The Future Demand of Healthcare Support Roles in Ontario
As the healthcare landscape in Ontario evolves rapidly, the roles that support care beyond doctors and nurses are becoming more critical than ever.
For adults exploring new career paths, healthcare support positions such as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) or Addictions and Mental Health Workers, to name a few, offer stability, purpose, and a chance to make a real impact.
In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the growing need for these support roles and why they make for great career choices – whether it’s a first career or a later transition into something new!
Growing Demand in Ontario’s Health Sector
According to the Fraser of Ontario (FAO), spending on mental health and addictions programs alone is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent between 2021–22 and 2027–28.
Similarly, a report from Statistics Canada notes that employment in health occupations more than doubled from 1998 to 2024, growing at an average of about 3 percent annually, compared to just 1.5 percent across all occupations.
Taken together it’s clear: these trends signal real opportunity for support roles in home care, community health, administration and other essential positions.
What Healthcare Support Roles Entail
While nurses and physicians are the most visible parts of the system, many roles ensure the healthcare machine runs smoothly:
- Personal Support Workers (PSWs) assisting clients in long-term care, home care or community settings.
- Medical Office Administrators (MOAs) managing patient records, scheduling, billing and communications.
- Pharmacy Technicians helping prepare and distribute medications safely.
- Addictions & Mental Health Workers providing critical support in recovery and community services.
Each of these jobs plays a vital role in both patient-facing care and behind-the-scenes coordination.
Why These Careers Are Future-Proof
- Aging Population & Home Care Growth: As more Ontarians “age in place,” demand for in-home services and community-based care rises. A PSW or home-care support role becomes more valuable by the day.
- Expanded Healthcare Services & Interdisciplinary Teams: Healthcare delivery is shifting, such as more outpatient care, more home care, more community supports. This means support workers must step into broader roles.
- Shortages & Workforce Renewal: With many healthcare workers approaching retirement and renewal ratios slim, support roles become essential for system stability and expansion.
- Versatile & Transferable Skills: Skills developed in support roles, such as communication, organization, empathy, digital literacy, are valuable across healthcare and beyond, giving you options for growth and flexibility.
Who Thrives in Healthcare Support Roles?
If the following sounds like you, a healthcare support career could be a strong fit:
- You enjoy helping others and making a difference in people’s lives.
- You’re organized, reliable, and comfortable with both routine and new challenges.
- You can communicate clearly and listen actively.
- You’re adaptable, ready to learn, and open to team-based environments.
- You want a stable career that still offers meaningful personal connection.
How Training Prepares You
At institutions like CTS Canadian Career College, support-role training is designed with adult learners in mind: fast-track programs, hands-on placements, and relevance to the real workforce.
Programs can help you step into roles like PSW, MOA, or Addictions & Mental Health Worker with confidence and purpose.
Your Next Step
With demand growing and healthcare evolving in Ontario, support roles are more important and more promising than ever.
If you’re considering taking the next step, explore support-role programs at CTS Canadian Career College, inquire about start dates, and take advantage of financial aid options.
Your career starts here. Contact us today!