Columbia has been preparing students to become Health Care Aides (HCA’s) since 2003, establishing a reputation for excellence within the industry and a record of successfully employed graduates.
Health Care Aides are a vital part of the healthcare workforce, providing essential health services and support with daily living activities for clients facing medical conditions or functional limitations. HCA’s operate under the direct or indirect supervision of regulated health professionals, such as nurses, in various settings, including hospitals, home care, assisted living, and long-term care facilities.
Program Highlights
- Delivery: Hybrid (In-Person with Online Components)
- Duration: 32 weeks (24 weeks Theory/Lab + 8 weeks Practicum)
- Intake: June, October, January
- Program Type: Certificate
100% Employment Rate
2024-2025
83% Graduation Rate
2024-2025
Program Details
Columbia’s Health Care Aide program aligns with the Government of Alberta Health Provincial Curriculum (2019), ensuring a comprehensive and high-standard education.
Upon completing our 32-week program, graduates are required to pass a provincial certification exam. Successful candidates are awarded Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Certificate, marking their readiness to enter this rewarding field.
Personalized Learning & Support
We believe in personalized education and maintain optimal facilitator-to-student ratios to ensure quality learning and individual attention, with ratios of 1:12 in the classroom/lab and 1:8 in practicums.
Program Structure
The program spans 32 weeks, divided into two main components:
- Theory/Lab Sessions:
- Duration: 24 weeks
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, 4-hour classes
- Format: Engaging and interactive, combining theoretical knowledge with practical lab work
- Practicum:
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Schedule: 8-hour shifts, which can be scheduled any day of the week, providing real-world experience in a healthcare setting
Support & Additional Learning:
- Supported Tutorials are available every Friday from 12 pm – 5 pm.
- Online learning activities designed to complement your in-class learning.
Program Delivery
Our Health Care Aide program offers a unique blend of online and on-site learning experiences, designed to provide comprehensive training in a structured and supportive environment. Important Note: The program cannot be completed entirely online. Students must be present in Calgary for in-person theory classes, all lab classes, and clinical placements.
- Theory Classes (Hybrid: In-Person and Online/Virtual Classes) Our theory classes are delivered via a hybrid distance learning model, combining in-person and online instruction through Microsoft 365 Teams.
- Lab Classes (In-Person) Complementing our virtual classrooms, lab classes are conducted on-site at the college, ensuring you gain practical skills and experience in a controlled and professional setting
- Clinical Placements: As part of the program, you will have clinical placements at designated sites. These placements are integral to your learning, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.
- Class Scheduling:
- All courses, whether theory, lab, or clinical, follow a regular semester schedule. Designed to mirror the time frame of face-to-face classes, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
- During your studies, you’ll engage in various interactive learning formats, including but not limited to:
- Interactive webinars
- Discussion forums
- Group work
- Daily tests
This format ensures that you not only gain knowledge but also develop critical thinking, teamwork, and practical skills essential for a successful career as a Health Care Aide.
Practicum Experience
Students are required to travel to various locations for their clinical and practicum placements, gaining exposure to different healthcare environments.
While placements are provided based on availability and every effort is made to accommodate students within the program’s timeframe, please note that in rare instances, a delay in program completion may occur until a suitable placement is secured.
Our current Practicum Partners include the following institutions:
- Alberta Health Services
- Age Care
- Bethany Care Society
- Brenda Stafford Foundation
- Intercare Corporation
- Covenant Health
Employment Prospects for Health Care Aide Graduates
Graduates can potentially earn between $20 to $25 per hour as a Health Care Aide in Alberta, with opportunities for advancement and increased earnings as they gain experience in their field.
Equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in various healthcare settings. They play a crucial role in delivering compassionate care and support across a spectrum of environments, including:
- Acute care hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Group homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Home care services in the community
Diverse Roles in Healthcare
- Personal Care Attendant
- Nursing Assistant
- Nurse’s Aide Assistant
- Home Health Care Aide
Prospective students who are 18 years of age and under can apply through Standard Admission, meeting the following criteria:
- Alberta high school diploma, verified by transcript, or non-Alberta equivalent,
- Academic English Language Arts:
- Minimum 55% in English 30-1 or English 30-2 or equivalent, or minimum 60% in English 20-1 or English 20-2 or equivalent or successfully meet entry levels on Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment test.
Prospective students who are 19 years of age or older can apply through Mature Admission, meeting the following criteria:
- Have been out of high school for 1 year
- Have met academic English requirements or successfully meet entry levels on Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment test or equivalent.
Additional Requirements
- Attend Columbia College’s Health Care Aide Orientation prior to the start of the program.
- Admissions interview(s) to determine suitability for the profession and opportunity for success in the program.
Courses at Columbia College are taught in Canadian English. To qualify for admission, learners must demonstrate their language proficiency, typically through their high school or post-secondary transcripts, or through an academic assessment test.
