Health Care Aide Certificate Program

• English 20-1 or 20-2 with a minimum score of 60% achieved or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent;
  or
• 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 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.

Notes:

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.

Candidates where English is a Second Language (ESL) must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement. Equivalencies are as follows:

• By presenting a Canadian High School Equivalency Diploma (General Education Development- test (GED)), or
• By 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; or
• Providing evidence of attending two consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English in a subject other than a HCA program at a Canadian institution; or
• By completing an Approved ELP Test with the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): A minimum CLB of 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and not an average of 7.
• Official test results must be submitted directly to the PSI.

PSIs will accept submissions from any one of the following approved ELP tests:

1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6 (no section score below 5.5);
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Testing (TOEFL iBT): 71;
3. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: 7 (with no section score below 6);
4. Canadian Language Benchmarks Tests (7 in each strand, not an average of 7);
5. Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 95); and
6. Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): 7 in each area of listening, reading, writing and speaking, not an average of 7);

Notes
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.

Candidates must possess knowledge of computer/technology tools to be successful in the program. Candidates must:

• 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

Dual Credit students may start the HCA program in grade 10 and must meet the ELA requirements by the end of grade 11.

The entry requirements for Dual Credit students is English 10-2 60%, and students must meet English 20-2 to 60% by the end of grade 11 to remain in the program. For schools that will offer the entire HCA program, this is approximately half-way through, after Course 5.

Dual Credit Delivery Options
PSIs in consultation with secondary schools and or school division may choose to have students:

• Complete the entire HCA program in high school, with clinical placements usually taking place in the summers; or
• Complete the first half of the program, including the first clinical placement (course 5), which may occur during the summer after grade 12. After high school completion, the student must enroll as a post-secondary student.

Alberta Health implemented policies and program standards for the HCA program. This includes policies which address transfer credits and the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Please refer to the Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum and Licensing Policies and the Government of Alberta HCA Provincial Curriculum Program Standards.