Alberta Health Services Health Care Aide Program: Your Pathway to a Healthcare Career

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives? Do you envision a career where you provide essential care and support? If so, exploring the Alberta Health Services Health Care Aide (HCA) program could be your first step towards a fulfilling healthcare profession. Health Care Aides are vital members of the Alberta healthcare system, offering crucial assistance and care to individuals in various settings. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Alberta HCA program, from understanding the role to navigating the education and certification process.

Understanding the Role of a Health Care Aide in Alberta

Health Care Aides in Alberta play a crucial role in providing direct patient care under the supervision of regulated health professionals like nurses. Their work spans diverse environments, including:

• Home Care Settings: Assisting individuals in their residences, promoting independence and well-being within the comfort of their own homes.
• Assisted Living Facilities and Lodges: Supporting residents with daily living activities while fostering a supportive community environment.
• Long-Term Care and Designated Supportive Living Facilities: Providing comprehensive care to individuals requiring ongoing assistance in residential care settings.
• Acute Care Hospitals: Working within hospital teams to support patients’ basic needs and contribute to their recovery journey.
• Private Agencies and Individual Clients: Offering personalized care services tailored to specific needs in private settings.

The core responsibility of an HCA is to deliver basic health services and provide essential support with activities of daily living. This encompasses a wide range of tasks aimed at enhancing the comfort, safety, and overall quality of life for clients facing medical conditions or functional limitations.

The Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum: Ensuring Quality Education

In Alberta, while the Health Care Aide occupation is currently unregulated, the Alberta government prioritizes consistent and high-quality education for all HCAs. To achieve this, they developed and own the HCA Provincial Curriculum. This standardized curriculum is used by licensed post-secondary institutions across Alberta to educate aspiring HCAs. The curriculum was last updated in 2019, ensuring it reflects the most current best practices and healthcare standards. This commitment to a unified educational framework ensures that HCAs entering the workforce possess a consistent and comprehensive skill set.

Current Status of New License Agreements for Post-Secondary Institutions

It’s important to note that as of October 1, 2017, the Alberta government has placed a moratorium on licensing new post-secondary institutions to offer the HCA Provincial Curriculum. This temporary measure is in place to allow the government to thoroughly assess workforce dynamics, including supply and demand, clinical placement availability, and resource allocation. This pause is intended to facilitate strategic planning and efficient review processes for future license applications, ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the HCA program. The moratorium remains in effect until further notice.

The Alberta HCA Directory: Your Link to the HCA Community

The Alberta HCA Directory serves as a central hub of information and resources for HCAs in the province. This comprehensive database collects vital information about the HCA workforce, offering a range of resources including industry news, educational opportunities, and job boards. For HCAs employed by publicly funded organizations, enrollment in the Alberta HCA Directory is mandatory, emphasizing its importance within the provincial healthcare framework.

Currently, Alberta Health mandates that HCAs listed in the directory who completed the Alberta HCA Curriculum (2013) or earlier versions must complete the Alberta HCA Bridging Modules available through the directory. This education update is a prerequisite for future HCA regulation in Alberta, although the specific date for regulation is yet to be determined.

Exploring the Health Care Aide Competency Profile

To gain deeper insights into the expected skills and competencies of an HCA in Alberta, you can refer to the Health Care Aide Competency Profile – 2018. This document, available publicly, outlines the essential abilities and knowledge required for success in this profession. Understanding this competency profile is beneficial for anyone considering a career as an HCA, providing a clear picture of the professional standards and expectations within Alberta’s healthcare sector.

Four Pathways to Becoming a Certified HCA in Alberta

Aspiring to become a Health Care Aide in Alberta? There are four distinct pathways you can pursue to achieve certification:

1. Complete an Alberta HCA Program: Enroll in a licensed post-secondary institution authorized to deliver the 2019 provincial curriculum. Upon successful completion of the program and passing the Provincial Alberta HCA Examination, you will earn your Alberta HCA certificate. Contact the licensed institutions (listed below) directly for detailed program information, including admission criteria, program duration, learning format, and tuition fees.

2. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): If you possess previous education and training comparable to the Alberta HCA Program, you may be eligible for an Alberta HCA certificate through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This process involves an evaluation of your existing credentials and successful completion of the Provincial Alberta HCA Examination. PLAR evaluations are offered at a cost by select licensed post-secondary institutions that also offer the HCA program.

3. Substantial Equivalence Assessment: Individuals with educational experience similar to an HCA, such as former healthcare providers, internationally educated nurses, or nursing students, can pursue a Substantial Equivalence Assessment. Detailed information regarding this assessment process is available on the Alberta HCA Directory website under the “Substantial Equivalence Assessment” section.

