MEDICINE HAT COLLEGE: Finding purpose in supporting others

Ernest Torniado always knew he wanted to help others. Trained as a massage therapist, Ernest enjoyed the ability to work closely with his patients to discover suitable treatment plans but due to the repetitive nature of the work, he found himself in a state of burnout, considering other opportunities. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced him out of work for three months, he was ready to find a new career in the healthcare industry.

A path to physiotherapy

With an interest in physiotherapy, Ernest moved from Saskatchewan to enroll in the Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) diploma at Medicine Hat College (MHC). This two-year program trains students to work under the direction of occupational therapists and physiotherapists, helping clients to successfully perform daily activities and mobilize after illness or injury.

“Becoming a therapy assistant allowed me to continue working within the healthcare scope, but more so on the rehab side,” explains Ernest, who began the OTA/PTA program in Fall 2020 with an initial plan to pursue physiotherapy. He chose MHC for its ability to transfer the diploma to institutions like Athabasca University, Thompson Rivers University and University of Calgary for degree completion.

Upon finishing the program in 2022, he returned to Saskatchewan and took a role as an OTA at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. His role focuses on helping patients perform daily activities independently, such as getting dressed, feeding, and cleaning themselves.

“Working in a hospital, I’m able to see patients under different types of conditions and levels of abilities and I’m able to create a relationship with them. I like seeing their progress to recovery and getting them out of the hospital.”

As the main point-of-contact throughout their treatment, Ernest enjoys being an advocate for his patients and working closely with occupational therapists to find and adjust recovery plans, based on patient needs.

Supporting student success

Now, still closely linked to his educational roots, Ernest supports current MHC students during their practicum placements. Seeing an ongoing demand for OTA/PTAs in Saskatchewan, he hopes graduates will return to support hospitals and rehabilitation centers in need of staff.

“When I started my job at St. Paul’s, one of four hospitals here in Saskatoon, I was only the second or third therapy assistant ever to be hired. Currently, I am the only therapy assistant working in the whole hospital, covering eight wards, so there is definitely a need for therapy assistants.”

Ernest believes empathetic individuals with a passion for helping others and making a difference in their patients’ recovery journeys would be most successful in an occupational therapy assistant role.

To learn more about becoming an OTA/PTA, or other rewarding careers, visit www.mhc.ab.ca/SKStudents and find your path with us.