A nursing student in blue scrubs leans over a patient lying in a hospital bed in a clinical simulation room.

Program Explorer

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Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker

This program was previously offered by the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) and will now be delivered by RRC Polytech starting in the Fall 2026 term. If you have already applied to this program through the MITT application portal for Fall 2026, you do not need to reapply to RRC Polytech.

Make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through compassionate care.

Gain the skills to support patients with confidence in a rewarding health-care career.

Make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through compassionate, patient-centred care. The Health Care Aide and Personal Support Worker program prepares you to support individuals with diverse and complex needs in a variety of care settings.

Through hands-on training, you’ll build a strong foundation in human health, communication and caregiving techniques. You’ll develop the skills to assist with daily living activities, support patient well-being and work effectively as part of a health care team.

By the end of the program, you’ll be ready to step into a rewarding career with the confidence to provide safe, respectful and responsive care.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Certificate
  • Program Delivery
    In-person
  • In-person Location
    South Winnipeg Campus
  • Intakes
    Fall and Winter
  • Program Length
    1 year
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    General entry
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • International Program
    Open to students from around the globe

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

Progress through hands-on training that builds foundational knowledge in health care before advancing into complex care skills and real-world application.

TERM 1

Build foundational knowledge in health care systems, communication and human health while developing essential patient support skills.

TERM 2

Apply your foundational skills in a real-world setting, gaining hands-on experience supporting patient care and health care operations.

TERM 3

Build on your experience in a practical environment, strengthening your clinical and administrative skills while working with health care teams.

TERM 4

Integrate your full skill set in a real-world setting, preparing you to transition confidently into professional health care roles.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Health care aide
  • Personal support worker
  • Health care support worker
  • Patient care aide
student interacting with a patient in a simulated hospital enviroment

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Two health care students in scrubs — one male on the left, one female on the right — assist a fellow student playing the role of a patient lying in a hospital simulation bed, practicing a repositioning or personal care technique.
Our comprehensive training covers anatomy, physiology, human health conditions and disease states.
A male student in blue scrubs and gloves kneels beside a patient care aid stand holding a drainage bag, while a female instructor in a white lab coat supervises and guides him in a healthcare simulation lab.
Develop specialized skills in communication, patient care and assisting with complex care needs.
A female health care student wearing a RRC Polytech name tag sits beside an elderly male patient in a hospital bed, engaging him in a caring and attentive conversation, with a tray table and documents between them.
Focus on patient rights, social determinants of health and culturally appropriate practices.
Four female students sit in a row at desks working on laptops and taking notes in a bright classroom setting, with hand sanitizer and course materials visible on the desktops.
Develop industry-standard software application skills for healthcare professionals.

Graduate Success

Graduate with the skills to provide compassionate, patient-centred care in a variety of settings. You’ll be prepared to support individuals with diverse needs, communicate effectively with care teams and begin a meaningful career in health care.

Two female health care students in scrubs — one in blue, one in pink — steady a classmate suspended in a full-body mechanical patient lift sling, practicing safe transfer techniques in a clinical simulation space.

Deliver compassionate, patient-centred care

Build a strong foundation in anatomy, health conditions and patient support while developing the empathy and communication skills essential to quality care. You’ll be prepared to support individuals with diverse and complex needs.

Learn by doing in real care settings

Apply your knowledge through practical training in long-term and acute care environments. You’ll gain valuable experience working alongside health care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team.

A female instructor in a white shirt leans over to guide a female student in pink scrubs and blue gloves as she practices a wound care or dressing procedure on a simulated training arm, beside a hospital bed in a skills lab.
A female student in a black long-sleeve shirt carefully folds or unfolds a bed sheet over a hospital simulation bed during a bed-making skills practice, with another student visible working in the background.

Step confidently into the workforce

Graduate with an industry-recognized certification and practical experience that employers value. From patient care aide to support worker roles, you’ll be ready to begin a fulfilling career in health care.

“My experience at RRC Polytech really was a catalyst for my success today in so many ways. It was honestly one of the best times of my life – both fun and challenging and prepared me for where I am today.”

Amanda Buhse – Founder and CEO
Coal and Canary

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

This program is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, patient and motivated to help others. If you’re interested in health care and want to build practical skills in a supportive, hands-on environment, you’ll be well suited to this field.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Empathetic
  • Patient
  • Team-oriented
  • Detail-oriented
  • Level-headed

SKILLS

  • Communication
  • Listening
  • Collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Dependability

INTERESTS

  • Patient care
  • Community support
  • Wellness
  • Human health
  • Caregiving
  • Social services
  • Personal support
  • Aging populations
  • Ethical care

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

Woman standing on stairs holding certificate

SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

Students outside in a courtyard

LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Contact Us

Get in touch with us today to learn more about this and other programs, receive personalized guidance and discover your best path forward.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.