Diagnostic Support Worker Applied Certificate Program

NOTE: This program is only available to select applicants that are sponsored by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. See all RRC Health Sciences programs ›

The Red River College Diagnostic Support Worker (DSW) program prepares students to practice diagnostic support skills as knowledgeable, competent and caring health care professionals.The DSW program is an applied certificate program designed to enhance the accessibility to health care services for remote communities. Focused in community, students are provided with the opportunity to learn and practice clinical skills close to home.

The DSW program offers a blend of online, in-class lab and clinical learning experiences.

You may be interested in a career as a Diagnostic Support Worker if you:

Would like to work in a medical environment
Enjoy learning about science
Enjoy helping people
Don’t mind seeing blood, body fluids or needles
Have good physical capabilities:
- use of both hands
- able to help patients move (lift 50lbs)
- able to stand on your feet for long periods

Learning Outcomes

Micro-credentials

You will study four major topics, with each represented by its own micro-credential:

Academic Foundations (must be completed first)
EKG
Phlebotomy
Radiographic Procedures

Methods

Learning methods include:

Online theory – reading, assignments and online class time
In-person labs – at a hospital or nursing station
In-person clinical – at a hospital or nursing station

Training

You will:

Be shown how to use the Red River College online learning tools
Do some reading and assignments on your own
Have some scheduled online classes
Have quizzes and tests online
Participate in labs with an instructor in a hospital or nursing station
Complete clinical courses under supervision at a hospital or nursing station

NOTE: Depending on your home community, you may need to relocate – 1-2 weeks for labs and either 1-2 weeks or 2-3 months for clinical.

Work Experience

You may be able to work in a nursing station with only one complete micro-credential – EKG, Phlebotomy or Radiographic Procedures. For example, completion of all three modules in the EKG micro-credential means you can safely practice EKG for employment. You can only practice micro-credentials that you have completed.

Micro-credentials

Academic Foundations Micro-credential

Academic Foundations micro-credential consists of four modules to give you information that is important to learn before the other specific micro-credentials.

Anatomy and Medical Terminology – important body parts and medical terms
Safety in Health Care – safety skills for DSW and their patients
Professional Practice and Communication – how to communicate in health care, including patients, charts and reports
Academic Foundations – refresh of study skills, computer use and basic math used in health care

This micro-credential is offered from September through the end of November 2020.

Once you have completed Academic Foundations, additional micro-credentials can be taken one, two or all three at a time: EKG, Phlebotomy and Radiographic Procedures. Note that micro-credentials will offered at specific times.

EKG Micro-credential

Three modules must be completed in sequence to earn this micro-credential:

Theory – learn anatomy and how the heart works and why EKG is used; pass required on theory assignments and quizzes
Lab – spend time in a lab setting practicing EKG; demonstration of competence in psychomotor skills required for EKG
Clinical – practice EKG skills on real patients; demonstration of continued competence in the clinical environment

This micro-credential is offered from January through August 2021. Theory runs January through March, labs run April through May and clinical runs May through August.

Phlebotomy Micro-credential

Three modules must be completed in sequence to earn this micro-credential:

Theory – learn anatomy and skills for phlebotomy
Lab – spend time in a lab practicing phlebotomy
Clinical – practice phlebotomy skills on real patients

This micro-credential is offered from January through August 2021. Theory runs January through March, labs run April through May and clinical runs May through August.

Radiographic Procedures Micro-credential

Three modules must be completed in sequence to earn this micro-credential:

Theory – learn anatomy and skills to take x-rays
Lab – spend time in a lab practicing taking different x-rays
Clinical – practice taking x-rays on real patients

This micro-credential is offered from January through August 2021. Theory runs January through March, labs run April through May and clinical runs May through August.

Certificate

After completing all of the modules within each of the EKG, Phlebotomy and Radiographic Procedures micro-credentials, you will graduate with a Diagnostic Support Worker Applied Certificate.

Apply

Have a question or ready to apply to the program while seats are still available?

Call 204.632.2955 or fill out the form below.

Health Sciences

Diagnostic Support Worker Applied Certificate Program

Learning Outcomes

Micro-credentials

Methods

Training

Work Experience

Micro-credentials

Academic Foundations Micro-credential

EKG Micro-credential

Phlebotomy Micro-credential

Radiographic Procedures Micro-credential

Certificate

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