Herzing Blog

Updated March 2023

Aiming to play a key role on a patient care team without going through years of university training? Then you may want to become a health care aide.

Health care aides deliver the kind of front-line, compassionate support that makes a real difference in patients’ lives. By providing practical assistance and companionship, they help their clients stay as safe and independent as possible.

And now is an excellent time to get into this career. There’s very strong demand for health care aides in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba.

So what does it take to get started? How do you become a health care aide?

Read on to learn about five simple steps that can help you reach your goal.

Updated December 2023

Do you feel driven to help at-risk children and teens get the support they need to improve their lives? If you become a youth worker, you can make a career out of doing exactly that.

Youth workers specialize in helping kids navigate tough situations. They connect vulnerable young people with community programs and resources designed to lift them out of dangerous conditions and get on a better path.

Ultimately, this job is about ensuring the safety and well-being of kids who find themselves in challenging circumstances.

Looking to become a youth worker? Not sure how to begin?

Have a look at five steps that can help you launch a career in this branch of social services.

Updated December 2023

Medical office assistants (MOAs) handle the administrative functions that keep healthcare facilities operating effectively. By carrying out a range of clerical and clinical tasks, MOAs provide the kind of essential support that helps ensure patients get quality care.

Thinking about a career as an MOA? Wondering how much you could earn in this field?

Medical office assistant salaries can vary depending on where you live, how much experience you have, and what type of facility you work in.

We reviewed government labour market data along with current job postings to get a true sense of MOA pay in Canada.

Check out the latest salary info for medical office assistants and see how you can begin a career in this field.

Updated December 2023

Many people are drawn to a career as a community support worker (CSW) out of a desire to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals.

CSWs give at-risk people the tools and resources they need to overcome their challenges and rebuild their lives. This role is about offering compassionate, practical support to those in need. And it can be very rewarding.

But of course, there are advantages and drawbacks to every job. You should have a full picture of what to expect before you commit to a career path.

Read on to discover the major pros and cons of becoming a CSW, and see if this role truly is your calling.

Updated January 2024

There's a lot of overlap between the work of a medical office assistant (MOA) and a nursing unit clerk. Both carry out a range of tasks that keep a medical facility operating effectively.

So how are they different?

The main difference between an MOA and a unit clerk is that MOAs may help with certain clinical procedures, like measuring vital signs. Unit clerks tend to focus on clerical tasks only.

Ultimately, however, the two jobs are more alike than not.

In this post, we break down the basics of the MOA and unit clerk roles: what they do, where they work, how much they make, and what training and skills they need.

Explore the similarities and differences and get a better understanding of both careers.

Updated January 2023

Personal support workers (PSWs) play a crucial role in helping vulnerable people live their best lives. They usually work with seniors who need extra support with daily living tasks.

PSWs work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, retirement residences, hospitals, and for companies that deliver support to seniors in their own homes. They help clients maintain their dignity, stay safe, and remain as independent as possible.

Wondering if this career path is right for you? Want to know what you'd be doing at work?

In this post, we take you through the day-to-day duties of personal support workers and explain their role in client care.

Find out what becoming a PSW is all about, and if this occupation is your true calling.

Updated December 2023

A Community Support Worker (CSW) diploma is a quick, efficient way to start a career in social services.

If you want to do front-line work in your community, but don’t want to earn a university degree in social work, a CSW diploma is a good alternative. It takes no more than 12 months to complete the program. 

We have been delivering CSW training for several years.

Students always say their favourite part of the program is the hands-on training in counselling, plus the real experience they get on internship at a local community organization.Most students are excited to get out there and start working with people in need. They’re not interested in spending years studying social work history and theory.  

So, exactly what topics and skills are covered in a CSW diploma? How does it prepare you for the challenges of supporting at-risk people?

Read on for a good preview of what you’ll be learning in class.

Updated January 2024

Want a healthcare career that offers a blend of clerical and clinical work? A role as a medical office assistant could be ideal.

But just what is a medical office assistant? If you took on this job, what would you actually be doing all day?

Medical office assistants (MOAs) are the first point of contact for anyone calling or arriving at a clinic, hospital, or other healthcare facility. They greet patients, update files, prep exam rooms, and carry out a range of other duties that keep the medical office operating smoothly.

In this post, we outline the essential role of MOAs and the many tasks they perform each day. Get a full picture of life on the job and see if this career is a good choice for you.

Photo: Chika Modozie (far left) standing with local community members (Source: cbc.ca)

Chika Modozie started out with a degree in business administration, but she always knew business wasn’t her true calling. She wanted a career where she could help people in need.

After immigrating to Canada almost 10 years ago, Chika found herself looking at new training options. She landed in Herzing’s Community Support Worker (CSW) program, which completely changed the course of her life.

Now, Chika works as a police officer in a special outreach unit focused on crime prevention and community building.

We interviewed her about her experience in community support worker training and how her career path unfolded since graduation.

Find out what to expect in class, learn more about the social services field, and see if this career is right for you.

Updated December 2023

Looking to become an addiction counsellor? Improving the lives of people battling problems with drugs or alcohol can be immensely rewarding.

And the need for these professionals is higher than ever. Canada saw more than 3,500 opiod-related deaths in the first half of 2022 alone. And a recent report says deaths due to alcohol grew by 18 per cent in Canada between 2020 and 2021--the biggest yearly increase in the last two decades.

But what does it take to become an addiction counsellor? How can you get started in this field?

In this post, we provide a clear breakdown of the training and skills every addiction counsellor needs. Here's what you need to know.