Health Care Aide Certificate in Calgary

Next Start Dates: Monday, Feb 2, 2026

In-person

32 Weeks

Varying Schedule

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Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Student Testimonials

Readiness Quiz

Health Care Aide
Diploma Summary

Students of ABM College's Health Care Aide Certificate Calgary 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.

Health Care Aides (HCAs) are an unregulated workforce that provide basic health services and support with daily living activities for clients who have medical conditions or major functional limitations. HCAs work under the direct, indirect or indirect remote supervision of a regulated health professional, such as a nurse, in a variety of settings including, but not limited to:
• Home Care
• Assisted Living Facilities
• Long-Term Care
• Acute Care Hospitals
• Private Agencies
• Individual Clients

PLAR Transfer Credit Guidelines:

PLAR allows you to obtain course credit through a 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.

HCA PLAR Student Guide

Health Care Aide
Certificate Highlights

To give ABM College Health Care Aide graduates a competitive edge in the industry, our program offers the following essential certifications (available at an additional cost):

First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certificate

This training is a clinical requirement for practicum placement and a vital, job-ready skill for Health Care Aide graduates.

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) Certificate

Healthcare facilities highly value this certification and support workplace safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

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.

Health Care Aide Information Kit

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Health Care Aide Course Curriculum

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.

This course must be completed before the start of Course 7 (Special Activities for Clients with Various Health Conditions)
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.

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 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, 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.

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-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.

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. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned throughout the health care aide program, which will guide you in providing person-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must be out of high school for at least two years.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to admission.
Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.
Passing score on the Accuplacer Test for Academic English Language Arts (ELA).
Passing score on the Duolingo English Test for English Language Proficiency (ELP).
Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.
Requirements set by AB Health.

For any other program or region-specific requirements, please contact one of our Admissions Advisors.

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.

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
• 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 the PSI.
• PSIs will accept submissions from any one of the following approved ELP tests:

Domestic Detailed Admission Requirements

Student Recommendations of ABM College

I loved every minute of going to ABM College, I felt they prepared me so well for my course and for what's to come after graduation. I could not be happier with my education and now my successful career as a Health Care Aide.

Kelly Reis, Alberta
ABM College helped me to pursue my dream job. At first, I was hesitant because I thought doing classes online is not so easy. But they have flexible hours to attend so working students can choose a time to work with your schedule. All instructors are very approachable and staff are very accommodating. A great school that I will not forget.

Bhing Sayson-Cuadra, Saskatchewan
Deborah Cheesman
I studied the Diploma program in Business Administration and graduated May 2022. The teachers I had were all amazing! They are very good at what they do and help us as much as they can. They share their knowledge and experiences and help the students in every way.

Emma Rose Lontoc, Alberta
Erlinda Harn
I studied Medical Office Assistant & Unit Clerk at ABM College. The decision was difficult for me in my 40’s with kids and work, but I had great experience with online lessons. Thanks to my Instructors for always supporting and helping me. A good decision to study at ABM College.

Rafaela Goyena, Alberta
Ian Morales
Being a student of theMedical Office Assistant and Unit Clerkprogram was a great platform to change my career in the medical field. As I finished my studies, a lot of opportunities opened up to me to work as a unit clerk in the Saskatchewan Health Region.

Cheryle Pascua, Saskatchewan
Highly recommend it for professionals who need to upgrade their skills. I took the Digital Marketing Diploma and really liked it. It helped me increase my skills and build up my confidence. Teachers and staff were all very kind and helpful.

Marlene Rados, Alberta

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Latest News & Blogs

May 30, 2024 in

Health

Health Care Aide Certificate in Calgary

Program Overview

Health Care Aide
Diploma Summary

Health Care Aide
Certificate Highlights

Career Opportunities

Salary Range

Health Care Aide Certificate Information Kit

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

Health Care Aide Information Kit

Health Care Aide Course Curriculum

Admissions Requirements

Student Recommendations of ABM College

Take Our College Readiness Quiz

Latest News & Blogs

Transforming Lives: The Journey of Marie Djiegoue as a Health Care Aide Graduate

International Nurses Day – Honouring Healthcare Heroes Across Canada

Health Care Aide Day – A Celebration of Dedication and Empathy

Calgary Campus

Enrollment Inquiries

Health Care Aide Certificate in Calgary

Program Overview

Health Care Aide Diploma Summary

Health Care AideCertificate Highlights

Career Opportunities

Salary Range

Health Care Aide Certificate Information Kit

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

Health Care Aide Information Kit

Health Care Aide Course Curriculum

Admissions Requirements

Student Recommendations of ABM College

Take Our College Readiness Quiz

Latest News & Blogs

Transforming Lives: The Journey of Marie Djiegoue as a Health Care Aide Graduate

International Nurses Day – Honouring Healthcare Heroes Across Canada

Health Care Aide Day – A Celebration of Dedication and Empathy

Calgary Campus

Enrollment Inquiries

Health Care Aide
Diploma Summary

Health Care Aide
Certificate Highlights