Health Care Aide Certificate in Calgary

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for entry into a licensed HCA program.

1. Academic English Language Arts (ELA)
- English 20-1 or 20-2 with a minimum score of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent;
OR
- English 30-1 or 30-2 with a minimum of 55%; or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent, such as a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma; General Education Development-test (GED); or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).
- Deemed equivalent by completion of Next-Generation ACCUPLACER (assessment placement test) reading and writing tests, with a minimum score of 237 in each category. The math test is not required.

Note: Students who have not met the ELA requirement (i.e., 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, or 30-2 English level) with the minimum grade are subject to completing the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER assessment test. This can include students out of province, out of country, or mature students that have been out of school for a significant length of time.

2. English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Candidates where English is a Second Language (ESL) must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement.
Equivalencies are as follows:
- By presenting a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development-test (GED)) or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC)., or
- 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
- 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 an Approved ELP Test with the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): A minimum CLB of 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and not an average of 7.
- Official test results must be submitted directly to ABM College.
- ABM College will accept submissions from any one of the following approved ELP tests:

Approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Tests:
1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6 (no section score below 5.5);
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL iBT): 71;
3. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: 7 (with no section score below 6);
4. Canadian Language Benchmarks Tests (7 in each strand, not an average of 7);
5. Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 95); and
6. 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.

Digital Literacy
Candidates must possess knowledge of computer/technology tools to be successful in the program. Candidates must:
- 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

PLAR/Transfer Credit Guidelines:
ABM College does not provide Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) or transfer credit options for its Health Care Aide (HCA) program. However, these alternatives may be available through other Alberta government-licensed post-secondary institutions that offer approved HCA programs.
https://www.clha.com/for-the-public/education/approved-health-care-aide-programs/

LAB Requirements and Expectations
The laboratory environment is designed to simulate professional healthcare settings and provide students with opportunities to develop clinical skills in a safe and respectful learning environment.

Students are expected to:
- Attend all scheduled laboratory sessions and arrive on time.
- Wear approved program scrubs and appropriate footwear.
- Bring Lab Skills Guide and HCA Skills Checklist during lab sessions.
- Each lab skill will be evaluated on a pass or fail grading system.
Failure to comply with laboratory requirements, safety standards, or professional conduct expectations may result in removal from the laboratory session and may affect successful course completion.

Clinical Placement Experiences
Students will have met the theory requirements and laboratory skills (practice and assessment) before they are permitted in the clinical setting. The program includes a total of 320 clinical placement hours. This component is delivered through three separate clinical courses, providing students with opportunities to apply and integrate the theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired throughout the program in real-world healthcare settings. Students gain hands-on experience while developing the competencies required for professional practice as a Health Care Aide.

Clinical placement courses are as follows:
Course 5 Clinical Placement 1 – Instructor led supervision
Course 8 Clinical Placement 2 – Instructor led supervision
Course 9 Consolidated Clinical Placement – Indirect Remote supervision

Pre-Clinical Placement Requirements
All required documentation must be submitted prior to your clinical placement courses. It is the responsibility of the student to pay necessary fees to submit the following:
1. Valid CPR /First Aid certification
2. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
3. Immunization records, including:
    Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
    Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing
    Hepatitis B vaccination
    Seasonal influenza vaccination
    Covid 19 vaccination
4. N95 Fit Test

Clinical Placements
Clinical placements occur in a variety of health care settings. You must make your own arrangements for transportation to the clinical placement facilities. Starting times may vary from placement to placement and duration of shifts. Shift duration is eight-hours long that can be days and/or evenings and possibly weekends.

Program Completion Requirements
To graduate from the Health Care Aide Program and receive the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum (2019) Certificate, students must successfully complete all program requirements, including theory courses, skills laboratory training, and clinical placements.

Students must achieve a minimum final grade of 70% in each theory course to successfully pass the program. The Skills Lab and Clinical Placement components are evaluated using a Pass/Fail grading system, and students must receive a passing grade in both components to qualify for graduation.

After you graduate, you will be required to pass the Alberta HCA Registration Exam in order to obtain licensure with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta (CLHA).

Registration with CLHA and booking your AHRE takes place after program completion and involves additional fees not included in program tuition. Graduates are responsible for all related costs and completing the required registration process.