Cert in Niitsitapi Health Care Aide Program is a certificate in Health Sciences programme taught at Red Crow Community College in Cardston, Canada. The programme runs for 1 year, delivered on campus.
At a glance
Degree:Certificate
Field:Health Sciences
Duration: 1 year
Delivery: On Campus
We have no tuition fees on record for this programme yet — see the official programme page.
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Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Niitsitapi Health Care Aide Program is a one-year certificate delivered at the college's main campus, preparing students to support patients with daily living activities and basic health services as part of a care team. The program combines six theory-based courses and an orientation block course with three clinical placements totalling 320 hours, following a work-integrated learning model in which classroom study is paired with practice in real care settings. Coursework follows Alberta's government-approved Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum, covering common health conditions, person-centred care, communication, documentation, and the needs of clients with complex care requirements. Blackfoot language and cultural traditions are integrated throughout. Admission requires a minimum grade in high school English, current immunization records, a police check, digital literacy, and a short essay on the applicant's motivation for pursuing health care work; applicants with substantial prior health care aide experience may qualify for Prior Learning Assessment. The program suits learners seeking entry-level health care employment through a culturally grounded, practicum-heavy course of study.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: This programme does not require a high school diploma. English Language Arts proficiency is demonstrated through English 20-1 or 20-2 at a minimum of 60%, English 30-1 or 30-2 at a minimum of 55%, or a Canadian-jurisdiction equivalent; applicants who do not meet this threshold must instead pass the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER assessment with a minimum score of 237 in both reading and writing (mathematics not required). No separate IELTS/TOEFL-style language test is published. Candidates must show basic digital literacy (email, web research, evaluating online information), hold a current immunisation record, and pass a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check. A 500-word essay describing the applicant's purpose and passion for entering the health-care field is required with the application. Applicants with 600 or more hours of prior HCA or personal-care experience within the last three years may instead qualify through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
Application Details
Application Deadline:Red Crow Community College's admissions page states applications are assessed on "a first-qualified, first-accepted basis" processed by the date transcripts and other requirements are received, with no fixed opening or closing date published for domestic applicants and no separate international timeline stated. The college separately publishes band-funding deadlines tied to the Fall (September-January, funding deadline June 15) and Winter (January-June, funding deadline November 30) semesters, but these govern sponsorship funding rather than the admissions decision. Admission itself is rolling for both domestic and international applicants, with no equal-consideration or firm date published. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
