Program Overview

Massage Therapy is a rapidly growing field and recognized as an essential part of health care and overall wellness. Massage Therapists are needed all throughout Alberta. Our massage Therapy program prepares students for employment opportunities in private clinics, chiropractor offices, athletic therapy clinics and more.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating from this program may choose to become entrepreneurs by opening their own massage clinic or may seek career opportunities in physiotherapy clinics, health spas, chiropractic practices, sports injury clinics, fitness centers, wellness centers.

Hospitals
Private Clinics
Rehabilitation Centres
Spas
Resorts
Salons
Multidisciplinary Environments

Courses

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission Prerequisites

Alberta High School Diploma, verified by transcript OR

• A secondary school graduation diploma from another Canadian province or territory OR

• Successful completion of the General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) OR

• A transcript, diploma or certificate from another country, assessed at an Alberta recognized assessment service OR

English grade 12 or equivalent.

Recommended one Science credit.

Satisfactory interview with the school advisor.

Mature Admission Prerequisites

• Mature Student Status (Minimum 18 years of age upon commencement)

• Academic achievement test to demonstrate required competency:

• CAAT (Canadian Adult Achievement Test), OR

TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) OR

CAST (Canadian Achievement Survey Test for Adults) OR

Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination OR

Accuplacer Test

Satisfactory interview with the school advisor.

Language Skills

Advanced Massage Therapy diploma program courses at MTG Healthcare Academy are primarily taught in Canadian English. To qualify for admission, learners must demonstrate their language proficiency, typically through their high school or college/university transcripts, or through a test of English language proficiency:

English Test/Program Minimum Required Score

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in each strand

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index 7 general, with no section 

Program (CELPIP) score below 6.0

International English Language Testing System 6.0 overall, with no section score 

(IELTS) Academic below 5.5

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 71

Duolingo Language Test 95

OR: three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a Canadian high school where the primary language of instruction was English.

OR: two (2) years full-time study at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where the primary language of instruction was English.

OR:  three (3) years full-time study at the college level in a country where the medium of instruction is English.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start. 

NOTE:  Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or placement.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once accepted into the program, and prior to participating in the on-campus and clinical (off campus) outreach students must have satisfied the following additional requirements:

Complete immunization record including flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine.

Up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check.

Students are responsible for any fees associated with achieving the above requirements.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Advanced Massage Therapy diploma program does not engage in any form of enrollment discrimination including (but not limited to) race, gender, religion, nationality, age, disability, and sexual orientation. 

Physical Abilities and Characteristics

Massage therapists spend much of the workday on their feet. They use their hands, arms, backs and legs to exert force and perform repetitive motions. Therefore, they must possess the stamina to withstand fatigue and to endure muscular activity. Massage therapists also need manual dexterity, a steady hand and the ability to coordinate activities involving more than one limb, such as both arms or both hands.

Workplace Skills – Employability Skills Profile

Graduates of the program must have the minimal skills, essential functions, and knowledge to function in a broad variety of clinical settings, along with the Conference Board of Canada’s Employability Skills.  

http://www.conferenceboard.ca/spse/employability-skills.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Workshop Overview

The workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) was designed to ensure the safety of employers and employees while at the workplace. in particular, the system was designed to keep workers and employers informed of the dangers and Hazards associated with chemicals and substances that they may come in contact with while on the job.

The key elements of WHMIS and WHMIS training are labelling of containers, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and worker education / training programs.

This is a national program and basic requirements are the same across Canada. However, individual provinces and territories may also have introduced minor changes while integrating WHMIS with their occupational health and safety regulatory regimen.

This link will give you more information about WHMIS:http://www.worksitesafety.ca

Workshop Overview

This is a comprehensive workshop on First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills to gain knowledge and training to respond to emergencies. The workshop offers life saving First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills for the workplace or home. This training meets legislation requirements for provincial / territorial worker safety and insurance boards and includes the latest first aid and cardiopulmonary guidelines.

For more information, please visit https://www.redcross.ca

Workshop Overview

The Supportive Pathways program was developed by Carewest to meet the specific needs of residents living with dementia in long term care. This hands-on practical training program for health care staff is accessible, sustainable, and outlines a behavioral management approach that can be easily implemented. Carewest has received requests for this program from across the country and as far away as China. Community colleges in Alberta will be teaching this program which is being enhanced for other health care. Certificates will be issued to each participant from the Covenant Main Office in Calgary.

Visit this link for more information on supportive pathways: http://carewest.ca/supportive-pathways-materials/

Workshop Overview

The Provincial Continuing Care Medication Assistance Program (MAP) assists continuing care clients to maintain their independence and optimal level of functioning by supporting them in managing their day-to-day medication needs. Through MAP competent Health Care Aides (HCAs) are assigned medication assistance tasks and activities. MAP is one of a range of available service options that support individuals to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

The goals of MAP are to support safe medication management, reduce stress on client and/or family, and maintain or improve client health.

Visit this link for more information about MAP: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/cc/Page15493.aspx

Program Purpose

This program is a Designated Learning Program and eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.

Medical Office Assistant/Unit Clerk/Medical Transcriptionist works with doctor’s offices, hospitals, medical or surgical clinics, pharmaceutical companies, government health agencies and a variety of other medical office settings.

