COVID-19 Vaccine Administration

Red River College has launched a new micro-credential course to train professionals to properly administer the COVID-19 vaccine and help immunize Manitobans.

The eight-hour, tuition-free course, consisting of online theory and an in-person lab, runs throughout the fall and winter and will train qualified individuals to administer the vaccine and create immediate employment opportunities for Manitobans.

Course Information

This micro-credential focuses on COVID-19 vaccine administration. Vaccine administration is an important part of preventing the spread and reducing the impact of COVID-19 and assists with the pandemic response. Students will become familiar with safe COVID-19 vaccine procedures through a review of the COVID-19 virus, its causative agent, immunization, related anatomy and best practices when vaccinating clients.

The course is being offered to meet the immediate need of hiring trained individuals to assist in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, playing an important part in the outbreak response. It will ensure that professionals hired to administer the COVID-19 vaccine have the opportunity to upgrade or extend their skills.

The course consists of five hours of self-paced online theory, followed by a quiz (with a passing score of 80%) and three hours of an in-person skills lab held at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg and Assiniboine Community College in Brandon to demonstrate competency in performing the skills required. Skills lab dates will be assigned.

Sections are currently offered in Winnipeg and Brandon. Future sections will be offered in various locations across Manitoba.

Student Learning and Modules

Eligibility

The course will be available to:

• Professions that can currently administer the COVID-19 vaccine under their scope of practice but may choose to take the RRC micro-credential course:
  • physicians,
  • physician assistants,
  • clinical assistants,
  • nurse practitioners,
  • registered nurses,
  • registered psychiatric nurses,
  • licensed practical nurses, and
  • paramedics.
• Professions that can administer the COVID-19 vaccine under certain conditions, based on the Regulated Health Professions Act (vaccination administration):
  • pharmacists,
  • midwives,
  • dentists,
  • NEW! dental hygienists,
  • physiotherapists,
  • NEW! athletic therapists,
  • NEW! massage therapists,
  • NEW! chiropractors,
  • medical lab technologists,
  • veterinarians,
  • veterinary technologists,
  • respiratory therapists,
  • occupational therapists,
  • NEW! optometrists,
  • paramedicine students registered in an approved paramedic education program who have completed the injection portion of the program,
  • students in at least their second year of:
    • medicine,
    • licensed practical nursing,
    • psychiatric nursing,
    • registered nursing,
    • dentistry (who have completed the injection portion of the program),
    • medical laboratory technology,
    • occupational therapy,
    • pharmacy,
    • physiotherapy,
  • respiratory therapy students in at least their third year (who have completed the injection portion of the program),
  • former health care workers, including those who may no longer be registered with their professional college, and
  • individuals qualified to practice medicine, licensed practical nursing, psychiatric nursing or registered nursing in another jurisdiction outside Manitoba or outside Canada.

See the Shared Health Manitoba website for a full eligibility list by job title.

Admission Requirements

Only individuals who have been hired as a COVID Immunization Clinic – Immunization Provider by Shared Health Manitoba are eligible for enrollment in this course.

A computer or other electronic device with Internet access is required.

English Language Assessment

English as an additional language applicants must meet the following English language requirements. Proof of the completed English Language Assessment is not required.

Communication skills are critical for success in the health-care field. You will be assessed/graded on your communication skills during the lab portion of this course. Your ability to communicate clearly will impact your success in this course.

Employment

The course is being offered tuition-free with a commitment to provide service in vaccination clinics following completion.

Currently, there are job postings for clinic managers, immunization clinical leaders, immunization team members, clinic navigators and post-immunization observation team members.

As more vaccine arrives in the province, the number of jobs available are also expected to increase.

Every precaution will be taken to help protect Manitobans who choose to work in vaccination clinics, including appropriate personal protective equipment and a safe work environment.

For more information about employment opportunities in Manitoba’s vaccine clinics, along with direct links to posting of available jobs, visit the Shared Health Manitoba website and look for the section titled Immunization Clinics.

Schedules

The section schedules are as follows:

Winnipeg

Feb. 12 Section

Feb. 19 Section

The five-hour theory component is delivered online by RRC and the three-hour lab component is delivered in person by RRC (in Winnipeg) and Assiniboine Community College (in Brandon).

Apply

Interested individuals must apply to the COVID-19 Casual Pool. Look for the section titled Immunization Clinics.
Check Availability With Shared Health Manitoba

Additional Information

Questions about the course can be directed to Red River College by calling 204.694.1789 or emailing cde@rrc.ca.