Health Care Aide Program

We teach with the goal of providing holistic care. This program will teach students to become a vital member of a health care team, providing client care in many settings. It is an excellent way to build your skills and confidence with a perspective of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. Indigenous ceremonies complement the curriculum and invites awareness of the importance of providing care from a holistic perspective. The curriculum provides the unique opportunity to work with individuals living with challenging issues, diseases or disabilities. Under supervision you will work directly with clients in home care, long- term care, acute-care and community settings. The program combines on-line and hands-on classroom learning with practical clinical experience and access to
ceremonial practices focusing on health and healing. UnBQ Health Care Aide program follows the Government of Alberta 2019 Provincial Curriculum.

Future Career Opportunities of a Health Care Aide

You could work in a home care setting, long-term care facility, private care home, acute care facility, integrated facility, supportive housing or special needs classroom. You will work as part of a health-care team under the supervision of registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses or licensed practical nurses.

You will likely be more successful in this program if you:

• Are in good physically and mental health, and are able to handle stressful situations
• have access to a vehicle to travel to complete your practicum
• have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• are caring, compassionate, friendly, and respectful
• are understanding, patient, gentle, and non-judgmental
• display maturity, reliability, and dependability
• Show strong organizational and time-management skills
• Communicate effectively and get along with diverse populations

Admission Requirements:

• Language Arts – this requirement can be met with any of the following, or an equivalent course:
  • Immunization record
  • Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
  • Minimum of English 20-2 (60%) or equivalent
  • 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), or
    deemed equivalent by completion of ACCUPLACER Next-Generation (assessment placement test) reading and writing tests, with a minimum score of 237 in each category. The math test is not required.
  • If academic requirement is not met, it will be necessary to complete an ACCUPLACE assessment.

Applicants who’ve completed secondary school in Canada are considered to have met the standard

Applicants whose primary language is not English can demonstrate their ELP by:

• Completing a Canadian PN program in English (CLPNA may request their English language assessment test scores)
• Provide evidence for completion of 4 years FTE post-secondary education in any subject at a Canadian institution (CLPNA may request their English language assessment test scores)
• Complete the Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) test for nurses or the IELTS (academic)