Health Care Aide Certificate

Credential

Certificate (Full-time studies)

Duration

Approximately 8 months including theory learning, labs and practicum placement

(This credit program is offered through the Division of Extended Education.)

The Program

The Health Care Aide Certificate – Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019 program prepares students to be a part of the health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing high level of front-line care to clients in need of assistance.

As a Health Care Aide students may work in acute care facilities, continuing care facilities, hospitals, as well as in clients' homes. A Health Care Aide assists individuals needing care in a variety of ways including: assisting with eating, dressing, washing and moving.

The program uses a variety of learning approaches including online readings, assignments and lessons, in-person labs with a certified instructor, and in-person clinical placements. This program follows the Government of Alberta approved Health Care Aide 2020 curriculum and successful graduates are certified as Health Care Aides in Alberta.

Program Outcomes:

Health Care Aides must demonstrate competency as specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide Competency Profile.

Program Content

HCA 1001 HCA Roles and Responsibility
HCA 1002 The Human Body, Health and Chronic Illness
HCA 1003 Communication and Documentation in the Health Care Environment
HCA 1004 Providing Person-Centred Care and Comfort
HCA 1005 Clinical Placement I
HCA 1006 Meeting Complex Care Needs
HCA 1007 Special Activities for Clients with Various Health Conditions
HCA 1008 Clinical Placement II
HCA 1009 Consolidated Clinical Placement

For course information please click here.

Delivery Options

The Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019 Certificate is offered in a blended delivery format with lectures and class work being done online, and all practicum placements and labs being in person. This program is offered in multiple communities, including Red Deer, Drumheller, Innisfail, Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Stettler and Sundre.

Transfer Features

Alberta Health implemented new policies and program standards for the HCA program. Please refer to the Health Care Aide Provincial Program Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Guide for Students.

Program Cost Estimates

Admission Requirements

English Language Arts (ELA)

Grade 11, 20-2 level course, with a minimum score of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent; or

English 20-1 with a minimum of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent; or

English 30-1 or 30-2 with a minimum of 55% or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent; or

Deemed equivalent by completion of ACCUPLACER (assessment placement test)

Note: Applicants who have not completed the ELA, 20-2 level requirement and achieved the minimum grade are subject to completing the ACCUPLACER assessment test. This can include students out of province, out of country or mature students that have been out of school for a significant length of time.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Note: Test Currency - results must have been obtained within two years of the start date of the program.

Note: Test Validity: IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program will not be accepted.

Important Note for International Learners:

You must be physically present in Canada in order to study in the Health Care Aide Program. This program is delivered through a blended delivery method with some online learning and mandatory in-person components.

If you are seeking to apply for a Post Graduate Work Permit upon completion of this program, please note that since less than 50% of the program is completed by distance learning a post-graduation work permit may be issued. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will assess each individual’s Post-Graduate Work Permit application individually and holds full decision making authority.

Admission Procedures

Current offerings:

Registration for the Health Care Aide program does not follow the admission deadlines outlined in the Red Deer Polytechnic Academic Calendar. Applications for Fall, Winter, and Spring intakes are now being accepted.

Location	Program Start Date	Program End Date	Application Deadline, Domestic Applicants	Application Deadline, International Applicants
Red Deer	May 2, 2022	December 5, 2022	May 5, 2022	January 31, 2022
Ponoka	May 2, 2022	December 5, 2022	May 5, 2022	January 31, 2022

Red Deer	September 2, 2022	April 19, 2023	September 3, 2022	May 1, 2022

Red Deer	January 9, 2023	August 25, 2023	January 9, 2023	October 15, 2022
Red Deer (part-time)	January 9, 2023	December 22, 2023	January 9, 2023	October 15, 2022
Stettler	January 9, 2023	August 25, 2023	January 9, 2023	October 15, 2022

Red Deer	May 1, 2023	December 8, 2023	May 2, 2023	January 31, 2023
Sundre	May 1, 2023	December 8, 2023	May 2, 2023	January 31, 2023

Red Deer	September 5, 2023	April 17, 2024	September 6, 2023	May 1, 2023
Drumheller	September 5, 2023	April 17, 2024	September 6, 2023	May 1, 2023
Innisfail	September 5, 2023	April 17, 2024	September 6, 2023	May 1, 2023
Rocky Mountain House	September 5, 2023	April 17, 2024	September 6, 2023	May 1, 2023

Ponoka	January 4, 2024	August 22, 2024	January 5, 2024	October 15, 2023
Red Deer	January 4, 2024	August 22, 2024	January 5, 2024	October 15, 2023
Stettler	January 4, 2024	August 22, 2024	January 5, 2024	October 15, 2023

Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience

Click here for full details on PLAR guidelines.

Other Requirements

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

Applicants where English is a Second Language (ESL) must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement. Equivalencies are as follows: Required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of a minimum of 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and not an average of 7;
or
Completing high school in Canada. Studies must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic study;
or
Completing a recognized post-secondary degree or diploma program in Canada. The program must have involved at least two full years of full-time, consecutive academic study in English.
Note: Test Currency: results must have been obtained within two years of the start date of the program.
Test Validity: IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing.
Results that expire prior to the start date of the program will not be accepted.

Digital literacy
Candidates must possess knowledge of computer/technology tools to be successful in the program. Candidates must:

Be able to communicate, research and understand information
Know how to use computer to surf web, email
Be able to critically evaluate and understand how technology can affect one’s behavior
Be able to create, produce content and effectively communicate using email, media, internet

Health and Safety Requirements

Health Care Aide learners and workers are responsible for completing the required health and safety certifications and recommended immunizations. These Health and Safety requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. You are encouraged to become familiar with these requirements. For more information, including the required forms and instructions, please click on the following link Health and Safety Requirements

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be met in order for students to receive the Red Deer Polytechnic Health Care Aide Certificate:

A minimum overall grade of 70% in courses HCA 1001, HCA 1002, HCA1003, HCA1004, HCA 1006 and HCA1007.
A grade of Credit/No Credit in all clinical placement courses, including courses HCA1005, HCA 1008 and HCA 1009.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Achieve 100% attendance during lab and practicum.
Completion/submission of all assignments, projects and exams is required. Late or incomplete submissions will result in a grade of 0% for that particular requirement. Incomplete projects, simulations, quizzes and exams may prevent you from receiving your certification.
HCA students must achieve these minimum final grades and pass the provincial HCA Examination to graduate from the HCA Program and receive the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum Certificate.
NOTE: there is a $200.00 exam fee that is not included in the program costs or with student loans.

We understand that you still have questions about the programs.
You can talk to us and we can help.

Connect with an Advisor

Apply Now

Submit a Program Inquiry

Health Care Aide Certificate

Inquiries

View Our Campuses

Get to Know Us