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Health Care Aides in Alberta
As frontline healthcare workers, Health Care Aides (HCAs) play a major role in providing Albertans with quality, person-centered care. HCAs work collaboratively as part of the healthcare team under the direct or indirect supervision of a regulated healthcare professional. They provide personal care and other essential health services in hospitals, continuing care facilities, group home settings, and other healthcare settings.
Currently, the CLPNA operates the HCA Directory, which serves as a centralized location for HCA information and updates.
Learn More About HCA Regulation
Regulation promotes improved client safety and quality of care.
HCAs are responsible for providing care within the boundaries of their individual competence and education. To understand more about the competencies required as HCAs, there are two main documents HCAs should be familiar with. These documents help direct practice and the provision of safe, quality care.
- The Competency Profile for Alberta HCAs: This document outlines the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attitudes required by HCAs. In Alberta, HCAs learn these competencies by attending an approved Health Care Aide program that follows a provincial curriculum.
- The Continuing Care Health Services Standard (CCHSS): This is the document that outlines the competency status required for HCAs that work in publicly funded facilities in Alberta. Publicly funded facilities include Alberta Health Services and its contracted operators.
On December 9, 2020, the Health Statutes Amendment Act received royal assent. Bill 46 made substantial amendments to the Health Professions Act, including the future regulation of Health Care Aides in Alberta.
As a result of these changes, the CLPNA will become one College with two distinctive professions: Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides. The CLPNA will also undergo a name change to The College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta (CLHA).
This college will be responsible for regulating Health Care Aides as a profession distinct from LPNs. Preparatory work has begun for a transition to regulation that will result in, at least, an additional 30,000 regulated health professionals in Alberta.
Regulation is crucial to the provision of safe care for Albertans, and the CLPNA is committed to regulating in a manner that promotes competent and safe care across the province. The development of HCA regulation and creation of standards of practice, code of ethics, and other related guiding documents is fundamental to the provision of safe, quality care and promotion of positive health outcomes for Albertans.
The Health Care Aide (HCA) Advisory Committee is appointed by the CLPNA’s Council. Its purpose is to engage in understanding of the HCA profession and seek feedback on matters that intersect with HCA regulation and the governance work of the Council.