When thinking about pursuing a new career path, many people want to find work that is fulfilling and meaningful, which leads them to consider healthcare. The next question is: which healthcare career is the right fit for you?
There are a variety of career paths under the healthcare umbrella, each one appealing to different skill sets, strengths, and personalities. Keep reading to explore the healthcare programs offered at Sprott Shaw College and discover which potential career path is the best match for you.
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Still have questions or need help deciding which career is the best fit? Our Admissions Advisors can assist you! Click the button below to complete a contact form and an advisor will get in touch with you soon.
Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses (also commonly known as LPNs) are a vital part of the healthcare team in hospitals and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They perform routine check-ins and assessments (such as measuring temperature and blood pressure), administer medication, assist with daily living activities, and ensure continuity of care through proper communication and documentation.
You’d make an excellent LPN if you are…
A people person. You love to meet new people, and you know how to make them feel comfortable and relaxed.
Flexible when things are unpredictable. As a nurse, your work schedule, who your patients are, and how your shift will go are often up in the air. You embrace the unknown and pivot when necessary.
Resilient. You have strong mental stamina and can push through difficult or emotionally taxing situations.
Sprott Shaw College is one of the largest providers of Practical Nursing training in the province. With campuses on Vancouver Island, in the Interior, and across the Lower Mainland, we’re ready to prepare you for a high-paying and fulfilling nursing career no matter where you are.
Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs) are healthcare heroes who provide critical care when people need it most. Responding to medical emergencies, they enter unpredictable situations to assess patients and provide immediate care. PCPs are often the first healthcare professional that sick and injured people encounter, which means that they carry the weight of strangers’ trust. When individuals in distress or pain see a Paramedic, they can let out a sigh of relief knowing that help has arrived.
A career as a Primary Care Paramedic might be for you if you are…
The calm in the middle of a storm. When things become chaotic, you’re the one who maintains focus and gets the job done.
Dependable. By using your critical thinking skills and thinking on your feet, you act fast and responsibly.
Resourceful. You know how to make the most of what you have and find solutions when the situation doesn’t go according to plan.
Our Primary Care Paramedic program prepares students for a fulfilling career through hands-on learning in our training ambulance, ambulance simulators, and practicums and preceptorships with BC Emergency Health Services and local Health Authorities woven throughout the program.
Health Care Assistants (HCAs) are typically employed in community and facility healthcare settings where they maintain the comfort and well-being of patients through routine check-ins and personal care assistance including feeding, dressing, toileting, and bathing.
You should consider becoming a Health Care Assistant if you are…
Empathetic. When someone is going through a challenging time, you’re the one who makes them feel seen and comforted.
Adaptable. Things don’t always go according to plan, but you find ways to make it work by thinking on your feet.
Positive. The people receiving care from an HCA are usually going through a difficult time, and your positive attitude can make all the difference in their day.
In just seven months, Sprott Shaw’s Health Care Assistant program provides the practical skills and real-world experience needed to succeed in a growing healthcare field. Through hands-on clinical placements and experienced instructors, students graduate ready to make a difference from day one.
Dental Assistant
Dental Assistants perform a combination of intra-oral care and administrative duties, playing an essential role in keeping operations running smoothly. They’re responsible for taking X-rays, polishing teeth, applying fluoride, sterilizing tools, maintaining equipment, and scheduling appointments.
A career as a Dental Assistant might be in your future if you are…
Detail-oriented and precise. You catch things that others might miss and you address them accordingly.
Patient. You know you can’t rush perfection! Dental Assistants juggle time-sensitive tasks with care.
Organized and on time. When you have a schedule, you stick with it. And when you have responsibilities, you get them done!
Sprott Shaw’s Dental Assistant program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), which means that our program is guaranteed to provide students with relevant and high-quality education. As a fully accredited program, our Dental Assistant students are exempt from taking the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE), which saves them time and money on board exams.
Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants support Pharmacists by performing administrative tasks, helping customers, preparing medications, and more. Pharmacy Technicians are also responsible for maintaining inventories, dispensing medications, and compounding certain medications.
You might enjoy a career working in a pharmacy if you are…
Thorough. Double and triple checking aren’t extra steps; they’re an essential part of your routine.
Customer-service oriented. You’re comfortable helping people and good at explaining and communicating.
Responsible. You follow protocol, complete your tasks, and get things done in a timely manner.
Doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals would be in disarray without their administrative staff! Medical Office Administrators (MOAs) and Health Unit Clerks (HUCs) ensure that appointments are scheduled, patient interviews are completed, and medical files are kept up to date.
You’d make a great Medical Office Administrator or Health Unit Clerk if you are…
Organized. You believe in “a place for everything, and everything in its place.”
A pro at communication. You’re good at providing clear and concise information and answering questions.
Great with people. You’re comfortable talking to people and helping them out. As an MOA or HUC, you’re often the first face people see when entering a healthcare facility, so it’s important to have a friendly and approachable demeanour.
Our accredited Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk (MOAHUC) program teaches students the administrative responsibilities of an MOA and the specialized duties of HUCs, such as managing patient care plans. Through a thorough curriculum and a hands-on practicum, our students graduate with the skills and experience needed for this important role.
Launch Your Career with Sprott Shaw College
Have questions or ready to take the next step? Whether you need assistance exploring your options or you’re ready to start working towards your healthcare career, our Admissions Advisors are here to help. They can tell you more about our programs and potential career paths, go over admission requirements and funding options, and guide you through the enrollment process. Click the button below to complete a contact form and an advisor will get back to you soon!
Disclaimer: Information contained in blog posts (including program offerings, program details,
career information, and more) is subject to change. For the latest up-to-date information, contact an admissions advisor or visit our program
pages.
