By rdnewsNOW staff

Expanding Opportunities

RDC offers new pathway for ESL students to become health care aides

Jan 15, 2021 | 7:59 AM

Red Deer College’s School of Continuing Education is offering a new academic stream for English as a Second Language (ESL) students to complete the necessary requirements to become a health care aide.

Funding from the provincial government is also available to learners who are accepted into the 52 week ESL to Health Care Aide program.

“The College is very excited to offer this extensive program to our diverse population of learners. We listened to the demand from industry and are extremely pleased to be able to launch this encompassing credentialed program in March,” says Rodney Holt, RDC Dean of School of Continuing Education, in a press release.

“This creative pathway will provide ESL students with the necessary tools to successfully embark on a rewarding career in the health care field, which has been an integral component in keeping Albertans and Canadians safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Holt. “In addition to the host of employment opportunities this course will provide for RDC learners, it is another way for the College to support the health care sector.”

The certificate program is divided into two segments.

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The first 14 weeks entail ESL courses to help learners advance their reading, writing, speaking, and English comprehension skills as they prepare for post-secondary education, and the Canadian workforce. Along with the development of hand-written skills, students will also expand their technology expertise.

The final 36 weeks are devoted to the academic and practical components of RDC’s Health Care Aide Certificate, which follows the most recent Government of Alberta Health Care Aide Curriculum.

Officials say the College’s certificate includes courses on the human body, health care communication and documentation, and person-centred care, in addition to the beneficial hands-on training in labs and in-person clinical placements.

Officials further note that prior to COVID-19, health care aides were in high demand provincially and nationally, with the need for these trained workers becoming even more apparent during the pandemic.

Health Care Aide professionals provide expertise and assistance to the elderly, disabled, acute and chronically ill, many of whom are considered at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

Graduates of the RDC program are expected to be well-equipped to work in several environments, including acute care facilities, hospitals, continuing care facilities, and in clients’ homes.

The program, which begins on Mar. 22, has 16 seats available to ESL learners looking to launch their careers in the health care sector. This specific academic offering is said to be in addition to the already established Health Care Aide Certificate.

Registrations will be accepted until Jan. 26. More information can be found online.