They are integral members of the health care delivery team and perform many administrative and some basic clinical procedures.  The Medical Office Assistant/Unit Clerk/Medical Transcriptionist primary duties may require them to –

• collaborate with all members of the health care team;
• promote safety, work in a safe manner, practice universal precautions and maintain a clean working environment;
• schedule and confirm medical/surgical appointments, receive and communicate messages for doctors and patients;
• type medical records, reports, case history and correspondence from handwritten notes and machine dictation;
• interview patients to complete forms, documents and case histories;
• complete insurance and other job claim forms;
• initiate and maintain confidential medical files and records;
• prepare financial statements and handle billing procedures;
• plan and initiate procedural set up including those required for patient preparation and maintenance of supplies and equipment;
• assist with simple diagnostic procedures as required; and,
• perform other general office work as required.

Program Outline

 

COURSE TITLE	HOURS REQUIRED	CREDITS
1.       Duties and Responsibilities of Medical Office Assistant, Health Unit Clerk and Medical Transcriptionist	30	2
2.       Human Anatomy and Physiology	90	6
3.       Medical Terminology	60	4
4.       Medical Documentation	50	3
5.       Admission/Discharge/Transfer	20	1
6.       Scheduling and Medical Billing	80	5
7.       Medical Transcription	80	5
8.       Hospital and Medical Office Skills and Procedures	40	2.5
9.       Basic Office Computer Skills	40	2.5
10.   Medical Laboratory	60	4
11.   Clinical Practicum (Medical Office/Clinic & Hospital Unit)	320	10
TOTAL	870	45

 

Program Admission Criteria

• Grade 11 – English Language Arts, or
• IELTS – Level 6, or
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 95, and
• High school or Post-Secondary Transcripts with official translations if not in English.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Medical Office Assistant program can find employment in general/family practices, dental offices, medical specialists’ offices, clinics, chiropractor/physiotherapy / podiatrist practices, diagnostic imaging clinics, senior/nursing homes and various hospital department. Medical Office Assistants are an important part of the health care system delivering administrative and basic clinical services. Relevant positions include:

• Medical/Dental Receptionist
• Medical/Health Office Assistant
• Medical/Health Office Manager
• Dental Office Assistant
• Medical Transcriptionist
• Hospital Patient Registration Clerk
• Ward Clerk
• Medical Billing Clerk / Secretary
• Administrator in Government Health Agencies

Medical Office Assistants

According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average $24.00 to $29.88 an hour. The overall average was $27.92 an hour.

Average Hours Worked (per week)	36.6
Overall Average Wage (per hour)	$27.92
Overall Average Salary (annual)*, Alberta *rounded to the nearest dollar	$57,763

Program Purpose

This program is a Designated Learning Program and eligible to receive foreign nationals on a study permit.

The Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum will prepare students to work in varied care settings.  The students will acquire knowledge and expertise to assist in meeting the individual needs while preserving the client’s independence.

The Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum demonstrates its concepts as follows:

• Each client is unique and is treated with dignity and respect based on their individuality, beliefs and diversity;
• By following legal guidelines and agency policies and procedures, the program endorses safe, proficient and quality care of all persons in care;
• By promoting wellness, by focusing on each client’s individual capabilities and by supporting clients to function at their personal optimal level, the curriculum assists in preserving a client’s independence;
• A positive attitude and effective communication with supervisors, co-workers, clients and families contribute to quality care.

 

Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum

COURSE OUTLINE SUMMARY 

COURSE NUMBER	COURSE TITLE	CURRENT TOTAL HOURS	CURRENT CREDITS
1	Health Care Aide Role and Responsibility	45	3
2	The Human Body, Health, and Chronic Illness	45	3
3	Communication and Documentation in the Health Care Environment	60	4
4	Providing Person-Centered Care and Comfort	75	5
5	HCA Clinical Placement I (Instructor Led)	80	3
6	Meeting Complex Care Needs	75	5
7	Special Activities for Clients with Various Health Conditions	75	5
8	HCA Clinical Placement Experience II (Instructor – Led)	160	5
9	HCA Consolidated Placement Experience	80	3

Program Admission Criteria

• Grade 11 – English Language Arts, or
• IELTS – Level 6, or
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 95, and
• High school or Post-Secondary Transcripts with official translations if not in English.

AHCA – Prior Learning and Recognition (PLAR) Process

• Record of number of work hours for the last three years totaling at least 600 hours as a Health Care Aide of Personal Care Provider,
• Transfer Credits,
• Challenge courses, and
• English Language Proficiency

 

Transfer Credits

As provided by the Ministry of Health new policies and program of standards for the HCA Program transfer credits and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, MTG Healthcare Academy will allow transfer credit on a course by course basis from other post-secondary institutions offering the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum. Only up to fifty percent of course credits or hours can be transferred from another post-secondary institution to MTG Healthcare Aide Academy.

Graduation Requirements

Health Care Aide students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70% in each course and pass the Provincial health Care Aide Examination to graduate from the HCA program and receive the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum Certificate.

Students who have an unsettled financial obligation to MTG Healthcare Academy at the point of program completion will not be allowed to graduate nor join the Convocation. All graduating students are invited to attend the Commencement Exercises. However, as venue capacity if limited, each graduating student is allowed only four (4) guests to join the program.

MTG Healthcare Academy holds Graduation Ceremony of each year in the months of

• August for Edmonton Campus
• September for Red Deer Campus, and
• October for Calgary Main Campus

Post Graduate Work Permit Program

Students are not eligible for Post Graduate Work Permit if they have completed a course or program of study at a Private Career College. Visit this website for further information:
http://canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work.html

This program is not designated and ineligible to receive foreign national on a study permit.