Health Care Aide Certificate

Next program start dates:

Monday, December 18, 2023

Monday, January 29, 2024

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CPR Registration

Latest Learning Equipment

Students have access to a state-of-the-art laboratory for practical learning

Extra Program Add-ons

Extensive post-program training for various certifications that students can add-on

In-City Practicums

Our students receive automatic placements at transit-accessible facilities in Calgary

Diploma

Certificate

Health Care Aide Certificate

Duration

33 Weeks

Campus

Calgary

Offered

On-site / On-line / Combine

Available

Varying Schedule

Health Care Aide Certificate

Program Overview

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Course Highlights
Career Opportunities
Salary Range
Information Kit
Readiness Quiz
Admission Requirements
Course Curriculum
Latest News

Health Care Aide Certificate Highlights

Students of ABM College's Health Care Aide Certification Program will obtain skills in the basics of human anatomy, medical terminology, chronic conditions, palliative care, and much more. This intensive program provides academic health care knowledge over the course of eight months, and includes practical experience through an extended and integrative practicum experience.

Health Care Aide graduates can pursue careers in a variety of clinical and care settings, and work with ill or elderly patients with mental health issues, dementia, as well as patients with special needs. Working environments for Health Care Aides encompass a wide variety of settings including home care agencies, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, long-term care, government agencies, and group homes.

PLAR/Transfer Credit Guidelines:

PLAR allows you to obtain course credit through formal evaluation process that recognizes skills and knowledge can be obtained through formal, informal and non-formal education, training and life experiences. Recognition is not awarded for experience; it is awarded for knowledge or skills acquired through experience. (Alberta HCA Directory)

HCA PLAR Student Guide

Take the "ABM College Digital Arts Career Training Readiness" Quiz

HCA PLAR Student Guide

Course Certifications

To give ABM College Health Care Aide graduates an upper hand in the industry, we provide students with the following additional certifications:

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI)
WHIMS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
Advanced Medication
Foot Care
Palliative Care
Supportive Pathways (Carewest)
PointClickCare Certificate
It's Your Move

Career Opportunities

Health Care Aide
Home Support Worker
Caregiver
Residential Aide
Client Care Attendant

Salary Range

Health Care Aide Certificate Information Kit

This kit includes important details on the Health Care Aide Certificate program at ABM College.

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Is this program right for you?

Take our quick readiness quiz.

The fun online quiz will take you less than 5 minutes to complete and will help us understand your career goals and the kind of setting where you would be most comfortable working.

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A young Health Care Aide graduate assists an elderly patient to ease her discomfort

Admission Requirements

Standard Admission

1. Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent. 2. Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam. 3. Passing score on the Accuplacer Test. 4. Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.

Mature Admission

1. Applicants must be out of high school for at least two years. 2. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to admission. 3. Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam. 4. Passing score on the Accuplacer Test. 5. Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.

Detailed & International Requirements

For any other program or region-specific requirements, please contact one of our Admissions Advisors. For International Students, please refer to the International Students Admission Requirements.

Domestic Detailed Admission Requirements

I have had a very good experience with ABM College. The campus has a huge facility, located close to Franklin station, providing easy access. The college has excellent teaching equipment and they really emphasize hands-on training. The lab is world class, its Health Care Aide lab is the best in Calgary. It is an exceptional place to study. And they all really have your best interest in mind. It is very multicultural too, making it easy to adapt and make friends. 10/10 would recommend.

Mashius Salam

Course Curriculum

Health Care Aide Role and Responsibilities

During this course, you will focus on the role and responsibilities of a health care aide working in a variety of employment settings. The focus of this course is to share information that will result in safe, ethical, and respectful care based on the needs of the client. Care that meets these standards is known as person-centered care. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow your employer’s policy and procedures and your job description. There are six modules in this course, and each module will give you the opportunity to become familiar with and understand the roles and responsibilities of the health care aide in Alberta.

The Human Body, Health, & Chronic Illness

This course focuses on the study of the systems that make up the human body and discusses the milestones of growth and development across the lifespan. It is an introduction to foundational knowledge of the most common of the chronic illnesses that a health care aide may encounter. The learner will describe ways to provide safe care based on evidence-informed practices according to the clients’ diagnoses, needs, and care plans. The information learned in this course will provide you with care strategies to support the client, the client’s family and yourself through the process of a client’s dying and death.

Communication and Documentation in the Health Care Environment

This course will focus on the role and responsibilities of the health care aide when communicating effectively as a member of the collaborative care team. Strong communication skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide. The health-care environment requires competent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills, which are part of digital literacy. There are five modules in this course, and each module will give you the opportunity to practice the common words and phrases used when communicating in the health-care environment. Although this course is designed to assist you to communicate effectively in your role as a health care aide, skills learned here may be used to help you be a more competent and confident communicator in many other areas of your life.

Providing Person-Centered Care & Comfort

During this course, you will learn the basic care skills that will allow you to give safe and efficient care to your clients. Providing personal grooming and hygiene care to your clients is an intimate and highly personal experience. During the theory and lab elements of this course, you will learn to approach this care in a professional and compassionate manner. Safe lifting and transferring techniques are important for client and staff comfort and safety. Opportunities to practice safe lifting, transferring, and client positioning will be provided for in both lab and practicum settings. Mealtimes are a traditional time for friends and families to gather and enjoy both good food and good company. This course will teach the principles of safely assisting clients to eat and provide guidelines for creating a safe, clean, and socially inviting dining environment.

Clinical Placement I

During this clinical placement you will experience the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional. You will have the opportunity to work in a continuing care setting such as home care, supportive living (designated supportive living or DSL), senior lodges, long term care, and group homes. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned in courses 1–4 in the clinical setting. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures. Strong verbal and written communications skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide.

Clinical Placement 2

During the second clinical placement, you will experience the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of health-care settings such as continuing care or acute care. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned in all your courses 1–7 in the clinical setting. You will provide person-centered care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures.

Meeting Complex Care Needs

This course builds on the foundational skills and concepts introduced in previous courses and also introduces new skills such as medication assistance. Learners will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge to learn advanced skills such as active and passive range-of-motion exercises, ostomy care, respiratory care, catheter care, and tube feeds. In addition, accurate measurement of vital signs is demonstrated, practiced, and assessed. This course will also assist learners to work safely within the legal roles and responsibilities of health care aides in this province while giving medication assistance, helping learners to demonstrate competence and confidence. This course is included in the HCA Preparation for Employment provincial standards.

Special Activities for Clients with Various Health Conditions

This course discusses care strategies for assisting diverse client groups such as clients with a mental health diagnosis and clients with developmental delays and physical disabilities. Graduates who become employed in home care situations may have the opportunity to work with families to provide care for infants and children, as well as caring for clients living with life-limiting illness, and who could benefit from hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care. Information and skills to assist with these care assignments are provided in this course. Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to work with a diverse client group in a variety of care settings.

Clinical Placement 3

This is the final clinical placement course where you will practice the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional and buddied with an unregulated health-care professional. You will work in a variety of health-care settings such as continuing care or acute care. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures. Strong verbal and written communications skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide. The health-care environment requires competent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.