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Health Care Aide

Health Care Aide

Contact Us

Jessica Amundrud
Health and Wellness Enrolment Specialist
 780 871 5429
 780 808 0006
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Schedule time with Jessica
LocationLloydminster
CredentialCertificate
Program Length1 year
Delivery MethodFace-to-face

Excel at offering in-demand, quality care as a health care aide. 

You’ll be on the front lines in less than year with our full-time program.

You’ll learn to provide: 

  • client-centred care 
  • personal grooming and hygiene
  • medical delivery assistance

You’ll put your learning into action at 3 different settings. You will complete 320 hours of clinical placement, providing valuable opportunities to practice your skills in real-world settings.

You’re prepared to be a key member of the health care team. As a grad, you're qualified to work with people who need individual care in:

  • home care
  • long-term care
  • assisted living facilities
  • hospices
  • hospitals and health centres

Requirements

The Government of Alberta has set the entry requirements for the licensed Health Care Aide program.

There are 2 types of English language requirements - academic and language proficiency. You must meet both of those requirements.

1. Academic English with a minimum of either: 

  • 60% in English 20-1 or 20-2 or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent
  • 55% in English 30-1 or 30-2 or Canadian jurisdiction equivalent

2. Proof of English language proficiency as outlined by the Government of Alberta. See below.  

Notes:

  • If you do not meet the academic English requirement with the minimum grade OR you completed your high school education outside of Canada, you must complete an ACCUPLACER assessment test. Review our special admissions information.
  • The English language proficiency requirement for the Health Care Aide program is different than Lakeland College's English language proficiency requirement for all other programs. Refer to the Government of Alberta English language proficiency requirement below.
  • If you completed high school outside of Alberta, check provincial subject equivalents.
  • If you are an international student, please check eligible programs.

English Language Proficiency requirement must be met in one of the following ways:

  1. By completing a high school equivalency diploma, General Education Development (GED) in Canada.
  2. By completing high school in Canada. Studies must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12) with at least 3 consecutive years of full-time academic study.
  3. By completing a recognized post-secondary degree or diploma program in Canada. The program must have involved at least 2 full years of full-time, consecutive academic study in English.
  4. By completing an approved English language proficiency test and achieving the required results. The accepted tests are:
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 on each band score on the academic test.
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): minimum score of 71 on the internet-based test (iBT).
    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): minimum score of 7, with no section score below 6 on the general test.
    • Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestones Test: minimum score of 7 in each strand.
    • Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): minimum score of 7 in each area; listening, reading, writing and speaking. 
    • Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 100 overall, with no sub-score below 95.

Please note about your proficiency tests:

  1. Your official results must be submitted directly to Lakeland College.
  2. Your results must be from a test within two years of your program's start date.
  3. IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire before the program start date won't be accepted.

After you've been accepted into the program, you must also meet these program requirements.

Refer to our immunization requirements document for instructions.

Submit a copy of your immunization history to Health Services on or before the program start date by:

Note:

  • Measles/MMR: 2 doses required regardless of ​when you were born.
  • If there is an outbreak of a virus at your practicum placement and you have not received the strongly recommended immunizations, there is a possibility that you will not be able to complete your practicum.
You will be working in an environment where there is potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids, therefore it is strongly recommended that all your immunizations be kept up to date.
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis: dates of primary series and one dose over the age of 18, regardless of past immunization history.
  • Varicella: History of chicken pox disease. If no history, then a positive varicella titre.
  • Rubella: Date of rubella vaccine or positive rubella titre.
  • Tuberculin Test: Annual one or two step skin testing, unless known positive. Also known as Mantoux.
  • Hepatitis B: Series of three doses must be started before program start date.
  • Hepatitis B Titre: Done 1-6 months after the third dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine.
  • Polio: Dates of primary series.
  • Flu vaccine.
  • COVID-19 vaccine: 2 doses. Follow Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines.

The program includes 3 clinical placements, which occur on a full-time, Monday to Sunday basis and could involve shift work. In total you’ll spend 320 hours in continuing care, acute care and community/home care.

As a legal requirement to work in long-term care and assisted living facilities, a clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector check is required.

  • Contact your local RCMP detachment for cost and procedure.
  • This must be requested and issued within 3 months of the program start date.