- For those who English is not their first language, a minimum benchmark of CLB 7 in all skills (L/R/W/S) is required.
- Other options to meet the English Proficiency requirements can be found at this link: https://www.alberta.ca/health-care-aide-program
Important Note: Students submitting transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements, may still be required to write Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment test after an admissions file review and formal interview with the Program Manager. See the Academic Proficiency Requirements section for further details.
The following requirements must be met prior the start of your program and/or practicum:
- Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
- Heart and Stroke BLS
- N95 Mask Fit Test
- Up-to-date Immunization Record: to facilitate your Work Integrated Learning placement with our external partners, the following immunizations are mandatory:
- Rubella vaccination
- Due: Proof of Rubella vaccination must be received prior to completing enrollment contract and attending orientation.
- Annual influenza vaccinations
- Due: Proof of vaccination must be received prior to start of first clinical placement.
- COVID-19 vaccinations
- Due: proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for many of the sites. Failure to provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination will delay program completion.
- Rubella vaccination
- Other immunizations are strongly recommended.
Need to upgrade your skills to meet entry requirements?
Learn more about our College Prep courses, designed to help you meet the entry levels for our programs – available at a 100% tuition discount for those who qualify!
Additional Information
Up to $9,000 in bursaries available to Health Care Aides!
The Government of Alberta tuition bursary for students who are starting their Health Care Aide program is back and applications are now open!
- This bursary is provided by the Government of Alberta and administered by NorQuest College in Edmonton, AB. NorQuest reviews and approves submitted applications based on a student’s eligibility.
- Students do not have to attend NorQuest College to be granted the bursary. Columbia College’s students are eligible for the bursary.
- Note: Please note that funding will be open on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants. Applying does not guarantee a bursary award.
Bursary Details:
Up to $9,000 (split into two installments) – on approval of Eligible Student’s Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary application form by NorQuest College and applicant signing a return of service agreement.
You will receive the first payment of $3,000 upon submission of:
- Proof of successful completion of courses one through five of the Health Care Aide Workplace Bursary Program.
You will receive the second payment of $6,000 upon:
- Successful completion of an Alberta licensed program, including the provincial final exam and submission of:
- post-secondary official transcript;
- or ‘certified’ status of enrollment into the Alberta Health Care Aide directory.
Eligibility
Regular Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary:
- You are enrolled in an Alberta licensed health care aide program that began on or after July 1, 2022.
- Preference will be given if you are attending a health care aide program full-time or currently working for an identified continuing care operator in a non-clinical capacity.
- You have submitted a Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary application form along with the supporting documents.
- You are willing and able to sign a return of service agreement with NorQuest College.
- Students can apply to any post-secondary institution with a health care aide program. Students completing the HCA ELL (English Language Learner) program are not eligible for the HCA Bursary.
For full eligibility details, visit: https://abhcabursaries.ca/health-care-aide-tuition-bursary-program.aspx
To Apply:
- Click Here: https://abhcabursaries.ca/health-care-aide-tuition-bursary-program.aspx
- You will be asked to provide proof of enrolment in a licensed AB HCA Certificate program
- Submit a return to service agreement.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or need help with the application. We are here to help support you.
To graduate from this program, students must:
- successfully complete all Health Care Aide courses
- achieve an overall program grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
- upon completion of our program, graduates are required to pass a provincial certification exam.
- successful students are awarded Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Certificate, marking their readiness to enter this rewarding field.
Plan your future with clarity with our transparent tuition and general fees structure, effective from August 1 each year. For detailed information about tuition, fees, and costs associated with the program please visit our Tuition and Fees Page.
Additional Fees
In addition to program tuition and fees, students student may incur additional fees. The below fees are an approximation.
- Uniforms and duty shoes: $300
- Current Heart & Stroke Foundation Health Care Provider Level (C) CPR: $85
- Exam Fee: $200 (full exam fee schedule)
- Immunizations: $240
- N95 Mask Fit: $45
Refund of Tuition Fees
Please refer to the Student Contract of Tuition form for details of tuition refund policy. This form and more details regarding our refund policy are available from your Admissions Advisor.
At Columbia College, we understand the value of your prior learning and experience in health care. Whether you’ve gained knowledge through formal education, work experience, or certifications, our Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process is here to help you turn your hard-earned expertise into credits for the Health Care Aide (HCA) program.
The PLAR process is designed to be straightforward and supportive, guiding you every step of the way. By using the detailed Process document, you’ll learn how to gather and submit the necessary documentation, develop your portfolios, and work with a PLAR advisor to create a personalized plan.
We’re excited to help you fast-track your journey toward completing the HCA program and achieving your professional goals. Click the link below to get started with the PLAR Process document, and feel free to reach out to our HCA program office if you have any questions. Let’s begin this rewarding journey together!
Supporting your academic journey is our priority. Tutoring services are readily available for those who need extra guidance. Please reach out to your Program Chair or Coordinator to access this resource
Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 50 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 1
- Assessments Yes
