New healthcare program to fill critical gaps in staffing, especially in rural communities
Posted January 10, 2025 3:23 pm.
Last Updated January 11, 2025 10:37 am.
Although Manitoba’s healthcare system is always evolving and changing, what’s remained a constant is its staff — tirelessly working behind-the-scenes to provide care for each patient in a room and in a bed. However, critical gaps in staffing seen province-wide for years have had a direct impact in care.
To address these gaps, a new program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) is training students to be adaptable and fill multiple roles in Manitoba’s healthcare system.
“[It’s] kind of hard, but giving back to the society and giving all your best to them, and seeing that kind of smile, I think at the end of the day is everything,” said Rabia Ano, currently training in a healthcare program at MITT.
As an asthmatic child, Ano said she spent a lot of time in hospital, leading her to pursue a career in the industry.
“One of my moments of visiting I saw people ill and I felt like, I wanted to do something to help them. At that moment, that’s when I realized I wanted to be in healthcare,” she said.
Related: Rural and northern Manitoba hospitals suffer while dealing with staff shortage
People like Ano who want to get into healthcare can apply for MITT’s new medical assistant and patient care program, which will train students in the multiple disciplines of healthcare aide, medical office and unit clerk and kicks off this fall.
“We have critical shortages in our healthcare system as we know, it’s in the news every day,” said Beverlie Stuart, MITT’s vice president of business development and community initiatives.
She said being trained in multiple roles is critical to address shortages in the region.
“What [the industry is] looking for in today’s worker is somebody that has more flexibility in their skills, that they can pivot if needed,” she explained.
Stuart says now is the time for people interested in pursuing a career in healthcare to get training. Starting Monday, MITT is waiving application fees for all its programs until spring.
“Because there’s a high demand, this is going to be a very rewarding and well-paying career as well,” said Stuart.
Program to address shortages in communities outside of city centres
Regions in rural Manitoba, including First Nations, have been struggling to attract and retain workers for years. In the Southern Health-Santé Sud regional health authority, which serves southern Manitoba, is seeing 295 vacant positions including health information services and unit clerks.
MITT’s dean of health, hospitality, human services, and post-graduate studies, Curtis Aab, said its new multidisciplinary program will heavily impact these regions outside of city centres, where staff are required to assume multiple responsibilities.
“When we look at rural communities where maybe the staffing numbers aren’t as large or the clinics aren’t as big, having someone that can slot into those multiple roles will be a big advantage.”
In addition to in-classroom learning, Aab said students will also have a chance for hands-on learning through practicums included in the course so they can get real experience working in healthcare.
“They gain that valuable experience and a lot of students stay in some of those roles with those employers, so we know that they’re meeting their needs,” said Aab.
Students hope to make positive impacts in healthcare
“I’m here and I love what I’m doing,” said MITT student Gift Omatosho. “I like to help people.”
Omatosho is studying alongside Ano, and like Ano she said she’s looking forward to making a positive impact on the people she works with — staff and patients alike.
“I’m hoping to help people make meaning out of their lives and then making them happy and smile. Put smiles on people’s faces.”
Reflecting on why she’s chosen a career in healthcare, Omatosho said she feels good in her ability to help others.
“Helping people for me, it’s like feeling more fulfilled for me,” she said.
Ano adding, “From childhood, I’ve always found inner joy helping people at their lowest moments. That inner joy has been my strength, even when it gets tough. I keep going because the fulfillment keeps me going.”