4. Employer-Based Competency Assessment: Some employers in Alberta may hire HCAs and utilize the Provincial Competency Assessment Profile tool to evaluate their skills and competencies. In these cases, employers are responsible for providing necessary education and training to ensure HCAs are deemed competent for their roles.

HCA Program Entry Requirements: What You Need to Know

As of January 1, 2023, specific entry requirements are in place for admission into any licensed HCA program in Alberta:

Digital Literacy Skills

Prospective HCA students must demonstrate foundational digital literacy skills essential for program success. This includes the ability to:

• Communicate effectively, conduct online research, and comprehend digital information.
• Utilize computers for web browsing and email communication.
• Critically assess the impact of technology on personal behavior.
• Create and share digital content and communicate effectively using email and online platforms.

Academic English Language Arts (ELA) Proficiency

Applicants must meet one of the following Academic English Language Arts (ELA) requirements:

• Successful completion of English 20-1 or 20-2 with a minimum grade of 60% or equivalent Canadian jurisdiction credentials.
• Successful completion of English 30-1 or 30-2 with a minimum grade of 55% or equivalent Canadian jurisdiction credentials, such as a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development-test).
• Achieve equivalent scores on the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment placement test, with a minimum score of 237 in both reading and writing. (The math test is not required).

Note: Candidates who do not meet the standard ELA requirements (English 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, or 30-2 with minimum grades) are required to complete the ACCUPLACER Next-Generation assessment test. This includes out-of-province, international, and mature students returning to education after an extended period.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) for ESL Candidates

For applicants whose first language is not English (ESL), additional English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements must be met alongside the Academic English requirements. Acceptable equivalencies include:

• Possession of a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development-test).
• Attendance at a Canadian high school with at least 3 consecutive years of full-time academic study in English (grades 9-12) at an approved institution.
• Evidence of completing 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at a Canadian institution in a field other than an HCA program.
• Successful completion of an approved ELP test with the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score – a minimum CLB of 7 in each of the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), not an average of 7.

Approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Tests

The following ELP tests are recognized by Alberta HCA programs:

1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum score of 6 overall, with no section score below 5.5.
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL iBT): Minimum score of 71.
3. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: Minimum score of 7 overall, with no section score below 6.
4. Canadian Language Benchmarks Tests, Milestones Test: Minimum CLB 7 in each strand (speaking, listening, reading, writing), not an average of 7.
5. Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 95.
6. Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): Minimum score of 7 in each area (listening, reading, writing, speaking), not an average of 7.

Important Notes Regarding ELP Tests:

• Test Currency: Test results must be obtained within 2 years prior to the HCA program start date.
• Test Validity: IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for 2 years from the test date. Results expiring before the program start date will not be accepted.

HCA Bursaries: Financial Support for Your Education

Financial assistance is available to support your HCA education through Alberta HCA bursaries. Detailed information and application details can be found at Alberta HCA Bursaries. These bursaries can help alleviate the financial burden of tuition and related expenses, making the HCA program more accessible.

For any inquiries regarding bursaries, you can reach out via:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 780-644-6500

List of Licensed Post-Secondary Institutions (Curriculum-2019)

For comprehensive program details, including admission requirements, course length, delivery methods, and tuition costs, please contact the following licensed post-secondary institutions directly:

• ABM College
• Academy of Learning
• Alberta Business and Educational Services (ABES)
• University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak (Blue Quills University)
• Bow Valley College
• Columbia College
• Health Care Aide Academy
• Keyano College
• Lakeland College
• Lethbridge College
• MaKami College
• Medicine Hat College
• MTG Healthcare Academy
• Nightingale Academy
• NorQuest College
• Northern Lakes College
• Northwestern Polytechnic
• Mikai’sto (Red Crow Community College)
• Red Deer Polytechnic
• Robertson College
• Rosewood College
• Training Inc.
• University of Alberta, Campus Saint-Jean

Licensed Institutions Offering Combined ESL and HCA Programs

• Columbia College
• Bow Valley College
• NorQuest College
• Red Deer Polytechnic

Contact Information for Further Inquiries

For questions related to HCAs or the Alberta HCA Directory:

• Email: [email protected]

For questions regarding the Substantial Equivalence Assessment:

• Email: [email protected]

For inquiries about the provincial HCA exam:

• Email: [email protected]

Connect with the Health Workforce Strategy and Planning Branch at Alberta Health:

• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Alberta Health, Health Workforce Strategy and Planning Branch, PO Box 1360, Station Main, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3

Embarking on a career as a Health Care Aide through the Alberta Health Services Health Care Aide Program is a rewarding path for those dedicated to compassionate care. With standardized education, clear pathways to certification, and available financial aid, your journey to becoming a vital healthcare professional in Alberta is well-supported. Explore the options, connect with licensed institutions, and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare.