Health Care Aide Certificate Program
We are currently accepting applications for the winter intake of 2025. The full time program runs from January 6, 2025 to May 22, 2025. The part time hybrid program runs from January 7 to September 16, 2025.
Requirements:
- Grade 12 Academic Diploma
- Current clear Criminal & Child Abuse Registry Checks
- Up-to-date and complete Record of Immunizations
- A letter from your Doctor confirming that you are healthy to carry out the duties of a Health Care Aide
- English Language proficiency
- Potential students may be interviewed
Cost: $4,225
Details:
- Full-time (Fall Intake: August to December, Monday to Friday; Winter Intake: January to May, Monday to Friday).
- Part-time (September to June, evenings and weekends; Part-time Hybrid, January to September).*
*Hybrid programming includes a combination of in-person and online instruction.
Topics Covered:
- Health Care System & Role of the HCA (20 hours)
- Communication & Interpersonal Relationships (40 hours)
- Safety in Acute, Long-Term and Community Settings (21 hours)
- The Life Cycle (40 hours)
- Gerontology (30 hours)
- Caring for Clients in the Community (22 hours)
- Caring for Clients in Long-Term Care (30 hours)
- Body Structure and Function (50 hours)
- Activities of Daily Living (100 hours)
- Practicum #1 (120 hours)
- Practicum #2 (120 hours)
- CPR (8 hours)
- Food Safe (8 hours)
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (11 hours)
- Total hours for all components of the program: 620 hours
Textbooks: Sorrentino, Sheila. "Mosby's Canadian Textbook for Support Workers"
*Pass mark of 75% must be attained on all tests, quizzes and final exam*
Tuition includes the text and supporting materials and one uniform. In addition, students will need a watch with a sweep second hand and comfortable shoes.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Acquire the knowledge and skill to become a health care worker who, under the supervision of a nurse, assists hospital patients, personal care home residents, or home care clients with meeting their physical, emotional, and social needs. You will be provided with opportunities to practice learned theory in actual practice settings in health care agencies. In addition, the program includes an extensive anatomy and physiology of the human body component that would be beneficial to students interested in future studies in Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse programs. The Winnipeg Regional and Central Manitoba Health Authorities have recognized graduates of the Health Care Aide program. There is an advisory group for consultation.
Health Care System & Role of the HCA (20 hours)
This course will give students an understanding of the role of the health care aide and its relationship to the team in a variety of health care environments.
Communication & Interpersonal Relationships (40 hours)
This course will focus on interpersonal communication, barriers to communication, client care, medical terminology, working with families and speech and language disorders, hearing and vision problems.
Safety in Acute, Long-Term and Community Settings (21 hours)
This course will give students the knowledge of preventing infection, common communicable diseases, routine practices/isolation techniques, safe restraint use, fire prevention, WHMIS and emergency codes.
The Life Cycle (40 hours)
An introduction to the development stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood, along with the physical and emotional needs in each stage. Social well-being and touch, intimacy and sexuality are also discussed.
Gerontology (30 hours)
Students will learn about the aging process & theories, caring for older adults, emotional, social & physical changes, community resources and programs, elder abuse and neglect.
Caring for Clients in the Community (22 hours)
Students will learn about home safety, home management including cleaning, laundry and meal preparation. Students will also learn to assist with medication in the home, home emergencies and orientation to WRHA Home Care Services.
Caring for Clients in Long-Term Care (30 hours)
This course will focus on common diseases and conditions, dementia and confusion, rehabilitation and restorative care, palliative care and mental disorders.
Body Structure and Function (50 hours)
Students will learn about the cells, tissues and organs, various body systems and their function. The body systems covered are the integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous system, sense organs, circulatory, immune, digestive, urinary and reproductive and endocrine systems.
Activities of Daily Living (100 hours)
Students will learn body mechanics, body positioning, safe patient lifts and transfers, range of motion and activity exercises, wound care, bed making, personal hygiene, grooming and dressing.
Practicum (240 hours)
The practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and skills in the practice environment.
The following courses are also included in the program. Exemptions may be granted for those who already have current certificates in these courses. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Food Safe (8 hours)
This certificate is now required for employees handling food who have contact with the public.
CPR (8 hours)
This course covers the skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies and choking in adults and children.
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (11 hours)
This course teaches the skills to work effectively with potentially anxious, agitated, aggressive and even assaultive people. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is a program designed to help develop and improve communication skills to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations and an integral part of an overall plan to develop safe and caring environments.