Health care aides are supervised by nurses or other health professionals. They provide basic health services for clients with medical or functional problems. Health care aides provide physical and emotional support so clients can care for themselves as much as possible. This may be within the community, or in a hospital or long-term care placement.
Average Hourly
$22.00
Range Hourly
$10.70 – $25.33
Average Yearly
$42,900
Range Yearly
$20,866 – $49,394
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (3413)
Continuing care assistant
Escort - health services
First aid attendant
Geriatric aide
Geriatric health care attendant
Health care aide
Health care assistant
Hospice worker
Hospital aide
Hospital attendant
Long term care aide
Medical aide
Medical attendant - patient transfer
Medical orderly
Neuropsychiatric aide
Nurse aide
Nursery aide - hospital
Nursing assistant (non-registered)
Nursing attendant
Nursing home attendant
Nursing orderly
Nursing services aide
Operating room aide
Orderly
Patient care aide
Patient care assistant
Patient care associate
Patient service aide
Patient service assistant
Patient service associate
Patient service attendant
Patient service worker
Personal care aide - medical
Personal care attendant - medical
Personal care provider - medical
Personal support aide - medical
Psychiatric aide
Registered care aide
Resident care aide - medical
Resident companion - medical
Respite care aide
Service assistant - medical
Service associate - medical
Service attendant - medical
Special care aide - nursing
Special care facility attendant
Special care worker - medical
Support services assistant - medical
Surgical aide
Unit aide - medical
Unit assistant - medical
Unit support technician - medical
Ward aide - medical
On-the-job training is sufficient. However, often many employers prefer candidates having health care aide certification
First-aid, BLS, ACLS certificate may be required
Average hourly |
Range hourly |
Average yearly |
Range yearly |
$22.00 |
$10.70 - $25.33 |
$42,900 |
$20,866 - $49,394 |
High
Employment outlook is good to fair across provinces. More information is available here.
Without further education further growth in the job is limited.
0-1 years
Having a certificate in Health Care Aide program will facilitate employment:
Following institutions offer Health Care Aide certificate programs:
Excellent communication skills; people’s skills; empathetic; ability to work independently, Patience, Flexibility, Organizational skills and attention to detail; teamwork; self-confidence; leadership skills; adaptability
Helping people to move, bathe, dress and perform other daily tasks can be physically demanding. They may be on their feet for long periods of time. They need good general health, knowledge of body mechanics and awareness of proper lifting techniques.
Working conditions vary greatly. Health care aides may work in institutions or private homes. These settings can be quite nice, or they can be less than ideal. Although many clients are pleasant and co-operative, some are difficult. Dealing with difficult clients can be frustrating and stressful.
Hours of work also vary. Many agencies offer 24-hour service, so shift work (including weekends) is often required.
Getting certificates for first aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), etc. is an asset
Enrolling into a Health care aide certificate program with practicum placement