How to Participate / Enrol in the HCA Program

Prairie Rose high school students (grade 11 and 12) who are interested in taking the Health Care Aide program should express their interest to their school high school counsellor prior to the end of the 2022-2023 school year in June. Any questions about participating the dual credit Health Care Aide program can be directed to the associated high school's academic advisor.

Program Delivery Model Overview

For Prairie Rose Public Schools learners, the delivery mode would be a blend of online for all theory classes and on site for all required hands-on lab experience. The Medicine Hat College will compress the lab hours into minimal dates rather than having many smaller labs. This will eliminate scheduling conflicts with extracurriculars and other student responsibilities. A local community site will be used for all required labs to eliminate the obstacle of travel for students. A site could include a local hospital or supportive care facility in their local hometown community.

What to Expect - Course Delivery

The courses would be delivered chronologically with one per term starting in term 1 of grade 11. The students would then join with the running HCAP (Health Care Aide Program) of their choice (Brooks or Medicine Hat). The curriculum delivery would be provided via our learning management system (LMS), Blackboard. The theory lessons could be offered at the students pace with pre-recorded lectures, built-in activities and readings, videos, and practice assessments. As a class, there would weekly virtual meet ups for community building. Lab Classwork: Hands-on lab experiences are varied throughout each course. The first 3 courses (HCAP140, 141, & 142) include labs that can be completed virtually; however, many will require a scheduled on-line lesson for group work. Course 3 has a small on-site lab and the rest of the hands-on labs will be in course 4.

Theory/Lab Summary of Hours

An overview of the four courses and the number of theory / lab hours includes the following:

1. HCAP140 / 45 hrs (40 theory hours/5 lab hours) Topics covered: Legislation, role of the health care aide, environmental safety, self-care and safety and functioning as a team member. 2. HCAP141 / 45 hrs (45 theory hours/0 lab hours) Topics covered: Body systems and function, human growth and development, aging and independence and chronic conditions. 3. HCAP142 / 60 hrs (30 theory hours/30 lab hours) Topics covered: Communication, dealing with conflict, cultural and diversity, documentation, communication impairments and related strategies. 4. HCAP143 / 75 hrs (29 theory hours/46 lab hours) Topics covered: Client grooming and personal hygiene, bathing and bedmaking, client mobility, positioning and transfers/lifts, nutrition and mealtimes and food safety.

Program Costs

➡ Uniform for all on site labs (white duty shoes and navy blue scrubs) ➡ Textbook, workbook and video package ($194.30) ➡ Learner guides (140-144) and lab skills guide ($67.05) ➡ Lab kit ($34) ➡ Transfer belt ($47) - not required until course 4 ➡ Name tag ($15) - not required until course 4

Learn more about the Health Care Aide Program offered through Medicine Hat College.