What is dual credit?
Students who are obtaining college and high school credits at the same time. In this case, students achieve 25 grade 12 CTS credits, while simultaneously earning a college Health Care Aide certificate. These credits and their marks, can be used for their university/college entrance requirements as well as for their application for the Rutherford scholarship.

What does a Health Care Aide do?
They provide direct care, personal assistance and support to patients who are elderly, disabled acute or chronically ill people who require short term assistance or ongoing support. They assist patients with daily living activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, exercise, recreation, and toileting. Covenant Health, Edmonton – The Health Care Aide (HCA) provides basic nursing care to residents as directed, assists with activities of daily living, and performs other activities necessary to meet the personal needs of residents. The HCA maintains and promotes resident safety, comfort, privacy and dignity, promotes the independence of residents, and performs duties to maintain an aesthetic environment. The HCA is responsible for the provision of care in accordance with established standards, and the Mission, Vision, Values, policies and procedures of Covenant Health.

Wage, job possibilities
Wage Range in Alberta:  $19.53 – $24.46 an hour
The demand for Health Care Aides is on the rise in Canada. As the population ages, there is an increasing need for professionally trained individuals with the skills and competency to care for them. Health care aides are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 3413 which includes Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates. In Alberta, most people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry. The employment outlook is promising in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry as information from The Alberta Learning Information Service describes. The Canadian and Alberta government are now taking action to ensure that there are enough skilled employees to handle the future surge in Health Care Aide demand through financial incentives and job education and awareness.

Who signs up?
We have a variety of students; some see the HCA certificate as a long-term career prospect, others use it as good foundational study and a great part time job to support themselves as they go on to further studies, typically in the medical or human services fields.  We have had both guys & gals in our previous co-horts.
*Students who have graduated, but are still high school age (19 as of Sept. 1st) are welcome to register.  This gives you an opportunity to up-grade &/or work part time while taking your HCA.

Past graduates, where are they now?
We have had a student use her HCA marks to help her get into the RN program at Red Deer College, some wish to pursue Vet. Tech or EMT or Neonatal Nurse or psychiatric nurse. Many students are employed full time or part time as HCA’s in the region. All of our graduates have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, skills, and especially confidence by participating in and completing the HCA program. They often have the confidence to pursue additional career aspirations, dreams, and goals.

What does this job look like at AHS?

• Health care aides (also known as HCAs) are valued members of the health-care team. Health care aides provide personal assistance and support services for elderly, disabled, acute or chronically ill people who require short-term assistance or ongoing support. They work with patients who have chronic and/or complex medical conditions, physical or cognitive disabilities, or who require end-of-life care. Health care aides are also known as nursing attendants (also known as NAs), home support aides, home support workers or residential support workers.
• Health care aides provide essential and important daily living support and comfort to patients, clients and residents. They assist with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities. They may help patients/residents with feeding, mobility and exercise as needed.
• Health care aides must be able to speak, read, write, and comprehend the English language well enough to follow directions and communicate effectively with patients/residents and their team members. They report on their observations and communicate concerns to nurses and other licensed health care professionals.
• At times, health care aides provide work guidance to other health care aides and students. They also interact with patient family members and caregivers. The demand for health care aides continues to grow as an important and necessary role in delivering health care in Alberta, making it a great career choice.
• Health care aides work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, continuing care facilities and within patient/client home settings. They can work as residential care aides, mental health aides, home health aides, psychiatric aides and client care assistants. Health care aides work collaboratively with nursing professionals and other members of the overall health care team.
• Health care aides may work full-time or part-time hours, or on a call-in (casual) basis. They can apply for positions that are permanent, temporary or casual depending on department and facility needs. Shift schedules may include a combination of day, evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts, as well as on-call duty.
• Health care aides are on their feet for much of their work day. Many work in environments that require varying levels of physical exertion to transfer patients, use and move equipment and provide personal care. Health care aides require patience and understanding because their patients may have mental or emotional challenges, in addition to physical limitations.

For further information, please contact:
Karen Fischer, PHPS Dual Credit Coordinator
kncfischer@gmail.com
780-674-3182 (H)
780-305-8505 (C)
780-674-3262 (F)

1. HCA provides a terrific academic and practical basis or foundation for anyone considering the other programs.
2. HCA gives you an opportunity to obtain excellent marks that will count toward your entrance/acceptance of a post-secondary program.
3. Your marks may be used as part of your Rutherford scholarship application.
4. HCA will give you a great opportunity for part time employment as you pursue further education.
5. HCA gives you an opportunity to experience post-secondary schooling while you are still in high school. That means you continue to have the support of home/community and school while starting college.
6. It is VERY affordable compared to a non-dual credit college program.
7. The experience of the course work combined with the labs and practical experience are very valuable!
8. The practical experience allows an opportunity to see if health care is really the area that you are interested in (without spending big dollars at college/university.
9. While out on their practicums students will also see what other health care careers there are – physio, OT, recreation therapy- and this may give them more insight into which direction they want to go.
10. Health Care Aide can be a great career choice, or it can be a stepping stone to get you on your way to your ultimate career.