Do you want to help make a difference to the healthcare system by supporting patients’ physical, emotional, and social needs? This program will help you gain the knowledge and skills to work to the full scope of practice of the health care aide/personal support worker role within a range of healthcare settings to deliver safe and effective care. Students will sharpen their knowledge and skills through theory, practice, and the real-world experiences they gain through work practicum rotations and position themselves for multiple paths to employment in health care upon graduation. And participation in MITT’s Bridging to Work workshops ensure graduates enter the workforce with a strong foundation of employability and essential skills.

Who it is for

Individuals wishing to pursue a career in health care to support patient care and who are detail oriented, organized, and strong communicators.

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.

Costs incurred for immunizations and other clearance documentation are the responsibility of the student. All required documentation must be provided to the College by the prescribed deadline to safeguard a student’s practicum eligibility. MITT reserves the right to assign students to out-of-town placements including remote Regional Health Authority facilities (e.g. The Pas, Thompson, and Churchill). Students will be responsible for all transportation and accommodation costs associated with the assigned placement. Students may be required to work day, evening, night, and/or weekend shifts while on practicum.

Practicum Qualifications:

The Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker Program would have the following eligibility criteria for Work Practicum qualification:

• Work Practicum Agreement form
• A minimum grade of 70% for the applicable courses and successful completion of all patient safety zero tolerance components.
• Clear Police Information Check (CPI) clearance/Vulnerable Sector Check clearance (the CPI must be dated within six months of start of the practicum)
• Clear Provincial Child Abuse Registry Check clearance
• Clear Adult Abuse Registry Check clearance
• Completed Immunizations and Testing (as per WRHA guidelines for Health Care Workers)
• Emergency First Aid and Health Care Provider CPR (Level C) certificate
• N95 Fit Mask testing
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate
• Violence Protection Program (VPP) training
• Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Capabilities, Environmental and Social (PIECES) training
• Hearing Voices – Schizophrenia training
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) certificate
• Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) certificate
• Valid Co-op Work Permit (applies to international students only)

Work practicum is a mandatory component of this program. Students must meet all program eligibility criteria to qualify for practicum. MITT does not guarantee practicum placements when students do not meet eligibility criteria (including having a valid co-op work permit).

Continuous Program Improvement

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.