Across Canada, health-care employers are dealing with staff shortages and growing patient needs. Federal and provincial governments are investing in new training seats and workforce projects to close the gap.
For a new grad, this means there are many jobs in the industry, but some roles are in higher demand than others. The key is to focus your health care job applications on occupations where demand is high, and your ABES training fits. Here are the top roles hiring and what you can do with your application to secure a job after graduation.
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1. Frontline Care Roles Top Demand List
Health Care Aides (HCAs)
Job Bank rates the outlook for nurse aides and related roles, including HCAs, as good in Alberta and across Canada for 2024–2026. Alberta has also expanded training seats for HCAs, LPNs and RNs, which is a clear sign employers need more people in these positions.
Where to focus health care aide applications:
- Long-term care and supportive living
- Home-care agencies
- Hospitals and hospice units
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
National projections show a strong risk of shortage for LPNs from 2024 to 2033, meaning demand is expected to stay high.
Where to focus LPN applications:
- Continuing-care and long-term care facilities
- Rural and regional hospitals
- Family medicine and primary-care clinics
If you are still in school, target practicums in these settings to build experience in high-demand areas.
2. Administrative and Coordination Roles
Unit Clerk/Medical Office Assistant (MOA)
Medical administrative assistants in Alberta have a good employment outlook for 2024–2026, supported by job growth and retirements.
ABES’ UC&MOA program is built around this need, with six weeks of practicum in clinics or hospitals.
Where to focus applications:
- Hospital nursing units (unit clerk roles)
- Specialist and diagnostic clinics
- Family practices and primary-care networks
Highlight your scheduling, ADT (admit/discharge/transfer), and communication skills—these are what hiring managers look for.
3. “Behind-the-scenes” Roles
Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)
Job Bank shows steady job opportunities for medical laboratory assistants over the next three years. ABES’ MLA program was originally created to address a Calgary lab shortage.
Where to focus applications:
- Hospital laboratories
- Private labs and patient service centres
Pharmacy Assistant
Pharmacy assistants in Alberta have a good outlook for 2024–2026, with job growth driven by an aging population and expanding pharmacy services.
Where to focus applications:
- Community pharmacies (chains and independents)
- Hospital pharmacies
- Long-term care and specialty pharmacies
Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR)
MDR technicians are essential for safe surgery and procedures. ABES runs its MDR program in partnership with Alberta Health Services to meet employer demand.
Where to focus applications:
- Hospital MDR departments
- Surgical centres and endoscopy suites
4. Community and Social Service Roles
ABES also trains Addiction & Disability Community Support Workers, who fit into a wider Canadian push to strengthen mental health, disability and community supports as part of the overall health workforce. These roles are also in high demand as each province grapples with a growing opioid crisis and aging populations.
Where to focus applications:
- Non-profit agencies and group homes
- Outreach and day programs
- Supported living and respite services
Where to Start With Your Application
- Search the roles your training equips you for and find spots where shortages are high (through Canada’s Job Bank and local listings).
- Aim most of your early applications at these roles and settings.
- Match your résumé keywords to the specific job ad and setting (hospital, clinic, community).
Ready to Turn Training Into a Career?
Explore ABES programs, talk with our Admissions team, and book a Discovery Session to see which health care path fits your goals.
Still Need Help? Talk to an ABES Advisor Today
Not sure where your first health care job applications should go first? An ABES Advisor can help you match your program, practicum experience and location to current industry demands in Alberta. Contact us today to start a focused job search plan.