While many industries have rapidly evolved, the healthcare industry remains relatively slow to adapt. Take for instance the example of fax, the National Health Services in UK has finally decided to no longer provide financial support to buy fax machines. The slow adaptation does not mean that healthcare industry does not want its worker to learn new skills or use of equipment. The financial pressures and budgetary cuts have forced healthcare industry to expect more from its workers. The case-in-point is the rising demand from allied health professionals to perform phlebotomy or EKG even when they do not formally receive training to perform these simple procedures.

In the educational services, we are seeing an increasing trend among health professionals to upgrade skills from accredited institutions. These professionals are opting for common procedures performed at medical offices including phlebotomy, EKG, and EMR (electronic medical record) training. Many professionals are also choosing to expand their skillset to look for opportunities in clinical research and insurance.

The Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics is well aware of these demands and is offering well-designed, hands-on, and cost-effective skills upgradation workshops. Our popular programs include phlebotomy, Field Health Examiner (health insurance), clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and EKG workshops. For more information, please contact info@cchap.ca or call 416-233-7869 during business hours.

Canadian government relies on public, non-profit, and private institutions to offer universal, equitable healthcare to all its citizens. The role of medical office that is embedded within the community is undeniable in fulfilling the government agenda of universal healthcare guaranteed to Canadians by law. Physicians often work as independent professionals, and hence managing day to day operations in any medical office requires permanent, reliable staff. Medical office assistants are the front-line worker contributing in administration and management of healthcare facilities across Canada and it is one of the most sought careers among those aspiring to work in healthcare industry.

Typically, the medical office assistants are required to know about medical terminologies and have computer skills to meet the needs of documentation, privacy, filing claims for reimbursement, and other administrative tasks in a medical office. For mature students who have a secondary school certificate or internationally trained health professionals can learn these skills over a short period of time (approx. six months) to performs these tasks efficiently in a medical office setting. Though there is no regulatory body of medical office assistants, however, many employers including public hospitals and independent health facilities hire those who have completed a certificate in an accredited post-secondary college.

The Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics offers the Medical Office Assistant program as approved by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) The program is 29 weeks long (approx. six months). A training placement is part of the program and students receive assistance in job search in medical offices following the completing of program.

Many students aspiring for a healthcare career tell us that it is so competitive and long to adapt a healthcare career in Canada. We respectfully disagree. Personal Support Worker is one such career that has helped many mature students in Canada and new immigrants to begin their careers in healthcare in short duration with many flexible job options.

It is no surprise that baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) are increasingly requesting assistance for their needs of living and healthcare. Personal Support Workers enables public and private institutions to offer these services to baby boomers and other senior citizens.

The usual work place is a long-term care center or homes of seniors. The work is organized as shifts of 4 hours to 8 hours. The tasks include assistance in personal care, home tasks, and some medical assistance (e.g., helping with medications). Average salaries range from $18 per hour with shifts. The median income is around $21 per hour. Given the job opportunities available across Canada, this profession can be a stepping stone towards other health careers in Canada with a descent starting salary.

The Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics offers the Personal Support Worker program that is accredited by the National Association of Career Colleges of Canada and is only 31 weeks long (approx. six months). Students receive assistance in job search in public and private institutions.