Health Care Aide
HERE YOU CAN.
The Health Care Aide program is a six-month certificate program that prepares students to function as a health care team member in institutional and community settings. The program is available in a number of locations.
Program Overview
Although the program is offered on a full time basis during the day, clinical courses may be scheduled during the evening and on weekends. Students have up to five years to complete program requirements from the year of admission.
Graduates of the program will be knowledgeable about the basic functional requirements of individuals and families who are experiencing commonly occurring short-term and chronic mental health, physical, emotional and spiritual challenges. Chronicity, aging issues, and death and dying are explored, as well as a variety of health problems. Skills for the provision of personal care are practiced in a simulated laboratory setting prior to the actual administration of care. Graduates will be able to provide safe, ethical, empathetic, and wholistic care that is client-focused and culturally sensitive within the realms of legal health care practice.
Why Study Health Care Aide at UCN?
- Graduates of the program will be knowledgeable about the basic functional requirements of individuals and families who are experiencing commonly occurring short-term and chronic mental health, physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.
- Skills for the provision of personal care are practiced in a simulated laboratory setting prior to the actual administration of care.
- Graduates will be able to provide safe, ethical, empathetic, and wholistic care that is client-focused and culturally sensitive within the realms of legal health care practice.
Career Outcomes and Community
Career Pathways
The Health Care Aide program prepares individuals to assist clients with personal care and activities of daily living. Clients with acute and chronic
illnesses are cared for in the community and institutional settings such as
- Long-term care facilities
- Hospitals
- Community housing facilities (e.g.
elderly persons housing and group homes).
Alumni & Student Spotlights and Related Stories
A Head Start in Healthcare – UCN Dual Credit HCA Program
Read about Meadow's journey through the health care aide program.
Program Schedule
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ABS1001 | Waskawimakanwa Mecimwaci Isihtwawina | 1 |
| NUR 1720 | Roles and Functions of the Health Care Aide | 10 |
| NUR 1740 | Care of Clients with Health Problems | 10 |
| NUR 1810 | Community Based Care | 2 |
| NUR 1712 | HCA Practice 1: Institutionally Based Caregiving | 3 |
| NUR 1822 | HCA Practice 2: Community Based Caregiving | 1 |
| UR 1832 | HCA Practice 3: Transition to Graduation | 2 |
Admissions
Requirements
a. Grade 12 Graduate,
b. Or equivalency,
c. Or mature student with verified reading and comprehension skills at a level acceptable to UCN
d. Or Special Consideration may be given to those applicants meeting the following requirements:
- Must be a currently practicing uncertified health care aide
- Must have been employed in a healthcare setting as an uncertified health care aide for at least 300 hours in the last 12 months of employment. These hours must be employer verified;
- A communication skills checklist must be completed by the health care aide applicant’s manager and sent by the manager to UCN;
- An interview will be held between the health care aide applicant and the HCA Program Coordinator, this interview will be in person or via a video-based platform such as a Teams or Zoom.
Non-Academic Admission Requirements
- Child Abuse Registry Check – As it can take up to 120 days to obtain this document, it is recommended that students apply for the Child Abuse Registry check immediately upon acceptance into the program.Any student on the Child Abuse Registry will be dismissed from the program.
- Adult Abuse Registry Check – As it can take up to 120 days to obtain this document, it is recommended that students apply for the Adult Abuse Registry check immediately upon acceptance into the program.Any student on the Adult Abuse Registry will be dismissed from the program.
- Criminal Record Check – Students must provide a Criminal Record Search Certificate, including Vulnerable Persons Search. As it can take up to 120 days to obtain these documents, it is recommended that students apply for the Criminal Record Search certificate and Vulnerable Persons Search immediately upon acceptance into the program.Any student accepted in to the HCA program with a history of a criminal conviction should contact an Academic Advisor before registering for courses. A criminal conviction will not necessarily result in dismissal from the program; however, criminal offences will be reviewed by the Regional Health Authority and a determination will be made as to the availability of clinical placements for the student in question.
- Immunization – As it may take a number of months to complete the immunization requirements, it is recommended that all students start their immunizations immediately upon acceptance into the program.Any student with an incomplete immunization will be barred from attending clinical.
- CPR Certification – CPR (BLS) certification should be obtained and submitted to the Faculty of Nursing at a minimum one month prior to commencement of clinical or as requested by instructor.Any student without a current CPR (BLS) certification will be barred from attending clinical.
Health Care Aide Requisite Skills and Abilities: There are a number of fundamental skills and abilities that a student must possess in order to work as a Health Care Aide. These essential skills are required in order to be able to work competently in a variety of settings. This information can be used by prospective students in order to determine whether they are able to meet the demands of this career. Health Care Aide Requisite Skills and Abilities
Estimated Cost
$5046.11
Application Fee
- Domestic Student Application Fee: $50
- International Student Application Fee: $158
Important Dates and Deadlines
-
Semester Start DateSeptember 4, 2025
Forms and Documents
Occurrence/Incident Report Form (Students are to complete a form as soon as possible following an incident or occurrence that has taken place during a clinical rotation, whether it is a near miss or an actual error.)
- Child Abuse Registry Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the Government of Manitoba website.
- Adult Abuse Registry Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the Government of Manitoba
- Criminal Record Check: information regarding the check and access to the form is available at the RCMP website.
- Immunization: click on this link to access a copy of the UCN Nursing Programs Immunization form