Health Care Aide Program
Contact:
Sheila McKay
Program Information:
E-mail: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
This program prepares the graduate to work in continuing care facilities (auxiliary hospitals and nursing homes) as well as in clients' homes to assist the client with activities of daily living.
Please check with the Registrar's Office for the dates of the next offering.
Related Careers
Health Care Aides may work in continuing care, in clients' homes or in hospital.
The Program
The HCA program consists of module learning as well as clinical practice supervised by a program instructor in a continuing care facility. Following the supervised clinical practice, students complete two (2) preceptored clinical experiences - one in a continuing care facility and one in the community. Students must pass all required courses in order to meet the requirements of the HCA program.
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of five Grade 10 subjects including Math (or equivalency testing) *
OR
G.E.D.
- Satisfactory score on the English component of the College Board Placement Test or the Test of Adult Basic Education on a 15 minute writing sample. Applicants with successful completion of ELA 30-1, ELA 30-2 or an equivalent college/university level English course will be exempt from testing.
- Immunization and Testing Records Form to be completed prior to the CPR program start date.
* Equivalency testing can be arranged with the RDC Test Centre.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the above requirements the student must provide evidence of current CPR at the health care provider level. You must be recertified in each year of the program.
Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check to agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical placement, program completion and therefore, may affect employment prospects. It is each agency's or institution's decision to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check. Prospective students who have a criminal record should discuss the matter with the department Chair prior to applying for admission.
Program Content
- HCA 120 HCA Theory I
- HCA 121 HCA Theory II
- HCA 122 HCA Supervised Clinical Practice
- HCA 123 HCA Preceptored Clinical Practice
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of all required courses.