Submit these documents to the Health & Wellness department on or before the program start date by: 

The following are mandatory certifications and must be valid to the program end date.
  • WHMIS
  • Standard First Aid
  • CPR-C

Submit these documents to the Health & Wellness department on or before the program start date by: 

If you don't provide the required documents you will be withdrawn from the program. If you can't provide these documents, please email admissions@lakelandcollege.ca to cancel your application or change your program choice.

As you prepare for your start date, review this important information.

Enrolment is the final step after you've been accepted, paid your tuition deposit, and the timetable has been set.

  • You will be automatically enrolled in your courses.
  • You can expect to be enrolled approximately 1 month before the program start date.
  • Once you've been enrolled, your schedule will be available in My Lakeland.

If you completed relevant courses at another post-secondary institution, you may be eligible for transfer credit. Apply for transfer credit at least 2 months before classes start by completing the transfer credit form.

Review all of the other ways Lakeland does prior learning assessments.

When you complete the program requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 and successfully complete the provincial comprehensive final exam, you will be awarded a Health Care Aide certificate.

More program details

2025-26 tuition and fees

Year Tuition and program fees Estimated books, supplies and field trips Mandatory fees
1 $7,178 $400 $928

2025-26 tuition and fees

Year Tuition and program fees Estimated books, supplies and field trips Mandatory fees
1 $17,930 $400 $1,186

Remember that studying includes other expenses than tuition and fees - you should also be budgeting for your accommodation and living expenses. Alberta student loan guidelines recommends $1,153/month.

Our tuition and fees page has details about academic, application and mandatory fees and their cost breakdown per term.

You can view your required textbooks ahead of time.

The Alberta government has offered bursaries to take the Health Care Aide program!

Check the details of how you could get a bursary

Our program matches the updated Alberta government health care aide curriculum.

Your weekly class schedule can be found on your My Lakeland student portal when available. This is usually one month prior to the program start date.

Important dates found below include your tuition due date, your program registration/start date, events and holidays.

Dates are subject to change. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.

Note: These dates are subject to change.

2025 Fall term/semester

Date Event
Aug 11 Fees due, fall term
Sept 2 Registration Day
Sept 3 First day of classes
Sept 10 Last day to add fall term courses
Sept 23 Last day to drop fall term courses
Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit
Sept 30 National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, college closed
Oct 13 Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 3 Last day to withdraw from fall term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 10-11 Fall break for students
Nov 11 Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 1 Fees due, winter term
Dec 12 Last day of classes
Dec 13 - Jan 5 Christmas break for students


2026 Winter term/semester

Date Event
Jan 6 First day ​of classes
Jan 13 Last day to add winter term courses
Jan 27 Last day to drop ​winter term courses
Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of winter term fees
Feb 16 Family Day, campus closed
Feb 16-20 Reading week/spring break
Mar 13 Last day to withdraw from winter term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit
Apr 3-6 Easter Break, college closed
Apr 24 Last day of classes
May 29 Lloydminster campus Convocation

 

Note: These dates are subject to change.

2026 Fall term/semester

Date Event
Aug 12 Fees due, fall term
Sep 1 Registration Day
Sep 2 First day of classes
Sep 7 Labor Day, college closed
Sep 9 Last day to add fall term courses
Sep 22 Last day to drop fall term courses
Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit
Sept 30 National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, college closed
Oct 12 Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 2 Last day to withdraw from fall term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 9-13 Fall break for students
Nov 11 Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 1 Fees due, winter term
Dec 18 Last day of classes
Dec 21 - Jan 4 Christmas break for students


2027 Winter term/semester

Date Event
Jan 5 First day ​of classes
Jan 12 Last day to add winter term courses
Jan 25 Last day to drop ​winter term courses
Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of winter term fees
Feb 15 Family Day, college closed
Feb 15-29 Reading week/spring break
Mar 12 Last day to withdraw from winter term courses with W grade or change from credit to audit
Mar 26-29 Easter Break, college closed
Apr 23 Last day of classes
May 28 Lloydminster campus Convocation

 

 

There are currently no available further study options for this program. 
If you want to explore other options in the health care field such as nursing, you'll need to meet academic and other requirements.
Student practicing skills on equipment

You'll spend time in our nursing labs with modern equipment and technology. Master client care while on practicum, gaining valuable experience.

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Student taking the blood pressure of a patient

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