Health Care Aide

Health & Community Studies

Health Care Aide

NOC-3413

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Program Description

Do you enjoy helping people? Are you a caring person who has great compassion and empathy for others? A career as a Health Care Aide might be for you.

The Health Care Aide program is a full time program delivered as a one-year certificate. Courses and practicums are designed to prepare you to assist individuals who wish to remain independent and in their own homes or provide assistance to those living in special care homes. You will be trained to effectively care for and assist seniors and individuals who may face physical or mental challenges. The Health Care Aide program is available at SIIT Campus Locations.

Graduates can expect to work as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 3413) and assist nurses, hospital staff and physicians in the basic care of patients. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care facilities for the elderly and other health care establishments. Most employers require criminal record and vulnerable sector checks.

Admission Requirements

Regular Grade 12/Adult 12/GED

Non-Academic Requirements:

Criminal Record Check (CPIC)
Vulnerable Sector Check
Up-to-date Immunization Record
Applicants should be physically and personally suited to perform required duties.

Mature Admission Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older
The applicant must have a minimum of five years related work experience
Complete an academic assessment and achieve a Grade 11 minimum;
Provide an updated resume
Provide official transcripts if available

Acceptance Policy

Strong preference is given to applicants who are Status First Nations, but SIIT programs are open to anyone.

English Language Benchmark

SIIT is not currently legislated to accept International Students. You must be a Canadian/ Permanent Resident to apply.

To be admitted into this program you must be able to understand and communicate in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment of six – CLB6).

Courses

INCG 110 introduction to Caregiving
SAEN 110 Safe Environment
BDSY 110 Body Systems
PRCR 110 Personal Care I
PRCR 111 Personal Care II
COMM 110 Communication 1
COMM 111 Communication 2
HGRD 110 Human Growth & Development
FAML 111 Families
RRRS 112 Recognize, Respond & Record
SPND 110 Special Needs I
SPND 111 Special Needs II
SPND 112 Special Needs III
SPND 113 Special Needs IV
NUTR 110 Nutrition
ABUS 110 Abuse
DEMT 110 Dementia
PACR 110 Post Acute Care
PRAC 110 Practicum I
PRAC 112 Practicum

Tuition and Fees

Tuition	Textbook	Compulsory Fees	Total*
$5,198.00	$374.00	$1,212.00	$7,962.00
Please note: All tuition and fees are subject to change. Compulsory fees may include: student fees, field trip and/or practicum fees, laboratory fees, apprenticeship fees, PPE & other equipment, exam fees, online fees, consumables, safety and first aid training, and tools. Total amount does not include the required UPass Transit Bus Pass for Saskatoon & Regina students.

Additional Fees- U-Pass - Saskatoon and Regina Transit Bus Passes

UPass
$278.00 per year	The U-Pass is a City Transit bus pass for students that allow you to save on transportation costs. The U-Pass fee is provided at a reduced cost compared to a standard monthly City Transit pass and is mandatory for most SIIT students in Saskatoon and Regina. You may use the U-Pass as many times as you would like during the academic term. Students who meet certain requirements can opt-out of the U-Pass. Please contact the Admissions department for more information.
Please note: U-Pass fees are subject to change.

UPass

$278.00 per year

The U-Pass is a City Transit bus pass for students that allow you to save on transportation costs. The U-Pass fee is provided at a reduced cost compared to a standard monthly City Transit pass and is mandatory for most SIIT students in Saskatoon and Regina. You may use the U-Pass as many times as you would like during the academic term. Students who meet certain requirements can opt-out of the U-Pass. Please contact the Admissions department for more information.

Please note: U-Pass fees are subject to change.

Funding

Depending on your status, different forms of financial assistance are available to you. Please click here to explore options for funding. If you require assistance finding funding, please contact supportservices@siit.ca.

What to Expect

Day to Day

Delivery Method

Classroom and hands on learning (50%/50%), Monday to Friday, 6 hours per day.
5-10 hours per week of independent and group learning (homework learning).
Safety and Wellness Training is provided as part of the Health Care Aide Program and includes: CPR/Standard First Aid, TLR (Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning), GPA (Gentle Persuasive Approaches for dementia patients), Mental Health First Aid and PART (Professional Assault Response Training).

Work Integrated Learning

Students in the First Health Care Aide Program have the opportunity to complete three practicums (1 X two weeks and 2 X three weeks). You must provide a current criminal record and vulnerable sector check to participate.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for academic success. Each program has specific attendance requirements that must be adhered to in order to graduate.

If you have been approved for funding, you must maintain the attendance required by your sponsoring agency to remain eligible to receive payment.

Graduation Requirements and Credential

You must maintain a GPA of 60% to graduate. Graduates will receive a Health Care Aide Certificate and an SIIT Transcript./p>

Additional Licensing Required for Employment

Required safety certificates are completed during the course. In some cases, an appropriate class of driver’s license may be required.

Career Path

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Graduates of this program can find employment as nurses aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413).

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates assist nurses, hospital staff and physicians in the basic care of patients. They are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care facilities for the elderly and other health care establishments. A career as a health care aide will involve tending to the personal needs of those who are unable to care for themselves. Duties may include: skin care, hair care, mouth care, bathing, bowel and bladder care, positioning and movement, exercise, basic wound care, feeding (including special diets), and assistance with oxygen administration and medication reminders.

In Saskatchewan, nurses aides, orderlies, and patient service associates are in high demand. The average annual salary for nurses aides, orderlies, and patient service associates is $46,900. (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/labour-market-information)

For assistance finding employment, please contact your local SIIT Career Centre.

Additional Post-Secondary Opportunities & Credit Transfer

To explore further education at SIIT, click here (link to Programs page). You can also explore diploma or degree options at other colleges or universities.

If you have a specific program or career path in mind, it is a good idea to check the prerequisites required. Our Academic Advisors can help you plan for further education.