Health Care Aide Careers
- Certificate
- Daytime, evening, and distance education classes
- Fall, winter and spring starts
- Learn in the workplace; monthly admission
Program Overview
If you are a caring person who likes to help others, the Health Care Aide (HCA) program may be for you. NorQuest College is licensed to deliver the Alberta Health and Wellness HCA provincial curriculum. This program is available full-time, part-time, and by distance education. The part-time delivery method allows you to continue working and complete the HCA program at the same time. Our distance education program can be taken from anywhere in the province. Labs and workshops for distance students will be held at the downtown Edmonton campus, which may require students to travel.
Applicants are requested to review the requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of health care aide.
As a health care aide, you must be able to:
- Work shifts and weekends
- Be on your feet for extended periods of time
- Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
- Function effectively in stressful situations
- Perform all skills independently
Course Delivery Options
There are several delivery options available to Health Care Aide students. (See course delivery options below).Beginning Fall 2011, enjoy the new flexibility of the Health Care Aide program and create your own schedule. Once admitted to the program, you can register in instructor-led classes held at the downtown Edmonton campus during the day or evening (Monday to Friday), remotely via distance delivery, or online through eCampus Alberta. You will be able to mix and match course delivery options to build a schedule that works for you.
Day or Evening
- Downtown Edmonton campus
- Monday to Friday, daytime and evening
- Saturday classes possible
- Instructor-led classes, labs, and clinical practice
- Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice
eCampus Alberta (Online)
- Learning material delivered online
- Term of approximately eight months
Distance Delivery
- Paced course study (not online)
- Instructor assistance by telephone or email
- Mandatory attendance at weekend lab sessions (Some lab sessions may include guest speakers.)
Program Delivery Options
The Health Care Aide program is also delivered in the following prescribed ways. Once admitted to this program delivery method, students will complete the program in the time allotted.
Distance Education Delivery
- Paced course study (not online)
- Instructor assistance by telephone or email
- Mandatory attendance at weekend lab sessions (Some lab sessions may include guest speakers.)
- Course exams proctored in your community
- 32 weeks, which includes two practicums totalling 200 hours of clinical practice at a facility in your geographic location, with an assigned clinical mentor
- Site visits, supervision, and evaluation done by a NorQuest instructor
- Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice
Regional Part-Time Delivery
- Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Hinton, and select communities throughout Alberta, based on interest
- Westaskiwin Campus
November 15, 2011 - June 22, 2012
- Stony Plain Campus
November 1, 2011 - June 4, 2012
- Campus Alberta - Hinton
November 15, 2011 - June 22, 2012
- 34 weeks, which includes two practicums local totalling 200 hours of clinical practice
- Variable start dates
- Self-study with instructor-led labs and clinical practice; instructor support by phone or email
- Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice
Workplace Education
The HCA Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with continuing care and home care employers. Self-paced study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer. Monthly start dates are available, and students have one year to complete the program.
With this delivery method, you are able to combine work and school by studying at home and practising your skills at work. If you are interested in this program option, please consult your employer.
Career Potential
- Continuing care institutions
- Home care agencies
- Group homes
- Lodges
- Assisted or supportive living
- Day programs
- Specialized care centres and programs
- Acute care hospitals
- Private care
Admission Requirements (2011-2012)
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent (GED is accepted; must have successfully completed the Language Arts Reading and Writing skills portion)
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.
- Copies of records for any immunizations that you have received in the past. Note: Additional immunizations may be required prior to clinical practice. Immunization will be offered during the HCA program (Downtown Edmonton campus only).
Health Care Aide - Workplace Distance Education applicants only:
- All program admission requirements listed, except the criminal record check and immunization record, which are not a requirement for this delivery
- Must be currently employed as a front-line caregiver in a participating agency
Admission Requirements (2012-2013)
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent (CLB 6 or higher or GED is accepted; students must have successfully completed the Language Arts Reading and Writing skills portion of GED)
- Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion, and professional licensure and therefore may affect employment prospects. Prospective students who have a criminal record should discuss the matter with the Program Chair prior to applying for admission.
