Diagnostic Support Worker Applied Certificate Program
NOTE: This program is exclusively available to Indigenous individuals belonging to one of the 23 First Nation communities that Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin supports.
Only applicants who meet the criteria and are sponsored by Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. are eligible to apply for this program. See below for information on how to apply.
RRC Polytech has partnered with Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. to offer the Diagnostic Support Worker (DSW) program, which prepares students to practice diagnostic support skills as knowledgeable, competent and caring health care professionals.
It 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 program is comprised of four groups of micro-credentials courses, with a combined four micro-credentials available to be awarded (as digital badges):
- Academic Foundations (must be completed first)
- ECG
- Phlebotomy
- Radiographic Procedures
Learn more about RRC Polytech micro-credentials >
Program Overview
Methods
The DSW program offers a blend of online, in-class lab and clinical learning experiences.
Learning methods include:
- Online theory – self-directed study/reading, assignments and virtual classroom sessions
- In-person skill labs – at a health centre with instructor oversight
- In-person clinical – at a health centre with instructor / industry oversight
Training
You will:
- Have instruction on the use of RRC Polytech online learning tools
- Do self-directed reading and assignments on your own
- Have scheduled virtual classroom sessions
- Take quizzes and tests online
- Participate in in-person skills lab with an instructor in a health centre
- Complete Clinical courses under supervision at a health centre
- Have access to Indigenous Student Supports and Resources through the RRC Polytech School of Indigenous Education
Work Experience
You may be able to work in a health centre with only two complete micro-credentials: 1) Academic Foundations (required) and 2) ECG, Phlebotomy or Radiographic Procedures. For example, completion of Academic Foundations and all three courses in the ECG micro-credential means you can safely practice ECG for employment. You can only practice micro-credentials that you have completed.
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.
Micro-credential Courses
Academic Foundations
The Academic Foundations micro-credential consists of four courses 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 – learning styles, time management techniques, note taking, study skills and test preparation
Once you have completed these courses, additional groups of micro-credential courses can be taken one, two or all three at a time: ECG, Phlebotomy and Radiographic Procedures. Note that course sections will be offered at specific times.
ECG
Three courses must be completed in sequence to earn this micro-credential:
- Theory – learn anatomy and how the heart works and why ECG is used; pass required on theory assignments and quizzes
- Lab – spend time in a lab setting practicing ECG; demonstration of competence in psychomotor skills required for ECG
- Clinical – practice ECG skills on real patients; demonstration of continued competence in the clinical environment
Phlebotomy
Three courses 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
Radiographic Procedures
Three courses 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
Credentials
Students will earn a micro-credential in the form of a shareable digital badge for successfully completing each of the ECG, Phlebotomy and Radiographic Procedures groups of micro-credential courses, as well as the DSW Applied Certificate for successfully completing all four.
Program Schedule and Key Dates
| Overview | Dates | Courses |
| Student Assessment and Recruitment | August – December 2023 | N/A |
| Term 1 – 15 Weeks, Online Delivery | January – April 2024 | Professional Practice and Communication, Academic Foundations, Anatomy & Medical Terminology |
| Term 2 – 15 Weeks, Online Delivery | May – August 2024 | Safety in Health Care, Phlebotomy Theory, ECG Theory, Radiographic Tech Theory |
| Program Break | September – October 2024 | N/A |
| Skill Labs, 2 Weeks (Location TBD) | November 2024 | Phlebotomy Lab, ECG Lab, Radiographic Tech Lab |
| Clinical, 14 Weeks (Location TBD) | November – February 2024 | Phlebotomy Clinical, ECG Clinical, Radiographic Tech Clinical |
| Program Graduation | March 2024 | N/A |
Apply
NOTE: This program is exclusively available to Indigenous individuals belonging to one of the 23 First Nation communities that Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin supports.
Only applicants who meet the above criteria and are sponsored by Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. are eligible to apply for this program.
Have a question or ready to apply to the program while seats are still available?
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, 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.