Health Care Aide Careers

Full-Time Delivery

• Downtown Edmonton campus
• Monday to Friday, daytime
• Instructor-led classes, labs, and clinical practice
• 16 weeks, which includes a 200-hour clinical practice
• Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice

Part-Time Delivery

Evening Part-Time

• Downtown Edmonton campus
• Instructor-led classes, labs, and clinical practice
• Two evenings per week and some Saturdays
• 24 to 31 weeks
• 200-hour clinical practice
• Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice

Regional Part-Time

• Wetaskiwin, Stony Plain, Olds, and select communities throughout Alberta, based on interest
• 24 to 31 weeks
• Variable start dates
• Instructor-led classes, labs, and clinical practice
• 200-hour clinical practice
• Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice

Distance Education Part-Time Delivery

• Paced course study
• Mandatory attendance at weekend lab sessions (Some lab sessions may include guest speakers.)
• Instructor assistance by telephone or email
• Course exams proctored in your community
• 200-hour, full-time, prearranged clinical practice at a facility in your geographic location, with an assigned clinical mentor
• Site visits, supervision, and evaluation done by a NorQuest instructor
• Up-to-date immunization record to be completed prior to clinical practice

Specialized HCA Workplace Distance Education Delivery

Workplace Distance Education (In service)

The HCA Workplace Distance Education Delivery (WDED) option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with continuing care and home care employers. Self-paced study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer.

With this delivery method, you are able to combine work and school by studying at home and practising your skills at work. If you are interested in this program option, please consult your employer.

Monthly start dates are available. Students have one year to complete the program.

Workplace Distance Education – Lodge

This delivery method is offered to the employee who works in a lodge. Offered throughout Alberta, this distance learning delivery option is supervised by professional staff. Learning while on the job allows you to continue working as you increase your educational qualifications.

Study is combined with tutoring and practice opportunities with your employer. Clinical practice may be required in a full-time continuing care agency.

Monthly start dates are available. Students have eight months to complete the program.

Health Care Aide PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)

The HCA PLAR Challenge is a two-part process for individuals currently employed as nursing attendants or personal support workers who believe they have the skills and knowledge to meet the standards for a NorQuest Health Care Aide certificate. Students have six months to complete the challenge portion of this self-study program.

Start by giving the Health Careers Special Projects and Continuing Education office a call at 780.644.6369 and ask for your HCA PLAR application package.

Once you have applied, you must complete a self-assessment audit and an English comprehension assessment. The Health Careers Special Projects and Continuing Education office will identify your present knowledge and skill level to determine whether the PLAR process is right for you or whether there is another alternative for you to successfully gain a Health Care Aide certificate.

The challenge process consists of two parts.

Part 1:

1. Self-assessment audit and the English comprehension assessment
2. Analysis by a PLAR instructor of the self-assessment audit and English comprehension assessments to determine whether you have the theory and skills needed for success in the PLAR challenge

Part 2:

1. If recommended, you will be issued an individualized study plan for self-study.
2. Self-study
3. Theory exam
4. Skills assessment
5. Final/cumulative exam

You must succeed at each level in order to continue with the PLAR Challenge.

The challenge assessments will be done at NorQuest College, Downtown Edmonton campus. Assessments are done by NorQuest instructors. Challenge assessments may be done at your place of work with prior approval of the PLAR instructors.

HCA PLAR Challenge Course Listing (2010/11)

For More Information on HCA PLAR:
Health and Human Service Careers Special Projects and
Continuing Education Office 780.644.6369