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. NorQuest College is licensed to deliver the Health Care Aide Government of Alberta Provincial Curriculum.
Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:
- are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands.
- have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their clinical practice experiences.
- have access to a computer and basic computer skills.
- January: Edmonton full-time face-to-face – at capacity, and no longer accepting applications for the waiting list.
- March: Edmonton full-time face-to-face – seats are still available.
- Other delivery options for Winter 2017 are also still available.
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:
To research your career, you may complete a Career Investigation Report.
Program Length
21 weeks (full-time), 28 weeks (part-time/online), 8 or 12 months (workplace)Delivery Options
Full-time (FT), Part-time (PT), Hybrid, OnlineThis program is available full-time, part-time, in workplaces, and online through eCampusAlberta.
- Fall and winter starts for eCampus and Health Care Aide PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) courses
- Variable start dates for regional programs
- Monthly admission for workplace learning
- Part-time options allow you to continue working while you complete the HCA program.
- Online program can be taken anywhere in the province through eCampusAlberta. Labs and workshops for online students will be held at the downtown Edmonton campus, which may require students to travel.
The following are the program start dates for the 2016/17 Academic Year:
| Program Delivery | Fall 2016 | Winter 2017 |
| Edmonton (full-time) |
Sep 1, 2016 – Jan 19, 2017 Oct 3, 2016 – Feb 15, 2017 |
Jan 30, 2017 – Jun 7, 2017 Mar 1, 2017 – Jul 7, 2017 |
| Edmonton (part-time evenings) |
Aug 29, 2016 – Apr 7, 2017 | Mar 13, 2017 – Oct 11, 2017 |
| Drumheller (full-time online) |
Jan 31, 2017 – Jun 28, 2017 | |
| Stettler (full-time online) |
Jan 31, 2017 – Jun 28, 2017 | |
| eCampusAlberta (part-time online) |
Aug 29, 2016 – Apr 11, 2017 | Mar 9, 2017 – Oct 6, 2017 |
| Workplace delivery (8-month option) |
starts first of each month | |
| Workplace delivery (12-month option) |
starts first of each month | |
Full-time Delivery
- 21-week program
- Face-to-face daytime classes, Monday to Friday
- Instructor-led classes, labs and clinical practice
- Downtown Edmonton campus
Part-time Delivery (Edmonton)
- Part-time face-to-face evening classes
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings at the Downtown Edmonton campus
- Instructor-led classes, labs and clinical practice
- 28 weeks, which includes 2 practicums totalling 200 hours of instructor-supported clinical practice are Monday to Friday full-time days
eCampusAlberta Online Part-time Delivery
- Learning material delivered online and through accompanying textbook
- 28-week paced course study online
- Instructor assistance by email
- Course exams completed online
- Mandatory attendance in labs and workshops at the downtown Edmonton campus only
- Includes two practicums totaling 200 hours of instructor-led clinical placement within the Greater Edmonton Area, or in a facility in your geographic location with an assigned clinical mentor
- Site visits, supervision, and evaluation done by a NorQuest instructor.
Workplace Education
- This option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with continuing care and home care employers.
- Paced study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer.
- Monthly start dates are available.
- Students have choice of 8 months or 12 months to complete the program.
- Students are able to combine work and school by studying at home and practising your skills at work.
- Students interested in this program must consult their employer.
Location
Anywhere, Edmonton Downtown, WorkplaceThis program is available at all regional campuses in an online delivery format via eCampusAlberta.
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.