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CAREERS

Health Care Aide

Facilitating daily life

Health care aides (also known as HCAs) provide valuable personal assistance and support services for people who are ill, elderly, or have a disability on a short-term basis or as ongoing support.

The demand for health care aides continues to grow as an important and necessary role in delivering health care in Alberta, making it a great career choice.

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Compensation

Uncertified: $20.78 per hour

Certified: $21.43 to $25.52 per hour

Other benefits

Union

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Auxiliary Nursing

Education

Health care aide certificate

OR

Get certified through AHS. See the HCA Training Program below.

Registration

Alberta Health Care Aide Directory

Duties

  • Provide daily living support and comfort to patients, clients and residents by assisting with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting and other personal hygiene activities, as well as feeding, mobility and exercise as needed
  • Communicate effectively with patients/residents, patient family members and their team members
  • Report on their observations and communicate concerns to nurses and other licensed health care professionals

Work Collaboratively

  • Work collaboratively with nursing professionals and other members of the overall health care team.
  • Clearly communicate with patients and families to express and relay concerns, changes, and essential information
  • Work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, continuing care facilities, and within patient/client home settings

Make a Difference

  • Provide personal assistance and support services for people who are ill, elderly, or have a disability
  • Provide dignified care, compassion, and support to people with chronic and/or complex medical conditions, physical or cognitive disabilities, or at end-of-life
  • Offer patience and understanding to patients who may have mental or emotional challenges, in addition to physical limitations

Grow Your Career

  • Healthcare leadership and management
  • Health system administration

HCA Training Program

As of Sept. 1, 2022, AHS offers a training program for uncertified HCAs (in permanent full or part time positions in rural or remote areas of Alberta) to become certified.

Through the program, newly hired uncertified HCAs will receive orientation and support to enrol in a licensed HCA education program.

The program enables HCAs to continue working while earning their certification. The program takes about 8-12 months to complete and the tuition is covered by AHS. If you’d like to become a HCA and earn your certificate while you work, click on the link below to explore our job postings.

If you have questions about the program, please view the HCA Training Program Primer or contact hca.info@ahs.ca.

Additional Information

To learn more about a career as a Health Care Aide in our province visit Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS).