Health programs
for rural students
Are you interested in starting a healthcare career but can’t commit to an in-person program? NorQuest College provides flexible, online study options for our industry-recognized health programs.
Study from the comfort of your home
Rural students often struggle with attending college courses in Edmonton. Long commutes, vehicle expenses, and conflicting schedules are common barriers for rural students pursuing a post-secondary education.
NorQuest helps remove these barriers by providing online programs designed to make studying more accessible and convenient for students in remote and rural locations. Through these programs, students can start their studies and take the first step towards a new, meaningful career without worrying about daily commutes into the city.
Start a health office assistant career
Do you enjoy working with people? Are you looking for a career where you can put your organizational skills to use? Want to thrive while working in a healthcare environment?
As an Office Assistant, you’ll manage the day-to-day operations of a medical, dental, or veterinary office. Through a variety of administrative tasks, you’ll keep processes running smoothly and play a critical role in the medical system.
The learning component of these programs are available fully online. A mandatory workplace practicum is also included, so you can graduate with experience. We’ll do our best to match you with an employer in or around your community.
The online Medical Office Assistant program was a great first step in my post-secondary education. I found it very convenient to be able to work from home at my own pace … The teachers were very helpful and always responded to any questions I had in a timely manner.
— Paige Tetzlaff, Medical Office Assistant graduate
Start your healthcare career
Are you looking to start your healthcare career but you’re not sure which discipline to pursue? There are a variety of different career paths in healthcare that lead to fulfilling and meaningful work.
Courses take place online with an in-person lab component, scheduled at our downtown Edmonton campus. NorQuest creates lab schedules with rural students in mind and batches the lab days to reduce travel requirements.
Because of the Medical Device Reprocessing Technician program at NorQuest, I am working full time in the field I wanted with a sense of accomplishment and pride in giving back to my community!
—Zoey Robocon, Medical Device Reprocessing Technician graduate
Advance your nursing career
Are you a Licensed Practical Nurse looking for the next step in your healthcare career? Do you want to define your scope of practice and specialize in a specific area?
NorQuest offers post-diploma programs to help you advance your career. These programs are offered online, with some on-campus lab time, and can be completed as you continue working.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any in-person requirements for these programs?
The following courses do not have an in-person lab requirement. The course material for these programs can be completed entirely online:
- Medical Office Assistant
- Dental Office Assistant
- Veterinary Office Assistant
In-person labs are required for the following programs. Students must attend the required labs at our Edmonton campus to complete the program.
- Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant
- Advanced Education in Orthopaedics for LPNs
- Advanced Foot Care
We do our best to batch labs on consecutive days, so rural students can minimize their commutes. In most cases, labs are scheduled for full days. Lab exams will also be scheduled during a time you’re already on campus.
What online options are available?
NorQuest provides two different online delivery methods:
- Online anytime: There are no scheduled class meetings. You choose when to do your coursework online. Courses have specific start and end dates. There may be due dates for some assignments during the class.
- Online real-time: You follow a real-time class schedule and must attend live, online courses at specific dates and times.
Online anytime is best for students who are looking for a flexible schedule where they can complete coursework on their own time. Students who choose this option should have strong time management skills.
Online real-time is best for students who prefer following a set schedule with live courses.
Will instructors be available for questions and help in your online courses?
Absolutely! Throughout the duration of your program, you’ll have the chance to virtually connect with your instructor to ask questions, gain clarification on topics, and get extra help if needed.
NorQuest also has other online supports available, including mental health services, free tutoring, Indigenous student services, and career support.
What are the workplace practicums, and will they be offered in my rural community?
Workplace practicums are designed to give you hands-on training and work experience before you graduate from your program. You can take the theoretical knowledge you learned in the virtual classroom and implement it in real-world situations. It also gives you valuable experience you can include on your resume and cover letter.
While we do our absolute best to match you with a workplace practicum in your community, there may be limitations on what is available in your location. You may need to travel outside of your community to surrounding areas to complete your practicum. A work-integrated learning staff member will work with you to provide the best solution possible.
For the in-person labs, how do I get to campus? Where do I park?
NorQuest’s health program labs are all located at our downtown Edmonton campus. We are located off 102 Ave and 108 Street, just south of MacEwan University.
Paid parking is available around campus. Please view this campus map to find available parking areas.
NorQuest is also located close to the Corona LRT Station. Some students prefer to drive to the nearest LRT station and take transit to campus to avoid parking fees.
Looking for more information? Attend a webinar and talk to the experts
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Have questions about our online programs?
If you have any questions about NorQuest’s online programs, please connect with a Student Recruiter using the form below. They are available for one-on-one virtual appointments.