Digital Skills Micro-Credentials for Healthcare Professionals
Overview
The Digital Skills Micro-Credentials for Healthcare Professionals Program equips healthcare professionals with the essential digital competencies needed to thrive in today's technology-enabled care environments. Developed in collaboration with sector partners, the program strengthens communication, documentation, and ethical digital practice to enhance the quality of care and workplace efficiency. Participants gain recognized, practical skills that align with Ontario's digital health priorities, ensuring both individual and organizational readiness for the future of healthcare.
NEW!
Gain access to a free Leadership and Interpersonal Skills Micro-credential badge with your enrollment*. Complete your micro-credential online and share your badge on professional networks, or add to your resume, to showcase your learning to employers.
*Enrollment in the full program comes with a Level 2 badge. Enrollment in an individual course comes with a Level 1 badge.
The Digital Skills Micro-Credentials for Healthcare Professionals program improved confidence, strengthened understanding of ethical digital practice, and helped apply technology more effectively in daily care.
2025 Pilot Participants
Who is the target audience?
- Healthcare professionals such as PSWs, healthcare aides, nurses, and community support staff seeking to strengthen their digital skills for documentation, communication, and ethical technology use;
- Healthcare employers and organizations (LTC homes, home and community care agencies, hospitals) aiming to build staff capacity and align with Ontario’s digital health priorities;
- Workforce development and employment partners supporting career transitions and upskilling in healthcare.
I am a healthcare professional, why should I take this program?
- To build confidence and competence in using digital tools that improve communication, documentation and client care;
- To gain a recognized microcredential that demonstrates up-to-date digital literacy aligned with Ontario’s healthcare transformation priorities;
- To strengthen employability and readiness for today’s digitally connected healthcare environments;
- To build a future-ready professional identity grounded in ethics, reflection, and confident digital practice.
I employ healthcare professionals, why should I encourage my team to take this program?
- To ensure your staff are equipped to meet the increasing digital and data documentation requirements across healthcare settings;
- To enhance workplace efficiency and reduce communication errors through standardized digital practices;
- To demonstrate organizational commitment to quality, innovation, and workforce development;
- To align workforce competencies with Ontario’s ongoing digital health transformation across long-term care, home care, and community health sectors;
- To bridge the gap between compassionate care and digital competence, empowering healthcare professionals to use technology confidently, ethically, and effectively to improve care outcomes and organizational performance.
Micro-credentials
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Digital Technology Foundations (Digital Basics in Care)
This micro-credential introduces healthcare professionals to foundational digital tools and documentation skills essential for clear, safe, and effective care in long-term care (LTC) settings. Participants will engage in interactive activities and realistic scenarios designed to build confidence in digital documentation, patient privacy, and effective digital communication to support high-quality dementia care.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfull completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
- Identify foundational digital tools relevant to LTC settings;
- Apply digital documentation effectively in real-time care scenarios;
- Analyze basic digital safety and privacy principles in patient interactions;
- Demonstrate effective problem-solving through digital communication tools.
Course topics
- Introduction to foundational digital tools in LTC
- Real-time digital documentation
- Digital safety and privacy fundamentals
- Digital problem-solving and communication
- Integrative practice through realistic scenarios
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Digital Technology for Good (Digital Communication & Ethics)
This micro-credential helps healthcare professionals build confidence and skill in using digital tools to communicate clearly, ethically, and respectfully in long-term care settings. You will practice real-world scenarios, learn how to protect privacy and confidentiality, and develop habits for clear documentation and professional online interactions. By the end of the course, you will be able to apply practical digital communication skills that support safe, compassionate care for residents, families, and your healthcare team.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfull completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate respectful communication using digital tools across diverse cultural contexts;
- Apply privacy and confidentiality principles effectively in digital communication scenarios;
- Select and utilize appropriate digital messaging platforms within healthcare settings;
- Analyze and propose solutions to ethical dilemmas involving digital communication;
- Evaluate and define digital boundaries and consent practices within healthcare environments.
Course topics
- Respectful communication in Long-Term Care (LTC)
- Privacy, consent, and confidentiality in digital interactions
- Selection and appropriate use of digital communication tools
- Ethical dilemmas and solutions in digital interactions
- Establishing digital boundaries and professional practices
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Data and Digital Technology
This micro-credential helps healthcare professionals develop practical digital skills specifically for dementia care in long-term care (LTC). Through interactive activities, learners will practice effective digital documentation, ethical decision-making, communication strategies, and problem-solving techniques to overcome common digital entry errors.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfull completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
- Navigate and use digital documentation tools (e.g., PointClickCare);
- Apply documentation best practices in LTC settings for dementia care;
- Recognize and resolve common digital entry errors and workflow breakdowns;
- Collaborate digitally and ethically across teams while ensuring resident privacy.
