Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Free supportive care program offered at college to address healthcare worker shortage

Mar 27, 2023 | 5:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – In the last seven years, Alberta Health Services has increased spending on temporary workers, including travel nurses and contract workers, by tenfold.

In 2020 and 2021, $5.1 million was spent on contract workers to keep hospitals functional.

Now, College Institutes Canada and Medicine Hat College are collaborating to address this healthcare worker shortage, with a free six-week supportive care program being offered at the college.

Jason Openo, Medicine Hat College’s Dean of the School of Health and Community Services, says the online program is flexible for students, and it gives an introduction into the long-term care profession.

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“The curriculum has six modules. Students that are introduced to communication, professionalism, and what it’s like to take care of someone, you know, feeding. And also they’re immersed in the employment field, and they get a chance to see what these environments are like,” said Openo.

After studying online for six weeks, students sign up with an employer and complete a paid work placement of 280 hours. Employers participating in the program receive a twenty-five hundred subsidy for each student. In addition, students who pursue the complete aid healthcare program receive a five-thousand dollar subsidy.

Openo says the federal government is providing support due to a recent study conducted.

“Medicine Hat College recently completed a labors skills study to look at the labor shortages within our area, and four out of the top five fields are within healthcare, including health care aides, and we’re hoping the healthcare program can incentivize people to start off their healthcare careers,” said Openo.

Minimal requirements are needed to enroll, and registration is currently open but there’s a limited number of spots.