Health Care Aide Certificate

"The Health Care Aide Program gave me the insight along with the confidence to work with clients to give them the best care. This program was a good basis for me to continue to grow and expand my skills and knowledge in home care and in nursing home settings." (Graduate of the HCA Program)

The Health Care Aide Program (HCA) at RDC will prepare you to assist in providing safe and comfortable care to clients in a wide variety of settings such as continuing care facilities, group homes, client homes, and occasionally in specialty areas. Students are provided with opportunities to practice giving care to others during this program in clinical agencies in our health region. In this program you will learn the essential knowledge and skills needed to work as a HCA.

RDC uses the Alberta Health and Wellness Provincial Curriculum to teach this program. In fact, RDC was chosen to pilot this curriculum. By January, 2011, all individuals employed in a HCA position will require certification or be deemed competent by their Employer, i.e. Long Term Care Employer, that documents that they have met the competencies found in the provincial curriculum.

HCA's help others with many daily activities, contribute to a person's quality of life, and are valuable members of the health care team. If you are compassionate, patient, and enjoy working with others, then this is the program for you.

This program is offered on a part-time basis. This enables you to work while completing the program.

Entrance Requirements

Health Care Aide Program Information Sheet

All future students are required to complete the English component of the College Board Placement Test "Adult Basic Education 15 minute writing sample". Please contact call 403.342.3261 to have testing arranged.