Course topics
- Documentation Workflow Using PointClickCare
- Privacy Risks and Ethical Documentation
- Communication for Shift Changes
- Troubleshooting Entry Barriers in Real-Time
- Peer-to-Peer Digital Mentoring
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Digital Technology in Complex Systems (Navigating Complexity)
This micro-credential helps healthcare professionals develop the confidence and practical skills to use digital tools for clear communication, fast decision-making, and safe problem-solving in complex dementia care situations. By working through realistic scenarios, you will learn how to apply digital apps, structured communication methods like SBAR, and secure platforms to coordinate care, manage behavioral challenges, and protect residents’ privacy.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfull completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
- Recognize digitally supported workflows in complex care situations;
- Apply digital tools like SBAR and Slack (Discord or other communication tool) to make informed decisions and communicate effectively in dementia-related crises);
- Evaluate and troubleshoot tools used in behavioral response and resident safety;
- Collaborate using digital platforms to improve interdisciplinary care outcomes.
Course topics
- Scenario-based Digital Tools Application
- Complex Dementia Care Coordination
- Ethical Digital Communication and Privacy
- Digital Calendars and Reminder Systems
- Reflective Practices for Professional Growth
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Frontline Digital Leadership
This micro-credential helps healthcare professionals build confidence as digital leaders in long-term care. You will consolidate your knowledge of digital tools, practice mentoring peers, and plan for ongoing growth as a technology champion. By the end of this module, you will be ready to guide others in using digital platforms for safe communication, clear documentation, and collaborative problem-solving in dementia care.
Learning outcomes
Upon successfull completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate digital leadership and mentorship within healthcare contexts;
- Effectively utilize digital tools to support peer learning;
- Apply continuous improvement strategies using digital platforms;
- Critically evaluate digital competencies and plan ongoing personal development.
Course topics
- Digital Leadership and Mentorship Skills
- Effective Use of Digital Tools (SBAR, ARSnova Particify, Padlet, MediaWiki, GREX)
- Peer Mentoring and Feedback Strategies
- Continuous Improvement Planning
- Professional and Reflective Practices
Program information
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Program Structure
This program is designed to be fully asynchronous, mobile-first, and accessible, making it suitable for mature, second-career professionals, internationally trained workers, immigrant learners, and healthcare professionals with varying digital competencies. The learning experience emphasizes interactive and participatory activities, structured around problem-based learning scenarios relevant to LTC environments.
Estimated completion time per micro-credential is 4 to 6 hours.Participants will receive a Level 1 micro-credential badge upon successful completion of each individual micro-credential. Upon successful completion of all 5 micro-credentials (the full program) participants will receive a Level 2 micro-credential badge.
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Micro-credentials and Digital Badges
A micro-credential is a digitally-recorded recognition of a specific skill. It is a portable communication tool that represents evidence of your skills for employers, educators, and peers. Micro-credentials are created with industry, so you can be assured that the skills you are learning are in demand and current.
Learn more about micro-credentials and digital badges on the .
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Fees and discounts
Digital Skills Micro-Credentials for Healthcare Professionals (Full Program)
Registration fee Registration status $799 CAD + HST
Digital Technology Foundations (Individual Micro-credential)
Registration fee Registration status $199 CAD + HST
Digital Technology for Good (Individual Micro-credential)
Registration fee Registration status $199 CAD + HST
Data and Digital Technology (Individual Micro-credential)
Registration fee Registration status $199 CAD + HST
Digital Technology in Complex Situations (Individual Micro-credential)
Registration fee Registration status $199 CAD + HST
Frontline Digital Leadership (Individual Micro-credential)
Registration fee Registration status $199 CAD + HST
Alumni Discount
The Alumni/Staff Discount applies to registration in this program/micro-credential.
If you are alumni or staff, contact continuouslearning@ontariotechu.ca with your Student/Banner ID before registering for details about how to apply this discount.
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OSAP for Micro-credentials
OSAP for Micro-credentials is available for eligible students taking a ministry-approved micro-credential that is less than 12 weeks. To be eligible for OSAP for Micro-credentials, a student must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected person; and, be a resident of Ontario. A step-by-step guide on how to apply for OSAP for Micro-credentials is available here.
For more information please visit the OSAP website at .