Health Care Aide Program ( HCA ) / Personal Care Attendant Program ( PCA )

The Health Care Aide / Personal Care Attendant program is 4 months in duration and is designed for adult education through Home-Study, Classroom Teaching,  Lab Workshops,  Hospital Practicum and Community Practicums. Telephone tutorial/help is available throughout the course, 6 days per week.   The program is designed to provide students with the necessary medical knowledge, technical skills and clinical work experiences to secure employment providing quality hands on nursing care in a wide variety of health care settings. Upon successful completion of the HCA / PCA program, students will receive a Career Designs HCA / PCA  certificate which  is licensed under Alberta Advanced Education.

There is a variety of rewarding careers in a wide variety of health care settings available to you upon successful completion of this program. Remember, Caring Careers Make a Difference.

STUDIES INCLUDE:

41 Self-study modules to be completed in 11 weeks.

Each module contains a self-test at the end with answers provided.  This is a learning tool, designed to help you monitor your progress throughout the program.

Telephone Tutorial with an instructor is available throughout the program.

Also included in the Program are 4 - Home Study Assignments

13 Classroom / Lab instruction days ( 117 hours ) including Emergency First Aid / Adult CPR.

The Calgary Health Region's ( CHR )   Safe Food Handling Certification is also included in the program.

Written exams and clinical evaluations ( competency based ) are conducted throughout the program.

Clinical Hospital Practicum -  ( 160 hours )

      When the students have successfully passed their written exams and clinical lab evaluations, they are then placed in the hospital, with an Instructor on-site, for a 4-week, practical work experience.

Community Care Practicum  - 35 hours

       Following the 4- week hospital work experience practicum,  there will be 35 hours of community-based practicum including,  

       Homecare and Personal Care Homes ( Group Homes ).