Health care aides assisting patient in hospital bed

Program Explorer

Health Care Aide and Health Unit Clerk (International)

Develop the skills to help to keep our neighbours and communities safe.

Get training in both health care aide and health unit clerk to help others live with dignity and independence.

This program is only available to international students. It is separated into two core parts: Health Care Aide and Health Unit Clerk.

The Health Care Aide term gives you the knowledge and skills you need to become a health care worker, helping people remain independent while they receive care. Under the supervision of a nurse, you’ll assist hospital patients, personal care home residents and home care clients with their daily activities and physical, emotional and social needs.

The Health Unit Clerk term prepares you with the versatile knowledge and skills required to work as part of a health care team, maintaining patient and unit records, managing unit supplies and processing physician, diagnostic and laboratory orders.

Work practicum is an integral part of this program. These practical, real-world experiences give you the opportunity to test skills, practice theoretical knowledge and expand your network.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Certificate
  • Program Delivery
    In-person
  • In-person Location
    Notre Dame Campus
  • Intake
    Winter
  • Program Length
    1 year
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $16,600 – $18,400
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Direct entry
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • International Program
    Open to students from around the globe

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this program, you will develop your health-care knowledge and practical and interpersonal skills while learning the expectations and responsibilities of a health care aide and a health unit clerk.

TERM 1

In this Health Care Aide term, you will build interpersonal communication skills and explore human growth and development, gerontological care and home care.

TERM 2

In this Health Unit Clerk term, you will learn to process various orders and maintain patient records. You will also complete a clinical practicum.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Hospital settings
  • Extended or long-term care setting
  • Personal care home
  • Community setting 
Health care aides assisting patient in 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 assisting patient in hospital bed
Get practical experience working in simulated lab environments.
Health care aide talking to patient in hospital bed
Learn to communicate professionally with patients and peers in experiential learning labs and real clinical settings.
Health care aide student practicing assisting patient in hospital bed
Learn through experience and collaborate with peers and instructors in state-of-the-art facilities.
Health care aides learning how to use medical device
Develop modern techniques with industry-standard equipment, making yourself career-ready at graduation.
Health care aide assisting patient in hospital bed
Build your confidence and learn industry best practices in practical learning labs before applying your skills in a clinical practice course.
Students sitting around table in clinical lab
Experience an atmosphere of collaborative learning and take advantage of small class sizes to build teamwork skills.

Graduate Success

Our graduates are respected across Manitoba and directly sought out by employers. Grads work in various health-care settings, including personal care homes, hospitals and client homes. Through RRC Polytech, they develop the versatile skills and in-depth knowledge needed to succeed, pursue new opportunities and further specialize their expertise.

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 assisting patient in wheelchair

100% – SATISFIED WITH RRC POLYTECH EDUCATION

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.

100% – CONSIDER PROGRAM UP TO DATE

The Health Care Aide and Health Unit Clerk (International) 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 assisting patient in hospital bed
Health care aides assisting patient in hospital lift

100% – CONSIDER INSTRUCTORS KNOWLEDGEABLE

Our instructors are registered nurses with experience in various health care settings. They regularly update their skills and maintain strong links with health-care organizations and industry partners to ensure your education is practical and aligned with industry needs.

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 and Health Unit Clerk (International) 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
  • Ethical
  • Patient
  • Results-oriented
  • Team-oriented

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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