Alumni Spotlight

The road to purpose: how an HCA student found meaningful work and personal fulfillment at MHC

As a certified scuba diver, business professional, portrait as well as fashion photographer and now student in Medicine Hat College’s health care aide program, Jerry Tengco has been dubbed a jack-of-all-trades by those close to him; a nickname that aptly describes his openness for trying new things and excelling in all he does.    

Originally from the Philippines, Jerry moved to Canada ready to pursue a career he was familiar with – business. However, when he learned about the healthcare field, he was reminded of his close family bond and natural caregiving abilities and changed his path. 

“Something triggered in my mind, and I decided to give the health care aide program a try. As time went by and I was learning, I realized this is my passion,” says Jerry. “My professor said in class that when you are doing the thing that makes you happy, you will find your people and that will be your field. That’s why I’m continuing as a health care aide – this is my calling, and these are my people.”

With high employment rates, HCA is a profession in demand

 

The eight-month program includes face-to-face labs, on-site clinicals, and the option of in-person or online theory. Following his very first clinical, Jerry was offered employment upon completion of the program. 

“The community needs us, Canada needs us. This is not "just" a certificate, it’s a field that has a big impact on your life and the community. This program is the answer to the healthcare support system scarcity in this country. The field can be tough, but if you have the passion, the courage to try, and guidance from MHC professors, you can be a competent health care aide.”

An opportunity to change a life

 

The responsibilities for an aide vary from feeding, lifting, turning and walking patients to handling bed transfers, performing simple wound care and taking vitals. 

But it’s the relationship-building, compassionate care, and communication that are just as critical, explains Jerry. 

Shifting from high energy to subdued emotion, he recalls an experience where those skills helped enhance the quality of life for a resident. 

“There was a patient who was classified as aggressive, but because of what we tackle in the classroom, I was able to find the potential reason behind it, what was triggering them.”

By pursuing the source of their behavior, he was able to determine the resident missed their loved ones. With a request to his supervisor, the facility contacted the family and they were able to arrange a visit. Jerry was later told that his commitment, and that decision, ultimately changed the client’s life. 

“If you put your heart into it and know what people need, they can bounce back and it will help you do your care. That [experience} is one that impacted and changed my life too.”

Finding a home at MHC

Before deciding on MHC, Jerry compared programs at other institutions. He chose MHC for the community and lower cost, but soon realized the value of the education he received far outweighed the investment. 

“Medicine Hat College has exceeded my expectations. They have a gymnasium, a huge campus, a big cafeteria, a good library, laboratory spaces - all the things that we need. They can give you more; the way they teach, the way they accommodate.” 

He adds with a laugh, “I think the payment that I gave them is not enough, because MHC is like a home.”

He shares that sentiment with the community as well. 

“I love Medicine Hat. The people here are great. They are so kind and they are trying their best to accommodate you, to make you feel at home. There’s a lot of opportunity here.”

To learn more about the Health Care Aide certificate at MHC, visit www.mhc.ab.ca/HCA.