Health Care Aide Careers

Full-Time Delivery

• Downtown Edmonton campus
• Monday to Friday, daytime
• Instructor-led seminars, labs, and clinical practice
• 21 weeks, which includes a four-week clinical practice

Admission Requirements

• Grade 10 level English or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements; the cost of a criminal record check ($30 approx.) is a student responsibility.
• Up-to-date immunization record, including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities needed for lab and clinical practice courses
• Computer skills are an asset.

Clinical Requirements for Full-Time and Part-Time Programs

• CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate (Level C).
• Hepatitis B immunization
• Both BLS and immunization will be offered during the HCA program; you do not need to obtain these on your own (Downtown Edmonton campus only).

Part-Time Delivery

The part-time delivery method allows you to continue working and complete the HCA program at the same time. We offer both evening and distance education parttime programs. Evening part-time programs are offered in Edmonton and communities throughout Alberta (regional). Our distance education program can be taken from anywhere in the province. Labs and workshops for distance students will be held in designated locations, which may require you to travel.

Evening Part-Time

• Downtown Edmonton campus
• Instructor-led seminars, labs, and clinical practice
• Two evenings per week and some Saturdays
• 24 to 31 weeks
• Seven-week part-time clinical practice

Regional Part-Time

• 24 to 31 weeks
• Instructor-led seminars, labs and clinical practice
• Four-week clinical practice
• Olds – October 13, 2009 to May 7, 2010 Currently Running
• Stony Plain – October 26, 2009 to May 21, 2010 Currently Running
• Wetaskiwin – November 2, 2009 to May 28, 2010 Currently Running

Distance Education Part-Time Delivery

• Paced course study (Course work may be completed at home.)
• Mandatory attendance at weekend lab sessions to practice skills (Some lab sessions may include guest speakers.)
• Instructor assistance by telephone or email
• Course exams proctored in your community
• Four-week, full-time, pre-arranged clinical practice at a facility in your geographic location, with an assigned clinical mentor
• NorQuest instructor present at clinical sites for supervision and evaluation

Admission Requirements

• Grade 10 level English or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements; the cost of a criminal record check ($30 approx.) is a student responsibility.
• Up-to-date immunization record, including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities needed for lab and clinical practice courses
• Computer skills are an asset.

Clinical Requirements for Full-Time and Part-Time Programs

• CPR - Basic Life Support for Health-Care Providers certificate (Level C).
• Hepatitis B immunization
• Both BLS and immunization will be offered during the HCA program; you do not need to obtain these on your own (Downtown Edmonton campus only).

Specialized HCA Workplace Distance Education Delivery

Workplace Distance Education (In service)

The HCA Workplace Distance Education Delivery (WDED) 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.

With this delivery method, you are able to combine work and school by studying at home and practicing your skills at work. Currently 350 agencies are registered with NorQuest and offer workplace distance education to their front-line caregivers. If you are interested in this program option, please consult your employer.

Monthly start dates are available. Students have one year to complete the entire program.

Workplace Distance Education – Lodge

This delivery method is aimed at the employee who works in a lodge. Offered throughout Alberta, this distance learning, self-paced delivery option is supervised by professional staff. Learning while on the job allows you to continue working as you increase your educational qualifications.

Self-paced study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer. Clinical practice may be offered full-time in a continuing care agency.

Monthly start dates are available. Students have 8 months to complete the entire program.

Admission Requirements

• Grade 10 level English or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements; the cost of a criminal record check ($30 approx.) is a student responsibility.
• Up-to-date immunization record, including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities needed for lab and clinical practice courses
• Computer skills are an asset.

Health Care Aide – Workplace Distance Education (In service) applicants only:

• All admission requirements listed above, 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

Health Care Aide – Lodge applicants only

• All admission requirements listed above and currently employed as a front-line caregiver in a participating lodge

PSA to HCA Bridge

The PSA to HCA Bridge is a supplementary course that provides graduates of the NorQuest College Personal Support Aide (PSA) program the opportunity to meet the new Health Care Aide standards. You must be a graduate of the NorQuest College Personal Support Aide program after 1996. This course includes a self-study booklet and a skills workshop.

You will learn the following basic knowledge and skills as they apply to the health care aide:

• The role and responsibilities of the HCA
• Child care
• Treating skin breakdown
• Tube feeding
• Elimination
• Medication delivery
• Dementia

A written exam and skills evaluation component is part of this course. You will have 6 months to complete course requirements. Monthly start dates are available.

Admission Requirements

• Grade 10 level English or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements; the cost of a criminal record check ($30 approx.) is a student responsibility.
• Up-to-date immunization record, including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities needed for lab and clinical practice courses
• Computer skills are an asset.

PSA to HCA Bridge applicants only:

• Must have graduated from the NorQuest College Personal Support Aide program after 1996 •
• Must be employed as a care provider

Health Care Aide PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)

The HCA PLAR process is for individuals currently employed as nursing attendants or personal support workers who believe they have the skills and knowledge to meet the standards for a Health Care Aide certificate. Students have six months to complete this self-study program. Start by giving the Health Careers Special Projects and Continuing Education office a call at 780.644.6369.

Once you have applied, you must complete a self-assessment audit. The Health Careers Special Projects and Continuing Education office will identify your knowledge and skill gaps.

Steps in the PLAR process:

1. Self-assessment audit and analysis
2. Individualized study plan
3. Self-study
4. Assessment of knowledge and skills

The following assessments can be done at your place of work or at NorQuest College, Downtown Edmonton campus. Assessments are done by NorQuest instructors. The assessments are completed in the following order:

1. Theory assessment
2. Skills assessment
3. Clinical assessment
4. Final exam

HCA PLAR Course Listing (2009/10)

Admission Requirements

• Grade 10 level English or equivalent
• Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check. More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program in accordance with work placement requirements; the cost of a criminal record check ($30 approx.) is a student responsibility.
• Up-to-date immunization record, including hepatitis B
• Health status questionnaire completed and submitted
• Must have the physical and mental abilities needed for lab and clinical practice courses
• Computer skills are an asset.

For More Information on HCA PLAR:
Health and Human Service Careers Special Projects and
Continuing Education Office 780.644.6369