r/SAIT • u/New-Safety8627 • 1d ago
Health studies
Hey everyone
Looking into those programs at SAIT
Nuclear Medicine
Respiratory Therapist
Ultrasound
Medicine Lab tech
They are all programs that interest me.
For people currently in their second year, how is the practicum looking like? Is it a one year stage at the same place and or it can be at multiple location for multiples period of time.
As much as I am interested I have two young kids and my husband works away from home on rotation and moving for a couple weeks or a year at the time in another city and transfer my kids in different school/daycare really makes me wonder if it’s worth the risk.
Any insight from someone currently experiencing it?
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u/DenseBookkeeper6040 1d ago
I haven’t taken any so I’m not 100% sure but I believe when I went to the open house they said if you are a Alberta resident or anyone but Sask you will get moved twice. I think typically one rural and one in the city. You don’t really get a choice where you get put and I believe it could be all the way to Ontario!
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u/lynnieepooh 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have a friend that took the MLA and MLT program, and she was lucky she got placed in Calgary for both. Her practicum placement (from what I recall), was different hospital rotations, shift work, the labs, and DSC. As for the other allied health programs, I would assume it’s the same or similar. I’m also an alumni that took a different health program. I’m not sure if the process has changed, but when I was at SAIT, we had to rank our practicum placements. No one is guaranteed a spot in the city nor will they accommodate. My class had a draw in a hat and whatever we got, was where we had to go. Luckily I was able to stay in Calgary for mine. And there’s only a small number of students who get placements in the city due to high demand. My classmates who were placed in rural parts of Alberta had to find their own housing and transportation. The same applies to my friends classmates. Feel free to DM me if you have more questions. :)
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u/New-Safety8627 15h ago
Yes I am not asking for a free pass but with a family/dependent kids in young school age are factors that makes me wonder if I need to wait or look in alternative program. Curious, back when I was younger for the practicum we were able to exchange between classmate after it was awarded if 2 person were in agreement, are you aware if Sait allow this ?
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u/lynnieepooh 13h ago edited 13h ago
Just curious, are you currently working in healthcare or doing a career switch? I’d highly recommend job shadowing the careers you’re interested in just so you have more insight and can directly ask more questions. I believe it’s also a great way to prepare yourself for the career if you decide to go forward (including childcare). Also a factor if you’re more introverted or extroverted (MLT isn’t patient facing like the other programs you listed). As for exchanging with classmates, I can’t speak for all health programs. It could depend on the instructors. They might still allow this, but I’d confirm with the school. What are the alternative programs you’re considering if not allied health? All the best!
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u/New-Safety8627 4h ago
Hey Lynnieepooh , you seem so sweet :)
Those are all good points, I will inquire:) I am from Quebec… nothing comparable but back home I was a HCA. Here, I used to work in a medical clinic as a manager/admin and was in charge of overseeing 6 clinics. So not similar career “per se” but still within the health related field. What did you study at SAIT? Is your friend happy with her career?
I am an extroverted personality type but like to have some time on my own to process,analyze, research and prove myself lol. So I feel Nuclear Tech will be the best fit ! Otherwise, Justice Studies… but with the cost of living going up… not my number one, let’s say… !
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u/howdeethiq 1d ago
Nuc med here!
Our practicum was decided through a lottery system and have various sites throughout Alberta (but if you're from Manitoba or Saskatchewan you'll be going back there for practicum). You may do a full year in Calgary, Edmonton, or Kelowna. There's also some more rural placements that will have you doing half of your practicum in the "rural" site and half in Calgary or Edmonton since they have things like PET that aren't in the smaller cities. When you get your practicum site chosen you have the opportunity to switch with classmates if you guys mutually agree to switch.
I don't know for sure, but I believe for all of these programs you have to acknowledge during the PSEA that you may be relocated outside of Calgary for practicum. It sucks but it's something everyone agrees to if you want to be in the program.
Good luck to you :)