5 specializations in demand in the healthcare sector

Even though thousands of jobs have been lost due to COVID-19, the health crisis is bringing its share of challenges for the health sector, where staff shortages continue hit hard. Here are some sought-after specialities and the training required to access them.

Beneficiary attendant

It is no coincidence that the Quebec government last spring launched an accelerated 12-week training course to become a CHSLD attendant. The health crisis is exacerbating the shortage in the field, which has persisted for years. A second cohort began training at the end of September. To work with vulnerable people while contributing to the health care effort, the traditional route across Canada consists of completing professional or technical training lasting a few hundred hours, generally including a practical internship. Attendants can expect to earn an average wage of $20 an hour.

Home help worker

The COVID-19 crisis has also created a labour shortage among home help workers. Yet their work with the elderly and disabled is more than necessary. Training for this profession is simple. All you need to do is learn the essential skills (preparing meals, shopping, etc.), often through a workplace apprenticeship program. Positions currently available allow us to expect an average hourly wage of around $15.

Pharmacy technical assistant

In times of health crisis, pharmacists are busy. Would you like to help them with their duties, such as preparing prescriptions and providing customer service, for an average salary of about $18 an hour? The job of pharmacy technical assistant could be a wise career choice. In order to access it, a vocational or technical studies diploma is required.

Computer scientist

The pandemic has disrupted the health system, including forcing the rapid adoption of telemedicine. As a result, there is no shortage of positions for computer programmers and developers. To take advantage of this windfall (and an estimated average salary of $36 to $43 an hour across Canada), you must first obtain relevant training in programming, such as an undergraduate degree in computer science, or even in computer engineering. 

Nurse

The desperate (and chronic) need for qualified nurses cannot be ignored. Especially since many of them are resigning, completely exhausted by the situation… Those who hear the call of the profession can complete college or university training in nursing, which will earn them an average hourly wage of $37.60.