Health care aide

A day in the job

In a personal care home you help residents get up and dressed, assist at meals, help with toileting and moving safely, and tell the nurse about any change you notice. It is physical work with a lot of contact with residents and families.

Where you could work: Personal care homes, home care, hospitals

How to get there

1. Complete a Health Care Aide certificate program (most take a few months, with a practicum)
2. Check what each employer asks for: most public employers want a recognized certificate

Manitoba schools: Red River College Polytechnic (opens in a new tab), Assiniboine College (opens in a new tab), University College of the North (opens in a new tab)

Before you start work

1. No licence is needed: HCAs are not a regulated profession in Manitoba
2. Employers usually ask for a criminal record check, a vulnerable sector check and CPR

Trained outside Canada?

Health care aide work does not need a Canadian licence, so it is a common first job for newcomers. Employers still ask for a recognized certificate or equivalent training.