Graduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion

at Centennial College - Morningside Campus Canada

Centennial College's Biotechnology program will prepare you to work as a laboratory technician (in quality control and quality assurance) in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Biotechnology courses will provide practical application in industrial microbiology as well as chemistry (analytical), organic chemistry and biochemistry. Laboratory techniques, including appropriate safety procedures, will be extensively highlighted.

A special feature of this applied science program is its project-based approach, with independently-designed microbiology projects that will enhance your problem-solving and research skills.

You'll learn to:

• Isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms from many types of samples (water, soil, air, the body, food, and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products);
• Prepare specimens for staining and become an expert light-microscopist;
• Become proficient in aseptic handling of materials;
• Accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, gas chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV) and HPLCs;
• Prepare microbiological media and reagents and culture pathogenic microbes;
• Design and perform your own microbiology experiments;
• Use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical products.

You may graduate in two years as a biotechnician or continue into a third year to study specialized topics such as advanced biotechnology and microbial genetics or systematic microbiology. With the third year of study, you'll graduate from the Biotechnology – Advanced offering.

Courses in this college science program will cover the three foundational disciplines of biology, chemistry and civil engineering — and teach you to understand and manage complex environmental problems. To balance theory, you'll gain hands-on experience using technology and equipment in water and soil quality analysis, ecological field sampling, analytical chemistry, hazardous material management, surveying, municipal engineering, AutoCAD drawing and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. You'll also acquire the skills to analyze and remidate the urban environment through laboratory practice in water quality testing, groundwater movement, computer aided environmental audits and the chemistry of pollutants.

Program Highlights:-

• You can participate in local conservation and restoration activities.
• Graduates can apply to register with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
• After you complete Semester 4 courses, you can write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Operator-in-Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) exams.
• Environmental Technology (and its co-op version) is the recipient of the President's Academic Program Recognition Award for Outstanding Student Satisfaction.
• The Biotechnology, Environmental Technology and Food Science Technology programs share a common first semester, which provides the flexibility to transfer between programs before starting the second semester.
• The unique combination of technical skills in this advanced diploma program will greatly increase your career options.

Co-op Option:-
This program offers an optional co-op component. During this opportunity, academically-qualified students can put classroom learning into practice and make valuable contacts for future careers.
To participate in programs with optional co-op, you'll typically complete an application process in the second semester of your studies. If you qualify academically, you'll be admitted to the co-op program. When you graduate, your diploma will highlight the co-op credential.

The Nutrition and Food Service Management program at Centennial College is the longest established two-year program of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area.

This health diploma program has been the recipient of numerous awards for its approach to preparing students to pursue challenging careers as managers in the dynamic and growing health care and food service industry. Nutrition and Food Service Management has received the Centennial College President's Academic Program Recognition awards for Job Market Preparation, Student Satisfaction, Graduate Satisfaction, Employer Satisfaction and Quality of the Learning Experience.

In this School of Community and Health Studies program, you'll learn to combine food service administration and health care to interpret and apply nutritional care principles to promote health and effectively manage a food service department. Major topic areas will include:

• Healthy Nutrition Counselling 
• Food service Operations
• Safety and sanitation
• Accounting Principles 
• Human resource management
• Financial management
• Menu planning
• Large quantity cooking
• Menu design applications
• Medical nutrition therapy

The Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM) accredits the Nutrition and Food Service Management program. When you graduate, you'll be eligible for membership in the CSNM. CSNM membership is a requirement of Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to work as a food service manager in long-term care facilities and many acute care facilities. As such, you'll be fully prepared with specialized knowledge and eligible to work in health care. 

Program Highlights

• Using the School of Community and Health Studies and the School Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts' resources, you'll learn the practical aspects of large quantity food preparation and conduct experiments to learn the physical properties of food.
• The program is made up of four semesters (fall and winter intakes). 
• The final six weeks of the program will consist of an  approved  field placement which will be  organized by the college. Field placement will be  a supervised  practicum in healthcare. 
• Faculty members are typically members of the CSNM or the College of Dietitians of Ontario. They have experience in food manufacturing, the retail industry, food service management, clinical nutrition, and consulting in acute and long-term care.

