Health Care Aide Program

Introduction

Columbia College’s Health Care Aide program is licensed through Alberta Government Advanced Education and Technology Private Vocational Training Branch and is approved by the Alberta Government Department of Health and Wellness. After successfully completing this 15 week program, the student will receive a Columbia College/Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Certificate.

As our society ages more people will require the support of medical health professionals to look after their personal health needs. Many of these professionals work in the hospitals providing emergency service and medical care to patients. Most of these patients return to active life in the community, but a growing number of Canadians need external support in their homes and longer-term care in specialized facilities. To assist them in adjusting to and coping with their limitations is a group of health care professionals including doctors, nurses, health care aides, and other medical specialists.

Columbia College offers the Health Care Aide Government of Alberta Health & Wellness Provincial 2010 Curriculum. Columbia College’s Health Care Aide Program was designed to respond to the needs of the health care community. Its intensive program covers such topics as: Health Care Aide Role and the Canadian Health Care System, Developmental Processes and Mental Health, Activities of Daily Living, Body Systems and Functions, and Special Care Procedures.

This exciting program provides the student with relevant healthcare knowledge, practical training at Columbia College in a lab setting, as well as, clinical/practicum placement in long-term care, acute care, and community/home care settings.

• All students are required to achieve successful results on Columbia College’s Entry Assessment. It evaluates a student’s reading comprehension and writing skills.
• Applicants may meet entry requirements by the following ways:
1. Credit in either English 10-1 or 10-2 or equivalent
   Successful results on Columbia College’s Assessment.

Or

1. Apply as a mature student
   Successful results on Columbia College’s Assessment.
• If a student’s academic skills need to be improved to meet entry requirements, the student may be referred to Columbia College’s tuition-free upgrading courses. See Bridging Programs.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement – For applicants whose first language is not English, please refer to the English Language Proficiency Requirement section.

Pre-Entry Requirement:

• Clear Current Police Information check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Check. Application for a PIC must be made through Columbia College, unless the applicant has lived in Calgary for less than one year. Then the PIC must be obtained from the previous province or country.
  Should there be a delay in receiving the PIC from the Police Department, the student will be required to sign a Waiver form stating that the student assures Columbia College that he/she does not have a criminal record, and understands that he/she may be withdrawn from the program if a clear PIC is not provided prior to start of practicum.
• Up-to-date Immunizations. Details will be provided during the admissions process.
  Should there be a delay in receiving this document, the student will be required to sign a Waiver form stating that he/she understands that he/she may be withdrawn from the program if a clear PIC is not provided prior to start of practicum.

Pre-Practicum Requirement:

• Current CPR Healthcare Provider Level Certificate – Must be updated every 12 months.

Admission Process:

Step 1: Complete the Admission Application located in the back of the Academic Calendar or by clicking Apply at the top of the screen. An individual may also request that an Information package be mailed to their address by calling 403-235-9300 or outside of Calgary at 1-888-235-9370.

Step 2: Take the Columbia College Assessment. Once your application has been received, an appointment will be booked for you by an Admissions Advisor. If you are outside of Calgary and cannot come into the city, the assessment may be administered by a proctor approved by the College. Request further information from the Admissions Advisor.

Step 3: Meet with an Admissions Advisor to proceed through the remainder of the process.