Health Care Aide - Government of Alberta

Program Office: 403.320.3310 • healthcareaide@lethbridgecollege.ca
Centre for Health and Wellness Work-Integrated Learning Office: 403.320.3202 Ext. 5380

Advance your desire to help by choosing to embark on a career as a Health Care Aide (HCA) who provides direct care, personal assistance and support to patients who are ill, elderly or disabled. This Government of Alberta program is delivered through a mix of theory, lab and work-integrated learning experiences, the Health Care Aide program prepares you to become a valued member of the health care team.

In the classroom, you’ll develop an understanding of safe work practices, client support and hygiene, medication delivery and everything else you need to know to positively affect the lives of patients each day. During your work-based practical experiences, you’ll put theory into practice, providing client-focused services and assistance with daily living activities.

Your Investment

Program fees will vary. To view fee information for your program, go to lethbridgecollege.ca/programs and select your program.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, and successfully passing the Alberta Provincial HCA Examination, students are awarded a Health Care Aide certificate.

New applicants are accepted into the Health Care Aide program for the Fall (September) term.

General Admissions Requirements

All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

Academic Requirements

Applicants to this program do not require a high school diploma; however, they must satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):

Grade 11 English (equivalent to Alberta's English 20-1 or English 20-2) with a minimum score of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent; or
Grade 12 English (equivalent to Alberta's English 30-1 or 30-2) with a minimum of 55% or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent; or
Deemed equivalency by completion of ACCUPLACER (assessment placement test) reading and writing tests, with a minimum score of 237 in each category.

Applicants where English is a Second Language (ESL) must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement. Equivalencies are as follows:

By attending high school in Canada. Studies must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic
study; or
By presenting a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development test (GED))
By providing evidence of attending two consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English in a subject other than a HCA program at a Canadian institution; or
By completing one of the Approved ELP Tests.
Official test results must be submitted directly to the PSI.

Approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Tests:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6 (no section score below 5.5);
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL iBT): 71;
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: 7 (with no section score below 6);
Canadian Language Benchmarks Tests/Milestones Test (7 in each strand, not an average of 7);
Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 95); and
Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): 7 in each area of listening, reading, writing and speaking, not an average of 7.
Notes
Test Currency: results must have been obtained within two years of the start date of the program.
Test Validity: IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing.
Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program will not be accepted

It is recommended applicants possess the following knowledge of computer/technology tools to be successful in the program.

Be able to communicate, research and understand information
Know how to use computer to surf web, email
Be able to critically evaluate and understand how technology can affect one’s behavior
Be able to create, produce content and effectively communicate using email, media, internet

Plan of Study Grid
Course	Title	Credits
Year 1
Term I
HCA-1130	Health Care Aide Role and Responsibility	3
HCA-1131	The Human Body, Health and Chronic Illness	3
HCA-1132	Communication and Documentation in the Health Care Environment	3
HCA-1133	Providing Person-Centered Care and Comfort	6
HCA-1134	Clinical Placement I	3
	Credits	18
Term II
HCA-1135	Meeting Complex Care Needs	6
HCA-1136	Special Activities for Clients With Various Health Conditions	6
HCA-1137	Clinical Placement II	6
HCA-1138	Consolidated Clinical Placement	3
	Credits	21
	Total Credits	39

Important Note:

Students graduating from the program are required by Alberta Health to register into the Alberta HCA Directory. The academic program is required to provide graduates names directly to the Alberta HCA Directory.
Students must pass the Alberta Provincial HCA examination to graduate from the program and receive a certificate. A student has a maximum of 60 days from program completion to write and pass the Provincial Examination within three attempts (initial examination and two re-writes). Students who are not successful in passing the Provincial HCA Exam must re-enroll and re-take the entire HCA Program. Details and fees associated with writing the provincial exam will be provided prior to registration in the Health Care Aide program.
Students seeking Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) should contact the Program Chair immediately upon accepted admission to the program to allow sufficient time for assessment.
Students receive a program handbook upon acceptance into the program outlining the program's policies and expectations. It is very important for learners to review and understand these requirements.
Students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70% in each course to pass.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements

This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.

Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).

Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.

Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.

In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.

WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.

Academic Calendar and Course Catalog