Medix College and Extendicare join forces to implement Living Classroom program in Northern Ontario

Medix College, in collaboration with Extendicare’s long-term care homes in Kirkland Lake and Timmins, announced the expansion of the Living Classroom program, a partnership model that integrates personal support worker education into a long-term care home to support workforce development in senior living.

“At Medix we’re proud to support the Living Classroom, alongside Extendicare, and bring this unique opportunity for learners to Northern Ontario, empowering them to gain hands-on experience and prepare for successful careers that impact their communities in a meaningful way” says Peter Dykstra, CEO of Medix College. “We are extremely appreciative of the Government of Ontario and the Research Institute for Aging (RIA) to support our initiative to bring high-quality, immersive learning to Northern Ontario.”

“Extendicare is excited to do our part to strengthen the seniors’ care workforce by educating future personal support workers through the Living Classroom program,” says Johanna Horne, Regional Director at Extendicare in Northern Ontario. “Extendicare’s highly qualified health professionals will offer invaluable first-hand experience to help students build new skills through delivering quality care to seniors. In collaboration with Medix College, we look forward to empowering a new generation of long-term care teams to serve residents and their families in our communities for years to come.”

The features and benefits of the Living Classroom program include:

• Hands-on learning in real-world settings: Students will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios within Extendicare’s long-term care homes throughout their program. This hands-on experience will enhance their skills and confidence as healthcare professionals.
• Rotating in-person and virtual instruction: The program offers flexibility by alternating between in-person and virtual instruction, allowing learners to access quality education regardless of their location or schedule constraints. This hybrid approach ensures accessibility and adaptability to diverse learner needs.
• Enhanced career readiness and employability: Graduates of the Living Classroom program will emerge with a competitive edge in the job market, equipped with practical experience, industry-relevant skills, and a deep understanding of long-term care environments. This comprehensive preparation enhances their career prospects and empowers them to make meaningful contributions to the healthcare sector.

The Living Classroom program is funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care and led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) through the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI), in partnership with the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA).

The Living Classroom at Medix College and Extendicare will be available starting this fall with enrollment open to learners in the Kirkland Lake and Timmins regions. This program offers the potential for future career opportunities in the long-term care homes.

For more information visit MedixCollege.

About Medix College:

Medix College is a leading provider of healthcare education, offering a range of programs designed to prepare students for careers in various healthcare fields. With a focus on hands-on learning and industry-relevant curriculum, Medix College is committed to helping students succeed in their educational and professional endeavors.

About Extendicare:

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors across Canada, operating under the Extendicare, ParaMed, Extendicare Assist, and SGP Purchasing Partner Network brands. We are committed to delivering quality care throughout the health continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors’ population. We operate a network of 123 long-term care homes (52 owned/71 under management contracts), deliver approximately 10.2 million hours of home health care services annually, and provide group purchasing services to third parties representing approximately 138,300 beds across Canada. Extendicare proudly employs approximately 22,000 qualified, highly trained and dedicated team members who are passionate about providing high-quality care and services to help people live better.