Location
Start Dates
- September 03, 2024
- January 09, 2025
Duration
2Terms
Program Delivery
- Blended
- Off-Campus
Tuition & Fees
Domestic (main program): CAD
$7,985
International: CAD
$19,915
Estimated Book Costs:
CAD
$450
We are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2024 intake.
Applicants to the Regional Campuses must live outside Calgary in the Bow Valley College regional service area.
Start Dates
- September 03, 2024
- January 09, 2025
Duration
2Terms
Program Delivery
- In Class
Tuition & Fees
Domestic (main program): CAD
$7,985
International: CAD
$19,915
Estimated Book Costs:
CAD
$450
We are no longer accepting International applications for the 2024 Fall and 2025 Winter intake.
The Health Care Aide Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) option is not open for international students.
Program Description
Through a variety of delivery options at Bow Valley College, you can earn a Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019 Certificate.
Due to the popularity of this program, we recommend you apply at least eight months prior to the program start date.
The Health Care Aide Certificate is available in the following delivery options:
- Full-time: on-campus study over an eight-month (2-term) period.
- Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): you may be eligible to challenge the courses in the Health Care Aide (HCA) program if you have work experience as a health care aide or caregiver and wish to meet provincial health care aide certification requirements. The tuition for this pathway is $4112.00. All eligible learners, including regional learners, can apply for the PLAR HCA pathway however it is only offered at the Calgary downtown campus.
- Heath Care Aide for English Language Learners: this pathway program is for learners with minimal English Language proficiency skills. To learn more to see if this is better suited for you, please visit the program page.
- Regional Learners: see below for more information.
This program focuses on developing the core skills needed to care for individuals with various health care needs. Topics include personal care, assisting with mobility and nutrition, communication, assisting with medication delivery, and clinical skills.
You will learn in a combination of on-campus labs, in-class learning, and clinical instruction in continuing care, acute care, and community/home care settings. Clinical shifts may include days, evenings, nights, and/or weekends.
Regional learners
Learners living in the area surrounding Calgary can take the program starting in Fall (September) or Winter (January) through Regional campuses. Contact Regional or view our locations. Program delivery is blended which includes a combination of online and in-person learning. Lab time is in-person at the Calgary downtown campus. Clinical instruction will occur in continuing care, acute care, and community/home care settings.
Clinical experience
You will be required to travel to various locations in order to complete your clinical and practicum placements. Every effort is made to accommodate learners in clinical placements within the time frame of the program, however in rare instances there may be a delay in program completion until a clinical placement can be arranged.
Graduation requirements
To obtain your Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019 Certificate, you will need to successfully complete the program, enroll in the Alberta Health Care Aide Directory, and pass the Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Examination.
Tuition and financial aid
Refer to the Program Tuition Fee Chart for an estimate of the cost of completing a Bow Valley College career program. When creating a budget, consider the costs of tuition, learner fees, textbooks, learning materials, and police information check fees. Attend a financial aid information session for advice on financing a Bow Valley College education.
Related Links
Course Listings Request More Information Applying FAQ
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Regional Applicants
regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
- English Language Arts 20-2 (60%) or equivalent
or
- Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test
To be eligible for the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), you need to provide proof of the following:
- Previous employment, including a job description, totaling 600+ hours within the past three years as an HCA or personal care provider.
- English Language Proficiency requirement (see HCA program admission requirements)
- Once you have applied to the HCA program and the application has been reviewed, you will receive notification of your acceptance status via email. Directions on your next steps will be given in these emails
English language proficiency requirements
See English language proficiency requirements for details.
Pre-clinical requirements
- A current Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) must be submitted prior to practicum placements. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent clinical, practicum, or field work placements, and, subsequently, successful completion of the program.
- To facilitate your Work Integrated Learning placement with our external partners Rubella vaccination is mandatory and 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. All other immunizations are highly recommended. Up-to-date immunizations are valid for the duration of the program.
- You will have an opportunity to get an N95 mask fitting, at our downtown campus. You will be able to register for this course (SAFT9406 N95 Mask Fitting) through MyBVC (or your regional administrator) once your program begins. This is a requirement for clinical placements.
- International applicants will need to obtain a Co-op permit prior to any clinical or practicum experience. Please contact International Education for more information.
Additional recommendations
- You can ensure your CPR certification is up to date by taking FACP9101 Basic Life Support CPR (healthcare provider level) through Continuing Education. You can see the current schedule and register online by clicking here. This certificate is recommended but not required for clinical placements.
- Applicants must be able to work shifts and weekends, be on their feet for extended periods of time, use their knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength and function effectively in stressful situations.
Related Links
Course Listings Request More Information
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Regional Applicants
regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus
Term 1
Required CoursesCredit
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-centred care.
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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.
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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.
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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.
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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.
Pre-requisites: HCAD1401, HCAD1402, HCAD1403, and HCAD1404
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
Term 2
Required CoursesCredit
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.
Pre-requisites: HCAD1401, HCAD1402, HCAD1403, and HCAD1404
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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.
Pre-requisite: HCAD1405
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
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-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.
Pre-requisites: HCAD1406 and HCAD1407
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
This is the final clinical placement course where you will practise 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. You will integrate and implement the knowledge you have learned throughout the health care aide program, which will guide you in providing person-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.
Pre-requisite: HCAD1408
Bow Valley College is licensed to deliver this course as part of the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum 2019.
Program FAQs
Classes are generally scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Learners can expect to spend an additional two hours per day working on homework. Attendance at the Calgary campus is crucial, since the program emphasizes hands-on skills training in the lab. We do not recommend working full-time while you are completing this program.
Learners who fail a course must retake that course. Courses require a grade of 70% to pass, and clinical courses are graded a pass or fail. Different courses have a variety of assessments. There are no rewrites on exams.
Bow Valley College must maintain a certain instructor-to-learner ratio for the placements and preceptorships (for example, one instructor per eight learners). The college arranges these placements, and learners may be required to travel to various locations in Southern Alberta. Placements are set up based on availability and learners must be flexible regarding the location and scheduling of the clinical placement. Learners are expected to treat the clinical experience like employment in the health care workforce.
Graduates of a provincially-recognized health care aide program may qualify for advanced credit in the Practical Nurse Diploma program. To be considered for prior learning assessment and recognition, learners must have completed the Health Care Aide Certificate program and must have completed 1,000 hours of work experience as a recognized health care aide. Graduates of the Health Care Aide Certificate program may be eligible to receive credit for two nursing courses. For more information, visit the transfer credit page.
The Bow Valley College Health Care Aide program follows the Alberta Health curriculum. Bow Valley College has an excellent reputation with the provincial government and our graduates are preferred when applying for health care aide jobs in the Calgary area because they are work-ready, and have met our high standards.
Health care aides are currently in high demand. For the employment outlook for this profession, visit the Alberta government’s Alberta Occupational Profile (OCCinfo) page.