When you graduate from Nutrition and Food Service Management, you'll have the ability to:

• Plan menus to accommodate the nutritional, dietary and medical needs, cultural and religious requirements, and personal preferences of clients;
• Supervise and evaluate the handling, preparation and service of food to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, organization policies, and procedures and industry best practices for health, safety, sanitation, quality assurance and client satisfaction;
• Provide for the nutritional needs of diverse clients in health care settings in collaboration with or under the direction of members of the interprofessional health care team;
• Comply with and support others to work in accordance with industry, organization and legal standards for professional and ethical conduct;
• Apply relevant local, national and global trends, emerging technologies, and changes to legislation to enhance work performance and support management decisions;
• Deliver customer service that anticipates, meets or exceeds individual expectations and is consistent with organization standards and objectives;
• Participate in the hiring, coaching, training, scheduling, supervision and performance evaluation of department staff in accordance with human resources, labour relations, workplace health and safety, and industry best practices;
• Participate in the management of inventory and the procurement of goods and services according to industry best practices, financial constraints, and principles of social responsibility and environmental sustainability;
• Contribute to the analysis of food and nutrition processes, systems and operations, and the implementation and evaluation of changes to support continuous improvement;
• Contribute to the planning and administration of budgets consistent with organization objectives and legal requirements for food and nutrition services departments;
• Appropriately select and use information and industry-specific technologies to enhance individual work performance and the management delivery of food and nutrition services;
• Participate in promoting food and nutrition services and healthy living to support marketing plans and the general well-being of individuals;
• Develop global citizenship and equity knowledge, skills and experiences as they relate to sustainability of resources, individual and community identities, critical social analysis, and enhanced personal and social responsibility;
• Support action for change that promotes social, economic and ecological equity at personal and global levels;
• Participate in interprofessional collaboration.

The Food Science Technology (Fast-Track) program will grant qualified college or university graduates direct admission into Year 2 (Semester 3) of this three-year advanced diploma program, allowing them to receive their advanced diploma in two years (four semesters).

The Centennial College Food Science Technology program will integrate and apply knowledge within the disciplines of microbiology, chemistry, engineering, biology and nutrition to preserve, process, package and distribute foods that are healthy, affordable, desirable and safe to eat.

This college science program will prepare you for food science careers in areas such as quality control/ assurance, laboratory analysis, product development and food safety.

Program Highlights

• In Centennial College's fully equipped labs, you receive comprehensive laboratory training that ranges from foundational to professional skills.
• You experience practical, hands-on activities with a wide range of instrumentation throughout the Food Science Technology (Fast Track) program.

The Workplace and Wellness Health Promotion program, facilitated by Centennial College's School of Community and Health Studies, is one of the first graduate certificate programs of its kind in Canada. As such, it enjoys a respected national and international reputation and is recognized by leading employers.

The Workplace and Wellness Health Promotion courses will prepare you to promote the total well-being of individuals and groups within corporate and community contexts.

To do so effectively, in this college health program you'll:

• Benefit from acquiring essential program management and communication skills to become an effective manager of wellness and health promotion programs;
• Gain knowledge in providing wellness coaching, designing, implementing and evaluating effective health promotion strategies and programs, as well as managing programs in accordance with organizational policies and procedures;
• Focus on assessing health risk factors and developing health and wellness plans and strategies to promote individual and organizational well-being;
• Learn to utilize a variety of presentation techniques and strategies, develop a business case for wellness and market, and promote wellness programs.

As a Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion graduate skilled in program design and management, psychosocial and physical health issues, mental health management, program planning and health promotion theory, you'll bring a holistic and interprofessional approach to the field.

Program Highlights

• Program content will include program planning and management, mental health management, health promotion theory, organizational development, environmental health, coaching, business foundations and community health.
• You'll develop leadership skills through assessing individual and group health and wellness needs.
• You'll have the opportunity to design and implement workplace wellness projects.
• Faculty members have current and relevant industry experience.
• During the final semester, you'll strengthen your skills and explore career opportunities with a field placement and relevant experiential learning. The placement component will provide you with valuable and relevant work experience and networking opportunities.
• Credit for past educational experience will be considered through the PLAR process as stated on the official course outline.

Once you complete the Workplace and Wellness Health Promotion program, you'll be able to:

• Assess wellness needs of individuals, groups, organizations and communities;
• Apply best practices to design, implement, evaluate and manage effective individual and agency intervention strategies and wellness programs to achieve goals mutually determined through consultation;
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing (e.g., presenting workshops, seminars, speeches and facilitating groups, writing reports and proposals, and developing promotional materials);
• Identify risk factors that influence human behaviour, health and wellness;
• Implement strategies that facilitate personal, organizational culture and community wellness;
• Analyze trends and issues in the political, social and economic environment and effectively deliver contemporary wellness programs that address these factors;
• Work in team settings and apply leadership and organizational skills to a variety of populations and settings;
• Provide appropriate referral information to assist individuals, groups and organizations;
• Advocate wellness concepts and philosophies in community and employment settings;
• Maintain professional helping and working relationships that adhere to legal and ethical standards;
• Apply principles of health promotion to a variety of diverse individuals, organizations and communities;
• Apply research design and methods to workplace wellness and health promotion projects;
• Examine the strategic approach to human resource management;
• Develop global citizenship and equity knowledge, skills and experience as it relates to sustainability of resources, individual and community identities, critical social analysis, and enhanced personal and social responsibility.

