Study healthcare in Canada.

There are many reasons why people choose Canada as a destination: it is a peaceful country with a stable political system; it has a clean natural environment; its people are friendly and polite; and, most importantly, education and healthcare in Canada receive significant investment from the government.  

If you're planning to pursue a healthcare-related field of study, Canada deserves to be on your list of options. 

Understanding Canadian healthcare 

Canada is considered a country with a good healthcare policy for all citizens. In this country, you won't find hospitals reserved for the wealthy, leaders, or the prime minister, because regardless of income level, everyone has access to the same health insurance. 

Health insurance in Canada is administered by each province and territory. Depending on the province or territory, the health insurance program may have a different name. 

In Ontario, permanent residents and Ontario residents are provided with completely free health insurance called OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Program), which renews every five years.  

With this insurance card, people can receive examinations and treatment from family doctors and specialists, X-rays, blood tests, surgery, hospitalization, childbirth, etc. (excluding prescription medications, dental and eye hygiene, eyeglasses, orthopedic trauma, and physiotherapy). However, there are exceptions that are still covered by the government, such as: as prescribed by a doctor, or for the elderly and those without income.  

In addition to OHIP health insurance, people can have supplemental insurance purchased from the organizations, companies, or factories where they work. Without supplemental insurance, they will have to pay for treatments not covered by OHIP out of pocket.  

For insurance for international students, when purchasing a package... purchase an insurance package (for example, at the school). Niagara College (insurance fees are included in student tuition). You can access healthcare services anywhere in Canada through the following service options: 

* Drugstore or pharmacy: You can come here to buy medicine without seeing a doctor, because pharmacists in Canada are trained to identify the type of illness and help patients find the right medication to treat mild conditions.  

* MobileDOCTOR: You can connect with a doctor from your phone or computer anytime, anywhere, without an appointment, and potentially without having to go to a clinic or hospital. 

* Walk-in clinics: This is where you can go to see a doctor for a direct examination.  

* Hospital: It is a place for serious cases.  

* 911: Call for emergency assistance. 

In addition to the services listed above, some other healthcare services available to Ontario residents, spread throughout the province, include: 

* Family doctor: Canadians are free to choose their own doctor to monitor their health and that of their family members throughout their lives.  

Your family doctor will: 

+ Diagnosing and treating common illnesses and injuries, and being able to refer patients to specialists. 

+ Monitoring and providing support throughout the patient's medical history (such as diabetes or high blood pressure...). 

+ Prescribe medication, have regular health checkups, including routine health screenings and tests (e.g., cancer screenings). 

* Long-term care home (Long-term Care Homes): It is government-funded and intended for people who need care or who are unable to care for themselves.  

* Retirement Homes: Intended for retirees, privately funded. 

* Home Care Services: Government-funded, regulated through Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs ). There are 14 LHIN networks in Ontario, categorized geographically.  

* Telehealth Ontario: It is a secure, free, 24/7 service that patients can call to receive health information or advice.  

* The Ontario Virtual Care Clinic: Connect with doctors via video or audio during the COVID-19 pandemic for common symptoms such as: colds, coughs, flu, fever, allergies, aches and pains, rashes, medication questions, etc. 

With these types of healthcare services, When studying healthcare, students have ample opportunities for internships and employment.  

Job prospects 

The Canadian healthcare system has played a significant role in increasing life expectancy. As the proportion of older adults increases, more personnel and active support from healthcare professionals are needed. 

To meet local, provincial, and national healthcare needs, universities and colleges offer a wide range of medical-related fields of study for students to choose from, including medical doctors (various specialties), nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, emergency room staff, personal support staff, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, geriatrics, and many more. 

This diversity empowers students to be more confident in choosing their fields of study and creates a diverse workforce for the labor market. 

Currently, the number of people requiring medical care exceeds the available workforce in the industry, meaning that Canada will still need a significant number of medical professionals until 2026 to meet the healthcare needs of its population.  

In the region In Niagara , the healthcare sector is among the top three sectors creating the most jobs, and ranks second in terms of the rate of annual workforce growth. 

It's understandable that demand exceeds supply, as immigration will increase, more healthcare workers will reach retirement age, and many will have to work overtime because there are no replacements.  

With the current favorable policies for international students, you can stay and work in Canada for up to 3 years and have the possibility of applying for permanent residency to benefit from government policies. 

However, to study healthcare-related fields, students need perseverance throughout their studies and internships to achieve their goals.  

Working in the healthcare industry is very demanding and requires dedication to the profession. This was most evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, when countless healthcare workers faced the dangers of the disease. They were the hardest working people, directly interacting with patients and constantly needing to be ready for critical situations to save lives.  

Salary 

Despite the hard work, the salaries of those working in the healthcare industry are well-deserved, reflecting the time and effort they invest throughout their education and careers. Here are some sample positions and salary ranges: 

Personal support staff	from $30,245/year (for fresh graduates)   up to $48,797/year (with experience)
Nurse	From $42,166/year (new graduates) to $87,566/year (experienced)
Pharmacist	from $31,466/year (new graduates) to $72,891/year (experienced)
Dental support	From $31,931/year (new graduates) to $58,607/year (experienced)
Support for the dentist's office.	From $33,150/year (new graduates) to $51,217/year (experienced)
Dental hygienist	From $54,600/year (new graduates) to $107,250/year (experienced)
Physiotherapy Assistant	from $29,738/year (new graduates) to $65,403/year (experienced)
Community mental health nurse	From $75,309/year (new graduates) to $91,679/year (experienced)
Palliative care	From $41,396/year (new graduates) to $94,322/year (experienced)

 

 

Healthcare and medicine are among the noblest professions, highly respected and admired in any country. These fields of study are directly related to human health, so the entrance requirements for schools and the professional standards for graduates often have specific criteria that you must meet. Once you work in the healthcare field, you must have a high sense of responsibility because the product in your hands is human life.  

Studying medicine in Canada will give you a wonderful experience, training in an international environment, keeping you updated with advanced knowledge, accessing modern equipment, and living and working in a developed country; moreover, you can work in other countries with a Canadian degree.  

Healthcare and medical fields of study present unique challenges and difficulties, but overcoming them will bring immense happiness and pride. 

As an international student, you have the option to choose from health-related programs offered by the university. Niagara Big Training programs range from Certificates and Diplomas to Postgraduate degrees as follows:  

 ☞ Certificate training program (1 year) This is for those who have an interest and passion for serving public health, in fields such as; 

* Community Pharmacy Assistant 

* Dental Assisting (Levels I and II ) 

Dental Office Administration 

* Personal Health Care ( Personal Support Worker ) (can continue learning) Practical Nursing 

* Pre -health Sciences - Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas 

* Pre- health Sciences - Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees . 

Students who have completed the Pre-Health Science preparatory program will transition. pursue certificate and associate degree programs such as Dental Hygiene and Practical Nursing . Advanced diploma and bachelor's degree programs are entirely possible. However, due to the limited number of places available for international students, you need to be prepared with good transcripts, a high IELTS score, and apply quickly to be considered. 

☞ College-level training program (2 years) This is for those interested in working as an administrative staff member in the healthcare field ( Office Administration - Health Services ) , or as an occupational therapist/physician assistant ( Occupational Therapist Assistant ) or pharmaceutical technician. ( Pharmacy Technician ) 

☞ Postgraduate Training Program (1 year) We offer one-year programs in the following fields: 

* Mental health ( Community Mental Health ) 

* Gerontology ​​ 

* Healthcare management ( Healthcare Leadership and Management ) 

* Palliative care for patients . 

(Article by Niagara College)