If you’re ready to dedicate yourself to the rewarding field of health care, you can benefit from a multitude of job opportunities across Manitoba.
The demand for skilled healthcare professionals is so strong, in fact, that the provincial government recently distributed a letter addressed to new graduates assuring them of waiting opportunities.
“Choosing a career in health care is one of the greatest acts of service a person can take, and we are so grateful for the hard work and long hours you’ve put in to get to this point,” the letter reads. “As you prepare to graduate, there will be a job available to you—and to every health care graduate—in our province.”
In this blog, we explore the range of careers available, with a special focus on three occupations that offer particularly strong prospects and take a year or less of training: health care aides, medical laboratory assistants, and medical office assistants.
Keep reading to learn more about the opportunities that exist and how you can take advantage of them.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- A Spectrum of Health Care Careers
- Spotlight on:
A SPECTRUM OF HEALTH CARE CAREERS
The health care field encompasses a vast array of professions. Whether you’re drawn to direct patient care, research, administration, or public health, there’s a path waiting for you.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the rewarding opportunities available:
Direct patient care: Nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, social workers—these are just a few of the roles that involve working directly with patients to improve their health outcomes.
Research and diagnostics: Medical laboratory assistants, pharmacists, radiologists, and pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating illnesses through laboratory testing and medical imaging.
Health care administration: This sector focuses on the business side of health care, ensuring smooth operation in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Roles include health administrators, human resources professionals, and medical office assistants.
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH CARE AIDES
Health care aides (HCAs) are the backbone of patient care, providing direct support to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Their duties typically involve assisting patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. HCAs also monitor vital signs, take notes on patient conditions, and report concerns to nurses.
Demand and Job Outlook in Manitoba
The Government of Canada Job Bank says health care aides are in very good demand all over the province, with every region receiving a full five stars for outlook and growth. In fact, this profession ranks third on the provincial government’s list of occupations with the highest number of projected openings through 2026. The shortage is so acute that the province’s 2024 budget includes a goal of hiring 600 new health care aides over the next year alone.
Health care aides are needed all over Manitoba
Work Environment and Opportunities
Health care aides can find employment in a variety of settings:
- Long-term care facilities: Providing care for elderly residents who need assistance with daily activities and medical care
- Hospitals: Assisting nurses and other health care professionals in providing patient care
- Home care: Offering support to individuals who prefer to receive care in the comfort of their homes
- Community health centres: Working within communities to support individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses
Education and Training
To become an HCA in Manitoba, you must complete a recognized training program. At Herzing, the health care aide program is only 6.5 months long, including an eight-week practicum. Students receive instruction in anatomy, patient care, communication, and nutrition. They also graduate with valuable certifications like first aid and CPR.
SPOTLIGHT ON MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANTS
Medical laboratory assistants (MLAs) collect samples of blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids and prepare the samples for further testing. That testing plays a critical role in diagnosing diseases, monitoring treatment progress, and ensuring patient safety.
Demand and Job Outlook in Manitoba
The Job Bank gives this profession four stars for outlook and growth in the Winnipeg area, meaning there is good demand for medical laboratory assistants. Advances in medical technology and an increased focus on early disease detection and prevention have led to a greater need for laboratory services. This trend is expected to continue, ensuring a steady demand for MLAs in the coming years.
Medical lab assistants collect samples from patients
Work Environment and Opportunities
Medical laboratory assistants typically work in:
- Hospitals: Supporting laboratory operations by conducting routine test and ensuring the accuracy of results
- Diagnostic laboratories: Working in specialized labs that perform a wide range of tests for various medical conditions
- Private clinics: Providing laboratory services in smaller, more specialized healthcare settings
Education and Training
Medical laboratory assistant training programs are generally short, allowing you to get into the workforce quickly. Herzing’s MLA program takes just four months to complete and includes a six-week internship for practical lab experience. The program also covers the knowledge and skills you need for certification through the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS), which is often preferred by employers.
SPOTLIGHT ON MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANTS
Medical office assistants (MOAs) are the essential glue that holds healthcare facilities together. They provide administrative support and ensure that patient care is efficiently coordinated. MOAs handle a variety of tasks, including scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and facilitating communication between patients and health care providers.
Demand and Job Outlook in Manitoba
MOAs are in strong demand across Manitoba, with every region receiving a four- or five-star rating from the Job Bank. In its latest budget, the province dedicated $17 million to open five new primary care clinics and two new minor injury and illness clinics, all of which will need staffing. Overall, the provincial government expects employment of medical administrative assistants to grow by 16 per cent between 2022 and 2026.
Medical office assistants are the first point of contact in a clinic
Work Environment and Opportunities
Medical office assistants can work in a range of settings, including:
- Hospitals: Managing administrative tasks in various departments, ensuring smooth operations and patient flow
- Clinics: Handling the front desk operations, patient scheduling, and coordination of care
- Private practices: Supporting solo practitioners or small group practices with a variety of administrative and patient care tasks
- Specialized medical facilities: Working in environments such as dental offices, chiropractic clinics, and physiotherapy centres
Education and Training
Employers look for candidates with college-level medical office administration training. Herzing’s MOA program is delivered online and covers medical terminology, office procedures, billing, and patient communication. Training is only 12 months long, internship included.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A REWARDING CAREER IN HEALTH CARE
The health care field in Manitoba offers a wealth of opportunities. Health care aides, medical laboratory assistants, and medical office assistants in particular are in high demand, with promising job prospects and the potential for fulfilling careers. As the province continues to invest in its health care infrastructure, the need for skilled professionals will only grow.
Herzing College offers career-focused health care programs that can prepare you to seize such opportunities. Click below to learn more about what we have to offer and chat live with a friendly admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
