Health Care Aide

Train for a rewarding career in Alberta’s growing healthcare sector. The Health Care Aide Certificate Program at Bow Valley College equips you with the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge required to support individuals in hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health settings.

This certified program follows the Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum (2019), ensuring you receive a recognized qualification to launch your healthcare career confidently.

Program Overview

The Health Care Aide Certificate focuses on essential caregiving competencies, including:

You’ll learn through in-class instruction, hands-on lab simulations, and real-world clinical placements, giving you the practical experience required to thrive in healthcare environments.

Program Delivery Options

Due to high demand, early application is encouraged (minimum 8 months before the intake date).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

To prepare you for the workforce, you’ll complete clinical placements at healthcare facilities in Calgary or surrounding regions. These placements may involve:

International students must obtain a co-op work permit before participating in WIL.

Facilities & Learning Environment

Training includes access to seven realistic healthcare labs equipped with hospital-grade beds, medical tools, and manikins—giving you the ability to practice and perfect your caregiving skills in a safe environment.

Graduation & Certification Requirements

To earn your Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Certificate, students must:

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for roles such as:

You’ll be qualified to support patients with a wide range of health needs in hospitals, care homes, private residences, and community health organizations.

Program Requirements
  • Academic Requirement: English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2 with a minimum grade of 60%, or English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 with a minimum grade of 55%
  • ELP Requirement: IELTS 6.0 (5.5), TOEFL: 71, Duolingo: 95
Refund Policy
  • If you withdraw from a credit course, it is your responsibility to tell the Registrar as soon as possible.
  • You must complete a Drop/Withdrawal form.
  • If you want a refund, you have to tell the Registrar that you are withdrawing before the drop deadline.
  • The College calculates your refund based on the date you stopped attending classes.
  • If you withdraw before the first day of classes you will get a 100% refund of tuition (minus the Confirmation Deposit).
  • You will get a 100% refund of mandatory fees and third party fees.
  • If you withdraw after the first day of classes but before the Drop Deadline, you will get a 100% refund of tuition and some fees. Some fees will not be refunded.
  • If you withdraw after the Drop Deadline you will not get a refund.
  • The College does not refund application fees.
  • If you submit proof of Visa/ study permit refusal by November 26 (Visa Approval/Denial Deadline). The $1,500 confirmation deposit and any additional *tuition and fees paid will be refunded. To qualify for a tuition refund students must first drop all registered courses in their MyBVC student portal. Students in these programs are personally responsible for emailing registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca to request their courses be dropped to qualify for a refund.
  • We recommend you review the tuition and fees, refund and important dates and deadlines pages for additional relevant information.
Key Facts
  • Application Fee: $140
  • LOA Deposit: $1,500
  • Annual Tuition Fee: $20,789
  • Total Tuition Fee: $20,789
  • Course Duration: 1 Year
  • Credentials: Certificate
  • Intake: September 2026
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