If you’re looking to get a practical college education but also want the theory found in a university degree, Centennial College's Liberal Arts to University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) program can make it happen.

This offering will start by teaching you a wide range of subjects, including communications, research methods, humanities and social sciences, before setting you up to transition to the University of Toronto. This arts diploma program is for you if you're:

• Interested in applying to an honours degree program at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus;
• Considering college programs in areas such as business administration, child studies and community services, hospitality and tourism, journalism, and media and design;
• Exploring your ultimate career goals and different educational opportunities.

At Centennial College's Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA & PTA) program, you'll learn to support people whose ability to function and adapt has been impaired or compromised due to injury, illness, or conditions affecting participation in daily activities.

Through training in this health care diploma program, which will consist of current theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, you'll develop competencies to become a compassionate, client-centred and reflective rehabilitation practitioner who will be prepared with the knowledge and skills to work in the dynamic health care field.

The faculty members of this college health care program are experienced occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in their field of expertise, and will ensure you'll have the educational tools, training and hands-on experience necessary to meet career challenges with enthusiasm, professionalism, and current evidence-based industry knowledge and skills. High academic standards and personal attention are two standout features of this program.

Once you complete the Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assistant program, you'll have the knowledge, skills and ability to work under supervised practice with registered occupational therapists and physiotherapists to provide rehabilitation services to improve people's quality of life.
 
Program Highlights

• Additional areas of instruction and development will include respect and caring for the uniqueness of individuals, effective communication, critical thinking and decision-making.
• You'll participate in several fieldwork experiences that will provide opportunities for the supervised application of skills in clinical settings with a range of client populations. The facilities at which you'll be able to complete placement vary, and when combined, offer diverse experiences in both occupational therapy and physiotherapy disciplines.
• The diversity of your placements will allow you to experience what your career can entail and help you to discover your areas of interest.
• As a graduate of the OTA & PTA program, you'll achieve vocational learning outcomes by demonstrating the ability to:

Appropriately and effectively communicate through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means with clients, their families, significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health care providers;

• Participate in the effective functioning of interprofessional health care teams;
• Establish, develop, maintain and bring closure to client-centred therapeutic relationships;
• Ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of others within the role of the therapist assistant;
• Competently practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner within the role of the therapist assistant;
• Document and complete client records in a thorough, objective and accurate manner;
• Develop and implement strategies to maintain, improve and promote professional competence;
• Effectively perform through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psycho-sociological sciences and health conditions;
• Perform functions common to both physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices that contribute to the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans under the supervision of, and in collaboration with, the occupational therapist or physiotherapist;
• Enable the clients' occupational performance and optimal function by contributing to the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans under the supervision of, and in collaboration with, the occupational therapist and physiotherapist, respectively.

The Personal Support Worker program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care when assisting patients, clients and residents with broad-spectrum conditions and health care needs. Your help will enable them to lead active and fulfilling lives in the community and institutions, both here and abroad.

The Personal Support Worker courses will focus on the full range of home and health-related services required by individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and chronic and acute illnesses. The skills and knowledge you receive will give you the flexibility to adapt to a variety of settings such as hospitals, homes, schools, community residential agencies, and long-term or chronic care facilities.

During your time in the Personal Support Worker program you'll learn through a hands-on approach facilitated by hospital and community health care-experienced faculty members. Additionally, clinical and community setting learning opportunities will allow you to offer direct care to patients, clients and residents. You'll gain experience caring for persons across their lifespan and learn to effectively communicate and collaborate with members of an interprofessional health care team.

Program Highlights

• This Personal Support Worker program reflects the latest practices and policies in the field.
• You'll spend 14 weeks gaining extensive practical experience by working with teams in hospitals, long-term care institutions and the community. Many students have been offered employment in the agencies in which they completed their placements.
• With one instructor to each small group of clinical placement students, you'll have the support necessary to learn, grow and practice your newly acquired skills.
• Faculty members are experienced, caring and supportive.
• Community agencies and clinical settings recognize the certificate you'll earn.

