Health Care Aide - Overview
Program Overview
NorQuest College’s Health Care Aide program is among the largest in Canada and prepares you to be a part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing a high level of front-line care to clients in need of assistance.
Career Potential
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, day programs, specialized care centres and programs, acute care hospitals, and private care.
For more information on related careers see:
Program Length
21 weeksDelivery Options
Full-time (FT), Part-time (PT), Distance, Online- Fall, winter, and spring starts
- Variable start dates for Regional programs
- Monthly admission for Learning in the Workplace
The following are the program start dates for the 2013/14 Academic Year:
| Program Delivery | Fall 2013 | Winter 2014 | Spring 2014 |
| Full-time | September 3 | January 27 | |
| Edmonton - part-time | September 3 | January 21 | |
| eCampus Alberta Online | September 16 | January 20 | May 5 |
| HCA Training Project (On Campus) | October 21 | April 14 | |
| Stony Plain - part-time | October 22 | ||
| Westlock - part-time | September 24 | ||
| Wetaskiwin/Camrose - part-time | September 17 | ||
| Whitecourt - part-time | November 5 |
Full-time Delivery
- 21 to 24 week program
- Face-to-face daytime classes
- Downtown Edmonton campus
Part-time Delivery
- Theory and Labs are held, Tues/Wed/Thurs evenings and every second Saturday at the Downtown Edmonton Campus
- 200 hours of practicum are Monday to Friday full time days
- Regional 32-week program also available in Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Drayton Valley, Westlock, Whitecourt, Camrose and select communities throughout Alberta, based on interest
Distance Delivery
- anywhere in the province
- 32-week paced course study (not online)
- includes 2 practicums totalling 200 hours of instructor-supported clinical practice in a facility in your geographic location, with an assigned clinical mentor
- Site visits, supervision, and evaluation done by a NorQuest instructor
- Labs and workshops will be held at the downtown Edmonton campus, which may require students to travel. Attendance is mandatory.
- Course exams are proctored in your community.
eCampus Alberta Online Delivery
- anywhere in the province
- 32-week self paced course study (online)
- Instructor assistance by email
- Site visits, supervision, and evaluation done by a NorQuest instructor
- Labs and workshops will be held at the downtown Edmonton campus, which may require students to travel. Attendance is mandatory.
- includes 2 practicums totalling 200 hours of instructor-supported clinical practice in a facility in your geographic location, with an assigned clinical mentor
- Course exams completed online.
Regional Part-Time Delivery
- Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Drayton Valley, Westlock, Whitecourt, Camrose and select communities throughout Alberta, based on interest
- 32 weeks, which includes two practicums local totalling 200 hours of instructor-supported clinical practice
- Variable start dates
- Instructor-led theory, labs, and clinical practice
Workplace Education
The HCA Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with continuing care and home care employers. If you are interested in this program option, please consult your employer. You must be employed as a caregiver in a NorQuest approved agency to be eligible for this program.
- Self study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer.
- Students are scheduled for one year to complete the program.
- With this option, you are able to combine work and school by studying at home and practising your skills at work.
Location
Edmonton Downtown, Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Drayton Valley, Westlock, WhitecourtThis program is avaialble at all regional campuses in an online delivery format.
Additional workplace deliveries are available. The Health Care Aide Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with health-care employers. If you are interested in this program option, please consult your employer.
