Health Care Aide

What to expect from the program

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• have access to a vehicle or reliable method of transportation (bus etc.) to travel to complete their practicum

Program learning outcomes

1. Perform competently within the roles and responsibilities as a HCA within the Alberta and the Canadian health care system.
2. Demonstrate professionalism, accountability and responsibility as a HCA within a collaborative care team.
3. Provide ethical person-centred and culturally competent care to support, promote and maintain the health and well-being, safety, independence and comfort for the client across the lifespan in all health sectors.
4. Apply foundational theory, principles and evidence-based practices to provide holistic care for clients across the life span and across all health sectors.
5. Communicate effectively with the collaborative care team.
6. Perform skills competently according evidence-based guidelines across a variety of care settings for clients with various health needs and conditions.
7. Work with the collaborative care team to set and achieve common care goals.
8. Maintain safety of self, client and environment by following government legislation, agency policy and procedures.
9. Respond appropriately by recognizing, acting, reporting and recording while integrating knowledge, practice and experience to provide quality care.
10. Complete ongoing self-reflection to continuously develop HCA competencies.

Graduate with experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.

You’ll graduate this program with 320 hours of work experience from three practicums.

Clinical placements

You will work full-time during the practicum and provide your own transportation to the facility.

• Instructor-led clinical placements (HLTH 1550 and HLTH 2550): For Edmonton campus and online students, placements will occur in Edmonton or surrounding communities. Wetaskiwin campus students will be placed in Wetaskiwin or surrounding communities. Your schedule may include day or evening shifts, Monday to Friday.
• Your preceptored clinical placement (HLTH 2551) may be arranged in or close to your community. Your schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.

HCA Provincial Comprehensive Exam

A passing grade in the HCA Provincial Comprehensive Exam after all course work is completed is a requirement for being awarded the HCA Certificate. This exam is administrated by the HCA Directory add learners are required to pay the exam fees directly to the Directory.

Selecting your delivery option 

Choose an 8 or 12-month program from the delivery options below. Consider your learning style, flexibility, and preferred location when selecting.

All delivery options include a mandatory in-person lab and clinical component (full days), which may account for 50% of course hours.

Delivery options 

8 months

In person — Edmonton Campus with all theory and lab classes on campus during the week (Monday to Friday) and clinicals in Edmonton and surrounding areas. 

If you attend all your classes in person, at the Edmonton campus, then you will complete your program in eight months when learning full-time.

Online with in-person labs — Edmonton Campus with all theory and lab classes (labs on Fridays and Saturdays) on campus and clinicals in Edmonton and surrounding areas. 

 12 months

Evenings, in person — Edmonton Campus with all theory and lab classes on campus in the evenings and clinicals in Edmonton and surrounding areas. 

Online with in-person labs — Edmonton Campus with all theory and lab classes (labs on Fridays and Saturdays) on campus and clinicals in Edmonton and surrounding areas. 

Wetaskiwin — Wetaskiwin Campus with lab classes in the evenings on campus and clinicals in Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas. Theory classes will be online.

Once enrolled, you’re expected to complete according to your chosen delivery option. Changes may be approved only in extenuating circumstances after meeting with a student program advisor and leadership.

Health Care Aide Workplace Education

Are you currently working as a health care aide, or in an equivalent care-giving position, and want to become certified? The Health Care Aide Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with health-care employers. It can be taken over twelve months, allowing you to study at home and have your skills assessed by a NorQuest College trained tutor at your worksite.

Career opportunities

Health care aides work under the direct or indirect supervision of a regulated health professional, such as a nurse, in a variety of settings including:

• assisted living facilities
• home care
• long-term care

Health care aides provide basic health services, assistance and support with daily living activities for clients who have medical conditions or major functional limitations.

In Alberta, the health care aide profession is unregulated. To ensure consistent training of the health care aide workforce in Alberta, the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum is used by licensed post-secondary institutions.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be prepared to work in continuing care institutions, home care agencies, group homes, assisted or supportive living facilities, day programs, specialized care centres and programs, acute care hospitals, and private care.

For more information on related careers see:

• ALIS OCCinfo occupational profiles
• ALIS WAGEinfo salary info

What to expect as a health care aide

Applicants should assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the health care aide occupation.

As a health care aide, you must be able to:

• work day, evening, and night shifts any day of the week
• be on your feet for extended periods of time
• bend, squat and lift up to 40 pounds to move clients who have minimal body strength
• function effectively in stressful situations
• perform all skills independently