Nurse assisting patient in hospital bed

Program Explorer

Health Care Aide

Join the front lines of Manitoba’s health-care system, helping to keep our neighbours and communities safe.

Develop the skills and knowledge to succeed as a health-care worker, helping others live with dignity and independence.

The Health Care Aide program develops the knowledge and skills you need to become a health care aide, helping people remain independent while receiving care and treatment. Under the supervision of a nurse, you will assist hospital patients, personal care home residents or home care clients with their daily activities and physical, emotional and social needs.

  • Program Type
    Full-time and part-time options
  • Credential
    Certificate
  • Program Delivery
    In-person
  • In-person Locations
    Notre Dame Campus, Interlake and Peguis – Fisher River Campus, Portage Campus, Steinbach Campus and Winkler Campus
  • Intakes
    Fall and Winter
  • Program Length
    20 weeks
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $3,300 – $7,400
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Direct entry
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • Program Type
    Full-time and part-time options
  • Credential
    Certificate
  • Program Delivery
    Online hybrid
  • In-person Locations
    Interlake and Peguis – Fisher River Campus, Portage Campus, Steinbach Campus and Winkler Campus
  • Intakes
    Year-round registration available
  • Program Length
    Variable
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $4,800 – $5,600
  • How to Enrol
    Quick registration
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

Part-time Delivery: Flex Ed Benefits

Flexible education is at the core of RRC Polytech’s part-time programming. Take advantage of a wide variety of programs, courses, seminars and workshops that help you quickly get the skills you need, when and where you need them.

In this program, you will develop your health-care knowledge and skills while learning the expectations and responsibilities of a health care aide. You will also develop professional interpersonal communications skills and study growth and development, gerontological care and home care.

TERM 1

Build your knowledge through a combination of classroom theory, practical learning in simulated labs and clinical work experience in health care facilities.

ADVANCE, CHANGE OR START YOUR CAREER

Upskill and build on your existing experience or reskill and jump into a new career. Our part-time programming is full of accessible opportunities for every point in your learning journey.

LEARN ON YOUR SCHEDULE

Reaching your career goals has never been easier. Complete programs and courses to earn credentials on your schedule – whether that’s weekdays, evenings or even weekends.

TAKE CLASSES ONLINE OR IN PERSON

Tell us how you’d like to learn. Our part-time programs and courses are available online, in person at campuses across Manitoba or as a combination of both.

QUICKLY REGISTER FOR COURSES

Registering for a part-time program at RRC Polytech is as easy as adding courses to your shopping cart. Our academic advisors will happily help you find the perfect program.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Health care aide in a hospital setting 
  • Health care aide in a long-term care setting 
  • Health care aide in a personal care home 
  • Health care aide in a community setting 
Nurses assisting patient into wheelchair

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Health care aides examining patient in hospital bed
Gain employer-sought skills working in simulated lab environments.
Health care aide talking to patient in hospital bed
Learn to communicate professionally with patients and peers in practical learning labs and real clinical settings.
Health care aide assisting patient in hospital bed
Learn through experience and work with peers and instructors in state-of-the-art facilities.
Health care aides learning to use medical equipment
Develop modern techniques with industry-standard equipment, making you career-ready at graduation.
Health care aide assisting patient in hospital bed
Build your confidence and learn industry best practices in experiential learning labs before applying your skills in a clinical practice course.
People sitting around a table and talking
Experience an atmosphere of collaborative learning and take advantage of small class sizes to build teamwork skills.

Graduate Success

RRC Polytech’s Health Care Aide graduates are respected across Canada and directly sought out by employers. Grads work in various health-care settings, including personal care homes, hospitals and client homes.

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

Health care aides examining patient in hospital bed

95% – NEW GRADS HIRED

RRC Polytech graduates finish their studies feeling confident and career-ready thanks to caring, experienced instructors focused on student success. RRC Polytech also offers excellent learning resources, including skills labs, library services and various student support services.

$35K – AVERAGE NEW GRAD SALARY

The Health Care Aide program is reviewed by employers, industry contacts and experienced instructors every year, ensuring your skills meet current industry needs and stand up to future change.

Health care aide talking to patient in hospital bed
Health care aides assisting patient in wheelchair

99% – RECOMMEND PROGRAM TO OTHERS

Our instructors are registered nurses with experience in various health care settings who regularly update their skills. Their expertise is matched by a positive attitude and excellent teaching skills.

Photo of Tesfamariam

“As a health care aide, I help the residents with their daily living and activities, like cleaning them, bathing them and dressing them. I love it. Helping people, I love to do that.”

Tesfamariam – Health Care Aide
Extendicare

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a Health Care Aide student, you are collaborative, empathetic and adept at connecting with clients and coworkers. Through this career, you’ll work with people of all ages, helping them face physical and emotional challenges. In this role, you must be prepared to work evenings and weekends during clinical practicum and throughout your career.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Community-oriented
  • Empathetic
  • Ethical
  • Level-headed
  • Patient

SKILLS

  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Dependability
  • Positive attitude
  • Work ethic

INTERESTS

  • Health care
  • Caring
  • People
  • Communication
  • Practical skills

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

Woman standing on stairs holding certificate

SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Exterior of RRC Polytech building

DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

Students outside in a courtyard

LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Start Your Registration

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Quickly gain the skills you need to stay ahead of evolving industries and reach potential employers. Register today and take advantage of a flexible, part-time education designed to boost your potential and help you achieve your career goals.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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