Are you passionate about making a real difference in the healthcare system? Join this program to prepare yourself for a crucial role in supporting patients’ physical, emotional, and social needs.

Through this program, you will develop essential skills to provide patient-centred care and support complex needs as part of a larger interdisciplinary care team. You will learn about the different levels of care within the Canadian health system and the safe patient standards that guide the health care field and assure patient safety. Students are prepared for diverse employment opportunities through the hands-on learning in our patient care simulation lab, combined with a work practicum experience in long term care and a second placement in an acute care practice environment. Participation in MITT’s Bridging to Work workshops ensure graduates enter the workforce with a strong foundation of employability and essential skills.

This pathway promises a rewarding career with long-term job security given the rising demand for health care services. You will start in an entry-level role and can advance to supervisory and managerial positions as you gain experience or further your education.

Who it is for

Individuals who like to help and care for others, are detail oriented, organized, and strong communicators. Students demonstrate patience, empathy, compassion, and respect for diversity.

Course information
Career information

Two, preceptor-led work practicums place students under the supervision of a registered nurse for four weeks at a time. The health care aide practicums include an acute care placement in a hospital setting and a long-term care placement. Successful completion of practicum is required for a student to graduate from the program.

MITT does not guarantee placement site choice or proximity to a student’s residence. The institution reserves the right to assign out-of-town placements, including remote locations. Practicum shifts may be scheduled outside the standard program hours.

Practicum Eligibility Criteria:

The Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker program has the following eligibility criteria for work practicum qualification:

• A minimum grade of 70% in all prerequisite courses
• Demonstrated safe patient standard compliance
• Clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check or RCMP equivalent (dated within six months of the practicum end date)
• Clear Provincial Child Abuse Registry
• Clear Adult Abuse Registry
• Current, approved Immunization Record (as per the WRHA guidelines for Health Care Workers)
• 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)

Work practicum is a mandatory component of this program. To participate, students must meet all work practicum eligibility criteria. MITT cannot guarantee placements to students who do not meet these requirements.

Health Care Aide and Rehab Assistant Simulation Lab

MITT continuously reviews and improves programs to maintain relevance in the workplace and effective learning experiences for all students. Although the institution strives to have the website reflect the most current version of all programs, MITT reserves the right to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet industry and accreditation requirements. As a result, course information and learning outcomes may be adjusted prior to the scheduled course start date.