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Healthcare careers in Canada are in high demand, and many roles don’t require a university degree. With an aging population and ongoing workforce shortages, thousands of jobs are opening up in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and private healthcare settings.
If you want to start a stable, meaningful career quickly, here’s how to enter the healthcare field without a four-year degree – and which jobs offer the best opportunities:
Why Choose a Healthcare Career?
Healthcare in Canada is expanding rapidly due to an aging population, rising demand for medical services, and ongoing staff shortages across hospitals and clinics. With nearly 1 in 5 job openings in Canada being in healthcare, many positions offer long-term security and room for growth.
As demand increases, patient support workers and medical administrative professionals have become some of the most sought-after roles. With a projected employment increase of 10% by 2030, healthcare careers provide strong opportunities for those looking to enter the field quickly.
Can You Work in Healthcare Without a Degree?
While it’s often assumed that all healthcare jobs require a university degree, that’s not true. There are many positions, from medical office assistants to personal care workers, where you can be fully qualified with a diploma that can be earned in under a year.
For example, the Medical Administrative Assistant diploma program at SBC College prepares you for roles in patient record management, scheduling, and medical billing in under a year. Similarly, the Personal Care Aide diploma program provides hands-on training in 10 months and equips you with the skills needed to provide direct patient support in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.
Fastest Healthcare Jobs to Start in Under a Year (Entry Level Options)
For those looking to enter healthcare quickly, some roles require minimal training and are in-demand across Canada.
Medical Administrative Assistant
Medical administrative assistants play a critical role in keeping healthcare facilities running efficiently. They handle administrative tasks, schedule appointments, and manage medical records, making sure that doctors and nurses can focus on patient care.
With the rising demand for healthcare services, medical offices, hospitals, and specialist clinics need well-trained staff who can manage front-office operations effectively. This role offers job stability, competitive salaries, and opportunities for advancement into healthcare administration.
Hospital Unit Clerk
Hospital unit clerks are essential in managing the day-to-day operations of hospital departments. They coordinate communication between medical teams, process orders from physicians, and organize patient records.
Given the increasing complexity of healthcare services, hospitals rely on skilled unit clerks to help with operations. This role offers steady employment, a structured work environment, and pathways into healthcare administration or supervisory roles.
Personal Care Aide
Personal care aides provide essential care to individuals who need assistance with daily activities, whether in long-term care homes, hospitals, or home healthcare settings. Canada’s aging population has created a high demand for personal care aides, making this one of the most secure and rewarding career paths in healthcare.
Working in this role would allow you to benefit from flexible work settings, strong employment demand, and meaningful patient interactions that make a direct impact on people’s lives.
Home Support Worker
Home support workers assist clients in their own homes, helping with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. As more seniors and individuals with disabilities choose to receive care at home rather than in institutional settings, this role has seen a steady increase in demand nationwide. Working as a Home Support Worker provides job flexibility, personal fulfillment, and the ability to build long-term client relationships.
How to Get Healthcare Training
The best way to enter the healthcare field quickly and gain practical experience is through a career-focused diploma program that offers a practicum and hands-on training. Diploma programs are designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare settings by teaching industry-relevant skills and direct pathways into employment.
Benefits of Healthcare Diploma Programs:
- Job-Ready Skills: Diploma programs focus on practical training, so you’ll develop the skills employers look for in entry-level healthcare professionals
- Practicums: many programs, like those from SBC College, can include on-site training in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities to help you gain real-world experience before graduating
- Fast Entry into the Workforce: With the typical program duration being around 40 weeks (10 months), being a graduate of a healthcare diploma program means you can start working in the health sector quickly
- Strong Employment Demand: Career-focused healthcare diploma programs are specifically aimed to provide skilled workers in areas of the healthcare sector where they are in high demand, meaning more job stability for graduates
Healthcare diploma programs offer flexible learning schedules, online classes and financial assistance, so you can study on your own schedule, at your own pace, and within your own budget. Choosing the right diploma program that aligns with your interests in healthcare and your career goals means you’ll gain the right skills, training, and connections to start your career.
FAQs About Starting a Healthcare Career
What is the easiest healthcare career to start?
Entry-level healthcare roles in patient support and administration have shorter training periods and high job demand. You can be fully trained, skilled, and in your new role in less than a year.
What healthcare jobs are in high demand?
The most in-demand healthcare roles across Canada include personal care aides, medical administrative assistants, clinical assistants, and home support workers, particularly in provinces with larger aging populations like Ontario and British Columbia.
Can I work in a hospital without a degree?
Yes. Patient support workers, medical administrative staff, and medical office assistants work in hospitals without requiring a university degree. These positions often require a diploma.
How much do entry-level healthcare jobs pay?
Salaries can vary by role and location, but typical entry-level healthcare roles can earn an average of $55,000 per year.
Ready to start your career in healthcare? SBC College offers government-approved healthcare-focused diploma programs designed to get you job ready fast. Our industry-experienced instructors and hands-on training prepare you for in-demand roles in hospitals, clinics, and more. Contact SBC College today to learn how we can help you take the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career!
