Health Care Aide Program FAQs

A Health Care Aide Certification is the official industry standard to show the student has completed in-class and clinical placement and demonstrated top skills to work in home care and clinical health care settings.

The rising demand for health care aide professionals in Alberta is one of the outcomes of our aging population. Health care aides are unregulated health care workers who provide personal support and basic health services directly to Albertans, primarily in the continuing care sector but also in the acute care facilities. HCAs are the largest occupational group in the continuing care sector.

Yes, the MaKami College Health Care Aide Program is approved by the College of LPNs and HCAs of Alberta (CLHA).

Home health care allows you to work in clinical settings and non-clinical settings whereas home care only allows you to work in non-clinical settings. This health care aide program trains and qualifies you for both types of work.

As with any program, keeping up with your lessons is important. At MaKami, students get plenty of support from knowledgeable staff, free extra resources, one-on-one attention within our student success centre to ensure that there is complete support from day 1 of the course.

With the continued spread of the Covid-19, MaKami’s clinical placement partners are creating new policies to ensure the safety of their staff and students while they care for the most vulnerable in our communities. One of the new policies that is beginning more common is the use of N95 masks while caring for clients. In response, MaKami is now arranging N95 Respiratory Masks Fit Testing prior to students going out on clinical placements. Learn more about mask fit testing.

Yes it is! MaKami is recognized by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education as we are a publicly funded, not-for-profit independent academic institution and listed on the Government of Canada’s list of Designated Learning Institutions.

MaKami College has licensed approval to run the Government of Alberta (GoA) HCA Provincial Curriculum (2019) by the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS).

Our Health Care Aide Certificate Program is approved by the College of LPNs and HCAs of Alberta (CLHA).

For further information about the course, see the Health Care Aide curriculum information.

The Government of Alberta outlines requirements to be eligible for entry into a licensed health care aide program. Please refer to the Eligibility and Admission section for these requirements. 

We have classes during the day, evenings and on weekends at our Calgary and Edmonton campuses. To learn more about the Health Care Aide Program, we highly recommend attending one of our student tours.

The new 2019 Government of Alberta program contains three clinical placements that total 360 hours of the program.

The first two placements are instructor-led experiences with employers where you can learn to effectively apply your classroom and lab training.

The third clinical placement is an opportunity for students to work alongside another HCA and get immediate feedback on the skills you need to succeed as a Health Care Aide.

You will be taught by experienced and knowledgeable health care aide instructors who have worked as a licensed nurse (RN, LPN, RPN, NP) in the province of Alberta.

New tuition bursaries offering up to $9,000 are available for Health Care Aide students who started their HCA program after July 1, 2022 and are working in continuing care centres. Learn more about these bursaries.

Applicants are eligible for standard admission into a licensed HCA program if they meet all of the following criteria:

1. Completion of one of the following academic English requirements:
   • English 20-1 or 20-2 with a minimum score of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent.
   • English 30-1 or 30-2 with a minimum of 55%; or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent, such as a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma; General Education Development-test (GED); or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).
   • Deemed equivalent by completion of Next-Generation ACCUPLACER (assessment placement test) reading and writing tests, with a minimum score of 237 in each category. The math test is not required.
     • Note: Students who have not met the ELA requirement (i.e., 20-1, 20-2, 30-1, or 30-2 English level) with the minimum grade are subject to completing the Next- Generation ACCUPLACER assessment test. This can include students out of province, out of country, or mature students that have been out of school for a significant length of time.
2. Candidates must possess knowledge of computer/technology tools to be successful in the program.
   • Be able to communicate, research and understand information
   • Know how to use computer to surf web, email
   • Be able to critically evaluate and understand how technology can affect one’s behavior
   • Be able to create, produce content and effectively communicate using email, media, internet.

Candidates where English is a Second Language (ESL) must meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement.

Equivalencies are as follows:

• Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development- test (GED)) or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC).
• Attending high school in Canada. Studies must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic study.
• Attending two consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English in a subject other than an HCA program at a Canadian institution. 
• Submitting one of the following approved ELP tests:
  • IELTS Academic: Overall 6 (no individual band below 5.5)
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall score 71
  • CELPIP General: Overall score 7 (with no section score below 6)
  • CLB: Level 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and not an average of 7.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Score 95
  • CELBAN: Level 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and not an average of 7.

Additional considerations: 

• MaKami College supports multiple entry points and may recommend upgrading, preparatory studies, or conditional admission, where appropriate.
• Official test results must be submitted directly to the institution.
• Test Currency: Results must have been obtained within two years of the start date of the program.
• Test Validity: IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program will not be accepted.

Applicants may be eligible for admission through a transfer pathway based on prior post-secondary education.

Transfer pathways may include:

1. a) Internal Program Transfers

• Students from MaKami HCA programs may transfer into another MaKami HCA cohort, subject to:
  • Program equivalency
  • Academic standing
  • Credit transfer eligibility
  • Institutional approval

1. b) External Transfer Agreements

• Applicants who have completed coursework at recognized post-secondary institutions offering the same Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum will be considered for admission and/or advanced standing through the Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum & Licensing Policies.

1. c) Transfer Alberta

• Transfer credit will be granted in accordance with Transfer Alberta guidelines and the Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum & Licensing Policies.

• Transfer decisions are subject to:

• Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum & Licensing Policies.

• • Transfer Alberta equivalency listings
  • Institutional policies
  • Program-specific learning outcomes

Transfer credit does not guarantee admission and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants still are required to meet the program admission standards.

Applicants may be considered for admission and/or advanced standing through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

PLAR recognizes knowledge and skills gained outside of formal education, including but not limited to:

• Work experience
• Professional certifications or licenses
• Military training
• Volunteer experience
• Non-credit training or workshops

PLAR assessment methods may include:

• Portfolio review
• Skills demonstration
• Challenge exams
• Interviews or competency validation

PLAR decisions are made in accordance with Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum & Licensing Policies, the Health Care Aide Provincial Program Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Guides and institutional policy, and may result in:

• Admission eligibility
• Granting of course credits
• Requiring the completion of full program

During this clinical placement experience, students will experience the role of the HCA by working under the direction of a regulated health care professional (e.g. LPN, RN, RPN). Students will have the opportunity to work in a continuing care setting such as supportive living (designated supportive living or DSL), senior lodges, long term care, and group homes.

Students will integrate and implement the knowledge they have learned in courses 1–4 in the clinical setting. Students will provide client care that is safe, ethical, and respectful based on the needs of the client. Care that meets these standards is known as person-centred care.

During the second clinical placement experience, students will experience the role of the HCA by working under the direction of a regulated health-care professional (e.g. LPN, RN, RPN). Students will have the opportunity to work in a variety of health care settings such as continuing care or acute care.

Students will integrate and implement the knowledge they have learned in all the courses 1-7 in the clinical setting. Students will provide person-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.

This is the final clinical placement course, where students will practice the role of the HCA. Students will be working under the supervision of a regulated health care professional (e.g. LPN, RN, RPN) and buddied with an HCA. Students will work in a variety of health care settings, such as continuing care or acute care.

Students will integrate and implement the knowledge they have learned throughout the HCA Program, which will guide them in providing person-centred care and support for clients and their families; that care is safe, ethical, and respectful.