Health Care Aide

Admission Requirements Tuition and Fees Program Structure

The Health Care Aide (HCA) certificate provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to practice as a Health Care Aide.  HCAs are currently an unregulated workforce that provide basic health services and support with activities of daily living activities for clients who have medical conditions or major functional limitations. However, professional regulatory oversight will be undertaken by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA). HCAs work under the direct or indirect supervision of a regulated health professional, such as a registered or licensed practical nurse, in a variety of healthcare settings.

Admission requirements

Applications for this program will close on the first day of class. Offer of admission for eligible applicants may continue based on available seats until the end of the first week of classes. Students will be required to register in the program on or before the end of the first week of classes.

 Program Note: Digital literacy is required.
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.

Tuition and fees

Alberta Health, in partnership with Alberta Health Services, has launched a health care aide tuition bursary program to assist individuals starting their health care aide careers. This initiative aims to expand the number of qualified health care aides for continuing care facilities across the province, particularly in rural Alberta, where the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted increased need. 

Apply now  to Keyano College for the Winter 2023 Health Care Aide  program to start working towards an exciting career! Please email nursing@keyano.ca for additional information or if you have any questions.

Please note, these estimates are based on 100% enrollment for all semesters and do not include mandatory laboratory fees. Laboratory fees can range from $29 - $122.

* Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage - deadlines can be found at StudentCare website. 
** These programs have a mandatory Spring semester if students intend to graduate on time.
*** Tuition is due 10 business days before the start of each semester.

For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar.

Program Structure

Current students, please use your Program Registration Guide when registering for courses.

Which bursary should you apply for?

1)      Were you enrolled in an Alberta licensed health care aide program for any amount of time between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022, or have you received a health care aide program certificate either during this time or afterwards?

• Apply to the Financial Incentive Program

The Financial Incentive Program is funded by the Government of Alberta in partnership with Alberta Health Services and administered by NorQuest College. The financial incentive program supports individuals enrolled in Alberta licensed health care aide programs prior to the availability of the Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary Program. This bursary aims is to immediately increase the number of health care aides working for continuing care operators in Alberta.

One of the following financial incentive program incentives are available for eligible students:

$2,000 – Eligible student works as a health care aide in a home care CC site in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, or within 50 km of those cities’ limits.

$3,000 – Eligible student works as a health care aide in a continuing care operator that is between 51 km to 100 km from Edmonton, Calgary, or Red Deer’s city limits; or Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, or within 50 km of those cities’ limits.

$4,000 – Eligible Student works as a health care aide in a continuing care operator in Grande Prairie or any rural area not included in other definitions.

2)      Are you currently enrolled full-time in an Alberta licensed health care aide program that begins on or after July 1, 2022, or are you enrolled in an Alberta secondary school and some or all your tuition is not paid by your secondary school?

·         Apply to the Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary Program (Regular or Dual Credit) The Health Care Aide Tuition Bursary Program is funded by the Government of Alberta in partnership with Alberta Health Services and administered by NorQuest College. The goal of the bursary is to increase the number of students enrolled in a licensed health care aide program and the number of health care aides working for Alberta Continuing Care Operators (community and facility) post-graduation.