In accordance with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (2014) program standards, once you complete the Personal Support Worker program, you'll have the ability to:

• Work within the personal support worker role and participate as a member of the interprofessional care/service team and maintain collaborative working relationships in the provision of supportive care in the community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation as well as your employer's job description, policies, procedures and guidelines;
• Act responsibly and be accountable for your actions while recognizing the boundaries of knowledge and skills within the personal support worker role that require collaboration with the individuals, families, supervisors and/or other members of the interprofessional care/service team;
• Provide person-centred and person-directed care that's based on ethical principles, sensitive to personal values and family values, beliefs and needs, and which follows the direction of the plan of care or service plan;
• Establish and maintain helping relationships with individuals and their families reflecting open communication, professional boundaries and employer's policies, and adhering to confidentiality and privacy legislation;
• Identify relevant client information using basic assessment and communication skills and report and document findings in accordance with the requirements of employer policies and procedures and all applicable legislation;
• Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for individuals, their families, self and others, including the implementation of infection prevention, control measures and emergency first aid procedures that are in keeping with the plan of care/service plan, employer policies and procedures, and all applicable legislation;
• Assist individuals across their lifespan with routine activities of daily living by applying basic knowledge of growth and development, common alterations in functioning, disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, rehabilitation and restorative care;
• Assist individuals with medication, keeping with the direction of the plan of care or service plan, under the direction and monitoring of a regulated health professional or most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer's policies;
• Assist with household management tasks and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care or service plan, considering the preferences, comfort and safety of patients, clients, residents, families and significant others;
• Assist individuals who are caring for dependent individuals, considering client and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care or service plan;
• Identify and report situations of neglect, potential, alleged or witnessed/actual incidents of abuse, and respond in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer's policies and procedures;
• Assist in the provision of culturally relevant palliative and end-of-life care to patients, clients and residents experiencing a life-threatening illness and to their families and significant others, from diagnosis through death and bereavement, in accordance with personal decisions and the plan of care/service plan;
• Use identified approaches and best practices to support positive strategies and safe responses for people experiencing cognitive impairment, mental health challenges and/or responsive behaviours.

The Massage Therapy program at Centennial College will provide you with both the fundamental and advanced massage therapy skills to become a successful massage therapist. The program will emphasize professionalism and teach an evidence-based approach to assessment, treatment planning and implementation.

Recognized as a distinctive and rigorous offering within the School of Community and Health Studies, this program will balance a combination of theory and practical application through in-class lectures, lab experience, an onsite public clinic and offsite outreach placements.

You'll learn the proper assessment tools and techniques to deal with a wide variety of conditions that involve lymph, muscle, nerve, fascia and joints of the body as well as a wellness focus that maintains physical health, function and mobility.

Program Highlights

• Programs at Centennial College are awarded Key Performance Indicator Awards based on student satisfaction survey statistics. The Massage Therapy program has received the President’s Academic Gold awards for Graduate Satisfaction and for Quality of Learning Experience.
• The Massage Therapy program will offer strong clinical components through onsite labs and clinics and offsite placements. 
• At Centennial’s Morningside Campus, you'll obtain hands-on practice in modern clinical spaces where you'll meet clients who experience injuries, dysfunction and disease. Your responsibility will be to offer assessment and treatment, under the supervision of experienced RMT faculty members, to help improve patients’ physical ability and quality of life.
• When you graduate, you'll be eligible to write the registration examinations administered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) to obtain the Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) designation. Centennial students have demonstrated an excellent success rate at the CMTO entry-to-practice examinations (see www.CMTO.com for results).

Centennial College's Architectural Technology program will prepare you for a variety of careers in the building industry. Among the various options will be working in an architectural firm where you'll apply your technical knowledge and skills to create building designs, analyze building code requirements, prepare construction drawings and carry out contract administration tasks during the construction phase. Alternatively, where permitted by legislation, you may directly offer building design and drawing services to clients on small building projects.

This diploma program will emphasize energy-efficient, sustainable design and construction strategies as well as protecting the environment. Using state-of-the-art computer technology, you'll learn to prepare designs and construction drawings for residential, industrial, commercial and institutional buildings. You'll also become familiar with building materials, construction methods, structural design, mechanical and electrical services, building codes and zoning by-laws, contracts, specifications, and the business environment for providing design and construction services.

Program Highlights

• The Architectural Technology program's project-based curriculum, which focuses on a different building type each semester, and a strong foundation in technical knowledge, ensures you are industry-ready.
• There is a strong emphasis on energy-efficient, sustainable design and construction strategies, and protecting the environment.
• Program faculty members include many current industry practitioners who have advanced degrees, licenses and credentials in architecture and related fields.
• All students are strongly encouraged to complete the full, three-year, Architectural Technology program. However, students who successfully complete the first two years of this program may apply to graduate from the two-year Architectural Technician program.