Health and Wellness SHSM
Caring for others starts with developing yourself. Your Health and Wellness SHSM prepares you for healthcare and wellness careers through certifications and placements. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada supports your growth—building the empathy, discipline, and service mindset that healthcare demands.
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Health certifications (First Aid, CPR), patient care training, medical terminology, healthcare placements, and wellness program exposure.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll develop my health sector skills by spending about an hour each week on SHSM training in certifications, patient communication, or wellness practices. I’ll complete at least one certification (like First Aid) and track what I learn about healthcare careers.
Example Assessor:
SHSM Lead Teacher or Healthcare Industry Partner
Example Log for ORB:
Today I completed Standard First Aid training and practiced bandaging techniques. I got better at applying pressure correctly and securing bandages. Next week, I’ll review emergency response steps and practice scenarios.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Personal fitness, yoga, stress management activities, physical wellness routines, and health-focused exercise programs.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
For the next 13 weeks, I’ll improve my personal wellness by spending about an hour each week on fitness activities like yoga, walking, or gym workouts. I want to understand how physical activity supports mental health so I can share this with others in healthcare settings.
Example Assessor:
Phys. Ed Teacher, Yoga Instructor, or Wellness Coach
Example Log for ORB:
Today I did a yoga session focused on breathing and stress management. I stayed focused during longer meditation periods this time. Next week, I’ll learn more about the connection between exercise and mental health.
Complementary SHSM Experiences:
Volunteering at hospitals, seniors’ centres, community health programs, wellness events, and healthcare-related community service.
Example SMART Goal (Bronze, 13 Weeks):
Over the next 13 weeks, I’ll volunteer about an hour each week at a healthcare or wellness organization like a seniors’ centre, supporting residents or patients. I’ll track how my communication and caregiving skills improve.
Example Assessor:
Volunteer Coordinator, Seniors’ Centre Supervisor, or Healthcare Staff
Example Log for ORB:
Today I volunteered at the seniors’ centre, helping with an activity program and chatting with residents during lunch. I got better at asking open-ended questions and really listening to their answers. Next week, I’ll help with the fitness program and learn to adapt activities for different ability levels.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
A wellness exploration where your team travels on foot to visit health and wellness facilities in your community—such as fitness centres, community health organizations, or therapeutic recreation programs. You’ll learn about health careers, wellness practices, and how communities support wellbeing.
Example Team SMART Goal (Bronze – 2 Days, 1 Night):
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least four health and wellness sites. We’ll interview professionals about health careers, participate in a wellness activity together, and reflect on what we learned about supporting community health and how we supported each other’s wellbeing during the journey.
Example Assessor/Supervisor:
SHSM Lead Teacher, Health Professional, or Recreation Program Coordinator
Example Group Debrief (Progress-Focused):
Visiting different wellness facilities showed us how many ways communities support health. We got better at checking in with each other throughout the journey and adjusting our pace when needed. Next time, we’d schedule activities in advance and bring better supplies for self-care.
Career Pathways
- early childhood educators
- educational assistants
- social and community service workers
- correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks
- dental hygienists and dental therapists
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- funeral directors and embalmers
- health information management occupations
- licensed practical nurses
- massage therapists
- medical administrative assistants
- medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
- medical laboratory technologists
- medical sonographers
- nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- other assisting occupations in support of health services
- paramedical occupations
- respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- social and community service workers
- allied primary health practitioners
- audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- chiropractors
- dentists
- dietitians and nutritionists
- family, marriage and other related counsellors
- optometrists
- other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- pharmacists
- public health inspectors
- registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- specialist physicians
- technical sales specialists – wholesale trade
- nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- other assisting occupations in support of health services
- personnel clerks
- program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
- receptionists
- specialized cleaners
