training
- Hearing Voices training
- Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) certificate
- Mental Health training
- Dementia training
- Valid Co-op Work Permit (applies to international students only)
Textbooks and Supplies
A complete supply list and textbook information can be found on the Program information page.
Laptop Requirements
Students must bring a Tier 2 laptop for this program. More information and technical specifications are available on the Laptop and Technical Needs page.
Yes, we offer campus tours. Explore our Campus Tour options.
Yes, financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Explore financial aid options.
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Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker
All Courses
Introduction to the Healthcare Environment (Health-TBD 1) — 42 hours
Explore the diverse roles of healthcare practitioners in Manitoba. Topics include the Canadian Health Care System, government roles, patient and provider rights, culturally appropriate care, and social determinants of health. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: None.Communication Essentials (HHHPG-TBD 1) — 42 hours
Develop essential communication skills for professional settings in Canada. Includes lectures, workshops, discussions, and practical exercises in real-world scenarios. Minimum Passing Grade: 50%. Course Requirements: None.Anatomy and Physiology 1 (Health-TBD 2) — hours
Learn about human body structure and major system functions essential for maintaining health. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: None.Human Development for Healthcare Professionals (Health-TBD-3) — 42 hours
Study human growth across life stages, focusing on cognitive, emotional, and social development, as well as caregiving techniques. Minimum Passing Grade: 50%. Course Requirements: None.Software Application Skills (HHHPG-TBD-2) — 42 hours
Learn essential software applications, including spreadsheets, scheduling tools, and research databases. Minimum Passing Grade: 50%. Course Requirements: None.Communications in Healthcare (Health-TBD-4) — 42 hours
Develop advanced communication skills for interactions with healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: Introduction to the Healthcare Environment, Communication Essentials.Human Health Conditions and Disease States (Health-TBD-5) — 42 hours
Focus on roles in healthcare, disease management, and culturally appropriate care. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: Introduction to the Healthcare Environment, Anatomy and Physiology 1.Global Citizen (HHHPG-TBD 3) — 42 hours
Examine the relationship between diversity, social justice, and sustainability. Inspired by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, students gain skills in equity, justice, and intercultural communication. Minimum Passing Grade: 50%. Course Requirements: None.Medical Terminology (Health-TBD-6) — 42 hours
Study the language of healthcare, covering terms related to body systems and diseases. Emphasis on accurate documentation. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: Anatomy and Physiology 1, Human Health Conditions and Disease States.Anatomy and Physiology 2 (Health-TBD-7) — 42 hours
Continue exploring human anatomy and physiology, focusing on the relationships and functions of body systems. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: None.Supporting Complex Care Needs 1 (HCA-TBD-1) — 84 hours
Gain foundational patient care skills, including hygiene, skin care, and safe practice standards. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: Multiple prerequisites including Anatomy and Physiology 1 and Communications in Healthcare.Supporting Complex Care Needs 2 (HCA-TBD-2) — 84 hours
Expand on foundational skills to include medication assistance, fluid balance, and respiratory care. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: Supporting Complex Care Needs 1 and other program prerequisites.Health Care Aide Training Seminars (HCA-TBD-3) — 12 hours
Complete certifications in CPR, WHMIS, VPP, and more to meet healthcare industry standards. Minimum Passing Grade: 70%. Course Requirements: None.Health Care Aide Long Term Care Practicum (HCA-TBD-4) — 160 hours
Apply classroom skills in a long-term care setting. Practicum includes supervised patient care activities. Minimum Passing Grade: Pass. Course Requirements: Completion of prior program courses and certifications.Health Care Aide Acute Care Practicum (HCA-TBD-5) — 160 hours
Build on practicum experience with more advanced, independent acute care activities. Minimum Passing Grade: Pass. Course Requirements: Completion of Long Term Care Practicum and all prior program requirements.