Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Program Overview
Humber’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner advanced diploma program is the first and only publicly funded program of its kind offered at a post-secondary institution in Canada. This intensive program is grounded in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner skillset which has been approved by all provincial TCM regulators in Canada and provides students with the skills and professional experience necessary to become a TCM Practitioner in Ontario. Through a combination of theoretical course-based instruction, as well as several clinical placements, you will gain a necessary understanding of Traditional Chinese and Western medicine practices. Moreover, graduates of the program will be trained to conduct a TCM diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment plans by utilizing their skills in acupuncture, herbal medicine, clinical practice management, professionalism and safety. This program is also committed to the promotion of evidence-informed practice of TCM through scientific research.
Work Experience - SEM 2C |
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| TCM 158: Mandatory Professional Practicum - Clinical Skills 1 |
Work Experience - SEM 4C |
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| TCM 258: Mandatory Professional Practicum 1 |
Work Experience - SEM 6C |
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| TCM 356: Mandatory Professional Practicum 3 |
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Critically analyze and evaluate Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCMP) theories and treatment methods to develop professional knowledge and skills required for the profession.
Assess, diagnose and treat patients using Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCMP) principles, knowledge and treatment methods including acupuncture, herbal medicine, internal and external medicine.
Perform safe, ethical and effective TCMP skills within a clinical setting.
Evaluate patients incorporating a bio-medical approach with Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCMP) examination techniques to formulate a TCMP diagnosis and treatment strategy, and perform the treatment in a skillful and professional manner.
Communicate effectively and educate patients, families, the community and other healthcare providers when providing TCMP practices.
Advocate for Traditional Chinese Medicine as an effective complementary medicine.
Adhere to the relevant provincial and federal legislation governing the profession while engaging in safe practices.
Access current and pertinent research regarding practitioner self-care to maintain a healthy practice.
Maintain client and business records using professional business practices of a TCMP.
Establish interprofessional relationships with TCM colleagues and healthcare team members.
Develop a plan for personal and professional development to enhance work performance and maintain currency in the field.
Evaluate and implement environmentally related initiatives relevant to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (TCMP) profession.
Apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities.
Work Placement
There are six mandatory clinical placements that provide students with progressive, professional practice experience in diagnosing, preparing treatment plans, inter-professional collaboration and safe practices. Clinical placements occur throughout the year at community TCM and multi-discipline clinics within the Greater Toronto Area, as well as at our on-site partner clinic, the Tzu Chi Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The clinical component of the program offers more than 700 hours of direct patient contact which exceeds the regulatory body minimum requirement of 500 hours. Examples of inter-professional clinical settings include working with naturopathic doctors, registered dieticians, chiropractors, registered massage therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Aside from the traditional examples of TCM and acupuncture placements such as clinics, other examples include servicing patients in residential addiction facilities and organizations offering services to people living with HIV.
Professional and Community Partnerships
The Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness has a long history of collaboration with our acute, chronic, rehabilitation and community health-care agencies in Ontario. The TCM Practitioner advanced diploma learners will complete the practice requirements of the program in clinics, as well as other environments in order to implement the theoretically acquired skills.
The Humber Advantage
The Tzu Chi Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Humber community benefits from having The Tzu Chi Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine on campus. Students in the TCM program are fortunate to complete many of their clinical hours in this operating clinic. Applying their theoretical knowledge, students are supervised by professional, registered practitioners; proven leaders in the field of TCM Ontario. Students will progress from guided to independent application of TCM skills, including: gathering a medical history, performing tongue and pulse exam, determining a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan, prescribing herbal formulas and executing acupuncture procedures. Students will also complete hours within the herbal dispensary, compounding, processing and dispensing herbal formulas.
State-of-the-art Facilities
Humber has state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities purposely designed to support student success. Students enrolled in the TCM Practitioner program will access collaborative learning spaces in the formal teaching and learning periods. All laboratories are a high-quality, comprehensive learning environments. As well, students will access innovative and accessible informal learning spaces where interactions with learners enrolled in the traditional health sciences programs can occur, strengthening their awareness of the entire health-care team. Moreover, Humber is the only English speaking publicly funded College in Ontario with a human cadaver laboratory to support experiential learning. Students of the TCM Practitioner program have access to a dedicated human cadaver for the purpose of studying acupuncture anatomy and technique, leading our students to greater competence and confidence.
The Humber Experience
The Right Fit
You hold the patient's needs and well-being as a priority. You are a self-motivated individual, with a strong, caring, work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills. You have the confidence to make clinical and business decisions to be successful in this career.
Your Career
The TCM profession is a newly regulated and growing health profession in Ontario and across Canada, and the employment future for graduates is positive. There is a nationwide trend toward alternatives to traditional health practice, and, consequently, the number of people seeking practitioners of natural healing is increasing - including traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
Graduates will gain the knowledge, skills and judgment necessary to launch a career in professional practice, research and practice management. Possible employment opportunities include work in private TCM and multi-discipline health clinics, and increasingly, conventional medical clinics, long-term care facilities, homes for seniors, rehabilitation clinics, community health clinics and acute care hospitals.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
This program includes the entry-to-practice competencies approved by the provincial regulators of TCM Practitioners – the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). The program helps to prepare students to write the pan-Canadian licensing exams.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
