A diverse array of career opportunities can be found within theHealth and Wellness sector. Locally, job prospects exist in fields ranging from health care to fitness and health promotion, to child care and family services. Graduates of the Specialist High Skills Major Program in Health and Wellness possess the knowledge and skills to pursue any number of these opportunities.
The Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Program provides students with the opportunity to specialize their academic studies, earn certifications and qualifications, and plan their career pathway while they are still in high school. The SHSM Program involves a number of components that provide students with a better understanding of the Health and Wellness industry, the opportunities that it offers, and the skills needed for success within the sector.
The Health and Wellness SHSM Program consists of five required components:
1. Bundled Credits
Students will complete nine Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits related to their sector of interest, some of which are supplemented with contextualized learning activities (CLA) that frame the subject of study within the context of the Health and Welness sector.
Major Credits Including at least one Grade 11 and one Grade 12 credit | 4 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 4 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 4 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 4 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit |
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English (Including a CLA) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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Mathematics (Including a CLA) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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Science or Social Science (Including a CLA) | 1 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 1 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 1 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit | 1 One credit may be substituted with an additional co-operative education credit |
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Co-Operative Education | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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2. Certification and TrainingStudents will earn both compulsory and elective sector-recognized certifications through cost-free workshops and training courses/programs.
Four Compulsory Certifications |
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C – Includes AED | Infection Control | Standard First Aid | Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – Generic |
Three Elective Certifications |
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Advanced Training in a Technique | Allergy Awareness | Ambulation, Lifting and Transfers | Animal First Aid |
Babysitting | Behaviour Management | Child Safety and Injury Prevention | Coaching / Personal Trainer |
Communication Skills | Conflict Resolution | Customer Service | Ethical Considerations |
Fire Extinguisher Use | Fitness | Group Dynamics | Lab Practices |
Leadership Skills | Marine and Wilderness First Aid | Medical Terminology | Non-Violent Crisis Intervention |
Personality Inventory | Safe Body Mechanics | Safe Food Handling – Basic | Sign Language |
Specialized Care | Sterile Techniques | Stress Management Techniques | SafeTALK |
Waste Management | Wrapping and Taping for Sports | | |
3. Career Exploration
Students will explore opportunities in their chosen sector through experiential learning and career exploration activities (field trips, guest speaking engagements, job shadowing).
4. Reach Ahead Experiences
Students will participate in experiences aligned with the student’s post-secondary plans.
5. Sector-Partnered Experience
Students will complete a sector-partnered contextualized learning experience.
SHSM Program Recognition
Students who successfully complete a SHSM program receive:
- An OSSD designated with an embossed red seal;
- A SHSM record documenting their certification/training achievements;
- Formal recognition on their Ontario School Transcript.
Career Pathways
The Health and Wellness SHSM Program may be right for you if you are interested in careers similar to the following:
Child and Youth Worker Early Childhood Educator Educational Assistant | Community and Social Services Worker Dental Assistant / Hygienist Medical Laboratory Technician Pharmacy Technician Physical / Occupational Therapy Assistant Practical Nurse Primary Care Paramedic Registered Massage Therapist Respiratory Therapist |
University | Workplace |
Audiologist or Speech Language Pathologist Chiropractor Counsellor Dentist Dietitian Medical Sonographer Midwife Optometrist Pharmacist Registered Nurse Sports Therapist | Blood Donor Clinic Assistant Certified Personal Trainer Fitness Instructor Hospital Admitting Clerk Lifeguard Medical Office Receptionist Recreation Program Leader |
Please see your school guidance counsellor for more information.