Health Care Aide

• Medicine Hat, Fall (September to April): In person classes, labs, and learning activities, generally scheduled Monday through Friday at the Medicine Hat campus.
• Medicine Hat, Winter (January to August): Synchronous online lectures with recordings available for review, plus in person lab training at the Medicine Hat campus.
• Brooks, Fall (September to April): In person classes, labs, and learning activities, generally scheduled Monday through Friday at the Brooks campus.

Clinical placements take place in Medicine Hat for Medicine Hat students and in Brooks and surrounding communities for Brooks students.

The Health Care Aide (HCA) program offers dual credit opportunities for eligible high school students. This allows students to earn college credits while finishing high school and exploring a future career in health care.

Courses are delivered through a blended learning model that combines online theory with required on-campus labs. As students complete the program, they'll earn both high school and college credit toward a Government of Alberta-approved Health Care Aide credential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HCA dual credit program?
The HCA dual credit program allows eligible high school students to complete the first 4 courses in the Health Care Aide program while still in high school, earning both high school and post-secondary credit.

Who is eligible to participate?
Students may begin the HCA dual credit pathway as early as Grade 10, provided they meet English Language Arts requirements and continue to meet academic standards throughout the program.

How is the program delivered?
Courses are delivered through a blended model, with asynchronous online theory and mandatory on campus lab experiences held in Medicine Hat.

What courses do dual credit students complete?
Dual credit students complete the first four HCA courses, focusing on foundational knowledge, communication, and person-centered care.

Do students need to attend campus?
Yes. While theory is completed online, on campus attendance is required for hands on lab experiences in course 4 to demonstrate practical skills.

What happens after high school graduation?
After graduating, students apply as post-secondary learners to complete the final courses and clinical placements, allowing them to finish the full HCA certificate and move toward registration and employment.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply early, as program space fills quickly each intake.

You must submit the following documentation prior to the first day of classes: 

• CPR Certificate - Basic Life Support / Health Provider Level Certification
• Emergency Contact and Health Form
• Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check
• Immunization Records
• N95 Mask Fitting Test

Visit the Post-Admission Document Requirements page for more information.

CPR Requirements
Students are required to have a valid CPR certificate that meets the following criteria:

• Issued by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Red Cross, or St. John Ambulance
• Includes a hands-on practical component
• Remains valid throughout the 8-month program 
• Does not require First Aid certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) is the recommended level for healthcare providers.

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International Student Work Placement Requirements
Upon admission to the program, international students must meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements to participate in their program's mandatory work placement. This requirement is satisfied by having a condition on their study permit that authorizes them to work on campus. The International Education Office collects and verifies this information. 

For more information, please contact the International Education Department. 

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Digital Literacy
Applicants are expected to have basic computer/digital skills to be successful in the program. They must be able to:

• Effectively communicate through digital tools (for example, email).
• Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
• Effectively use digital tools to create text (for example, Word documents).
• Connect, share, and collaborate with others in the digital environment.
• Demonstrate responsible computer/digital tool use. 

A Student Declaration is required at the time of registration. 

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Technology Requirements
Students will require:

• Access to a computer or laptop.
• Reliable high-speed internet.
• A webcam and microphone.
• Access to email and online learning platforms.

Students may also be required to install additional software used within the program for exam proctoring.

How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online through ApplyAlberta. There is a $75 non-refundable application fee. Information about the application process can be found here. 

The Health Care Aide program fills up fast and seats are offered first come first serve to eligible students.

Apply for free at the Medicine Hat Campus Open House on October 27, 2026 or at the Brooks Campus Open House on November 18, 2026.

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Can I receive credit for previous Health Care Aide experience?
Medicine Hat College will be offering the 2026 Government of Alberta Health Care Aide (HCA) Provincial Curriculum beginning September 2027. Students who began the Health Care Aide program prior to the Fall 2027 semester will be required to complete the necessary bridging components before entering the 2026 curriculum.

Individuals with related Health Care Aide work experience may be eligible for assessment through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

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When do I register for classes and how do I know what classes to take?
After receiving an offer of admission, students must pay the required non-refundable seat deposit to confirm their place in the program. Students are then automatically registered in the required courses for each semester.

Program orientation information, including schedules and course details, will be sent to the student's MHC email account before classes begin.

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What does lab training involve?
Laboratory classes are delivered in person at the Medicine Hat and Brooks campuses. Lab schedules are provided during orientation and at the start of the program.

Students must successfully complete all required laboratory evaluations within designated courses. Attendance at all lab sessions is mandatory, and laboratory courses are graded as Successful or Unsuccessful.

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What can I expect during clinical placements?
Clinical placements may be scheduled in Medicine Hat, Brooks, or neighboring communities, as required. Students must be available to work day, evening, and weekend shifts during their placements.

Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation and childcare, if needed.

Please note: Upon admission to the program, international students must meet Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements to participate in their program's mandatory work placement. This requirement is satisfied by having a condition on their study permit that authorizes them to work on campus. 

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What are the requirements to complete the program?
Program Expectations
Throughout the program, students are expected to maintain standards related to:

• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Professional appearance
• Professional conduct
• Responsiveness to feedback
• Safe client care

Students whose performance raises concerns related to client safety or professional standards may be removed from laboratory or clinical settings. Continued inability to meet program expectations may result in dismissal from the program.

Students who are unsuccessful in one or more courses may retain credit for successfully completed courses and may be eligible for future re-entry, subject to program availability.

All theory courses must be successfully completed before progressing to the corresponding clinical placement.

Graduation Requirements
To successfully complete the program and graduate, students must:

• Achieve a minimum final grade of 70% in each theory course
• Successfully complete all required laboratory components
• Successfully complete all clinical placement courses
• Demonstrate safe, professional, and ethical practice throughout the program

Theory courses are graded numerically, while laboratory and clinical components are graded as Successful or Unsuccessful.

Becoming a Registered Health Care Aide
Upon graduation, students must successfully complete the Alberta Health Care Aide Registration Exam (AHRE) to become a registered Health Care Aide in Alberta through the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta (CLHA).