- Copies of records of any immunizations that you have received in the past.
Note: Additional immunizations may be required prior to clinical practice.
Health Care Aide - Workplace Distance Education applicants only:
All program admission requirements listed, except the criminal record check and immunization record, which are not a requirement for this delivery.
- Must be currently employed as a front-line caregiver in a participating agency
Bridge to Health Care Aide Admission Route
Applicants who successfully complete the Bridge to Health Care Aide program with a minimum 70% program average and a minimum of CLB 6/7 will be exempt from meeting the English Language Arts requirement.
Progression
Students must attain a pass grade in each course to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses.
Credential
After successfully completing all program requirements, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest Health Care Aide certificate.
Honours Criteria
- Overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
- The student has not failed or repeated any courses.
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to our Tuition and Fees page for the 2011/12 tuition and fees schedule.
Program Outline (2011/12)
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| Program of Study |
16 weeks |
|
| HLTH 2000 |
Safe Work Practices |
2.0 |
| HLTH 2001 |
Introduction to Activities of Daily Living |
3.0 |
| HLTH 2002 |
Assisting with Medication Delivery |
1.0 |
| HLTH 2003 |
Working with Clients with a Diagnosis of Dementia-“A Moment in Time” |
1.0 |
| HLTH 2004 |
Health Care Aide Integrated Practicum I |
1.0 |
| HLTH 2005 |
Working and Communicating in a Health Care Environment |
3.0 |
| HLTH 2006 |
Structure and Function of the Human Body, Health and Chronic Illness |
3.0 |
| HLTH 2007 |
Activities of Daily Living |
2.0 |
| HLTH 2008 |
Skills for Assisting Clients with Complex Care |
2.0 |
| HLTH 2009 |
Special Care for Diverse Clients |
2.0 |
| HLTH 2010 |
Health Care Aide Integrated Practicum II |
5.0 |
| XHCA 1000 |
Comprehensive Final Exam |
0.0 |
| |
Program
Total |
25.0 |
Health Care Aide PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)
The HCA PLAR process is a certification process for individuals who have had 1,000 hours of experience in the past three years working as a nursing attendant or personal support worker and believe they have the skills and knowledge to meet the standards for a NorQuest Health Care Aide certificate.
Please contact the Faculty of Health Studies at 780.644.6369 to request your HCA PLAR application package.
Admission Requirements (2011-2012)
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent (GED is accepted; must have successfully completed the Language Arts Reading and Writing skills portion)
Admission Requirements (2012-2013)
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent (CLB 6 or higher or GED is accepted; must have successfully completed the Language Arts Reading and Writing skills portion)
Once you have applied, you must complete a self-assessment to determine whether you qualify for any or all of the PLAR courses. A PLAR instructor will meet with you to identify your present knowledge and skill level and to determine whether the PLAR process is right for you.
The PLAR process consists of two parts.
Part 1:
- Complete a self-assessment of your current knowledge and skills.
- Submit an original transcript showing successful completion of Grade 10 English Language Arts, or pass the reading comprehension exam.
- Meet with a PLAR instructor to review your self-assessment and determine whether you have the theory and skills needed to obtain your NorQuest HCA certificate through the PLAR process.
Part 2:
- If recommended, you will be issued an individualized learner plan for self-study.
- You will complete the required residency course, HLTH 2005, by self-study.
- You will achieve a passing grade in the theory exam for each remaining course.
- You will achieve a "satisfactory" mark in the skills assessment for each applicable course.
- You will achieve a passing grade in the final, cumulative exam.
You must succeed at each level in order to continue with the PLAR process. The lab skills assessments will be done at NorQuest College, Downtown Edmonton campus. Assessments are done by NorQuest instructors.
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