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33 Weeks

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Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Information Kit

Student Testimonials

Readiness Quiz

Certificate Summary

Students of ABM College's Health Care Aide Certificate Calgary program will obtain skills in the basics of human anatomy, medical terminology, chronic conditions, palliative care, and much more. This intensive program provides academic health care knowledge over the course of eight months and includes practical experience through an extended and integrative practicum.

Health Care Aide graduates can pursue careers in a variety of clinical and care settings, and work with ill or elderly patients with mental health issues, dementia, as well as patients with special needs. Working environments for Health Care Aides encompass a wide variety of settings including home care agencies, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, long-term care, government agencies, and group homes.

PLAR Transfer Credit Guidelines:

PLAR allows you to obtain course credit through formal evaluation process that recognizes skills and knowledge can be obtained through formal, informal and non-formal education, training and life experiences. Recognition is not awarded for experience; it is awarded for knowledge or skills acquired through experience.

HCA PLAR Student Guide

Health Care Aide

Certificate Highlights

To give ABM College Health Care Aide graduates an upper hand in the industry, we provide students with the following additional certifications:

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI)

WHIMS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)

Advanced Medication

Foot Care

Palliative Care

Supportive Pathways (Carewest)

PointClickCare Certificate

It's Your Move

Career Opportunities

Health Care Aide

Home Support Worker

Caregiver

Residential Aide

Client Care Attendant

Salary Range

Health Care Aide Course Curriculum

During this course, you will focus on the role and responsibilities of a health care aide working in a variety of employment settings. The focus of this course is to share information that will result in safe, ethical, and respectful care based on the needs of the client. Care that meets these standards is known as person-centered care. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow your employer’s policy and procedures and your job description. There are six modules in this course, and each module will give you the opportunity to become familiar with and understand the roles and responsibilities of the health care aide in Alberta.

This course focuses on the study of the systems that make up the human body and discusses the milestones of growth and development across the lifespan. It is an introduction to foundational knowledge of the most common of the chronic illnesses that a health care aide may encounter. The learner will describe ways to provide safe care based on evidence-informed practices according to the clients’ diagnoses, needs, and care plans. The information learned in this course will provide you with care strategies to support the client, the client’s family and yourself through the process of a client’s dying and death.

This course will focus on the role and responsibilities of the health care aide when communicating effectively as a member of the collaborative care team. Strong communication skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide. The health-care environment requires competent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills, which are part of digital literacy. There are five modules in this course, and each module will give you the opportunity to practice the common words and phrases used when communicating in the health-care environment. Although this course is designed to assist you to communicate effectively in your role as a health care aide, skills learned here may be used to help you be a more competent and confident communicator in many other areas of your life.

During this course, you will learn the basic care skills that will allow you to give safe and efficient care to your clients. Providing personal grooming and hygiene care to your clients is an intimate and highly personal experience. During the theory and lab elements of this course, you will learn to approach this care in a professional and compassionate manner. Safe lifting and transferring techniques are important for client and staff comfort and safety. Opportunities to practice safe lifting, transferring, and client positioning will be provided for in both lab and practicum settings. Mealtimes are a traditional time for friends and families to gather and enjoy both good food and good company. This course will teach the principles of safely assisting clients to eat and provide guidelines for creating a safe, clean, and socially inviting dining environment.

During this clinical placement you will experience the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional. You will have the opportunity to work in a continuing care setting such as home care, supportive living (designated supportive living or DSL), senior lodges, long term care, and group homes. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned in courses 1–4 in the clinical setting. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures. Strong verbal and written communications skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide.

During the second clinical placement, you will experience the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of health-care settings such as continuing care or acute care. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned in all your courses 1–7 in the clinical setting. You will provide person-centered care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures.

This course builds on the foundational skills and concepts introduced in previous courses and also introduces new skills such as medication assistance. Learners will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge to learn advanced skills such as active and passive range-of-motion exercises, ostomy care, respiratory care, catheter care, and tube feeds. In addition, accurate measurement of vital signs is demonstrated, practiced, and assessed. This course will also assist learners to work safely within the legal roles and responsibilities of health care aides in this province while giving medication assistance, helping learners to demonstrate competence and confidence. This course is included in the HCA Preparation for Employment provincial standards.

This course discusses care strategies for assisting diverse client groups such as clients with a mental health diagnosis and clients with developmental delays and physical disabilities. Graduates who become employed in home care situations may have the opportunity to work with families to provide care for infants and children, as well as caring for clients living with life-limiting illness, and who could benefit from hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care. Information and skills to assist with these care assignments are provided in this course. Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to work with a diverse client group in a variety of care settings.

This is the final clinical placement course where you will practice the role of the health care aide by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional and buddied with an unregulated health-care professional. You will work in a variety of health-care settings such as continuing care or acute care. To meet the goal of person-centered care, the health care aide must be familiar with the provincial legislation that guides safe, ethical, and personalized care. In addition, knowledge of how to work as part of the health-care team is essential, as is the ability to follow agency policy and procedures. Strong verbal and written communications skills are an important part of being a successful health care aide. The health-care environment requires competent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must be out of high school for at least two years.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to admission.
Passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.
Passing score on the Accuplacer Test for Academic English Language Arts (ELA).
Passing score on the Duolingo English Test for English Language Proficiency (ELP).
Successful interview with ABM College Admissions.
Requirements set by AB Health.

Health Care Aide Certificate Information Kit

This kit includes important details on the Health Care Aide Certificate program at ABM College.

Health Care Aide Information Kit

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Student Recommendations of ABM College

I loved every minute of going to ABM College, I felt they prepared me so well for my course and for what's to come after graduation. I could not be happier with my education and now my successful career as a Health Care Aide.

Kelly Reis, Alberta
ABM College helped me to pursue my dream job. At first, I was hesitant because I thought doing classes online is not so easy. But they have flexible hours to attend so working students can choose a time to work with your schedule. All instructors are very approachable and staff are very accommodating. A great school that I will not forget.

Bhing Sayson-Cuadra, Saskatchewan
Deborah Cheesman
I studied the Diploma program in Business Administration and graduated May 2022. The teachers I had were all amazing! They are very good at what they do and help us as much as they can. They share their knowledge and experiences and help the students in every way.

Emma Rose Lontoc, Alberta
Erlinda Harn
I studied Medical Office Assistant & Unit Clerk at ABM College. The decision was difficult for me in my 40’s with kids and work, but I had great experience with online lessons. Thanks to my Instructors for always supporting and helping me. A good decision to study at ABM College.

Rafaela Goyena, Alberta
Ian Morales
Being a student of theMedical Office Assistant and Unit Clerkprogram was a great platform to change my career in the medical field. As I finished my studies, a lot of opportunities opened up to me to work as a unit clerk in the Saskatchewan Health Region.

Cheryle Pascua, Saskatchewan
Highly recommend it for professionals who need to upgrade their skills. I took the Digital Marketing Diploma and really liked it. It helped me increase my skills and build up my confidence. Teachers and staff were all very kind and helpful.

Marlene Rados, Alberta