Health Care Aide
Do you have a passion for supporting others? A desire to make a difference in your community? Consider training to be a health care aide.
In just 20 weeks, you could be building connections and supporting care for those in need.
Health care aides have an important role in the day-to-day care and comfort of patients, residents and clients across acute, long term care, home care, not-for-profit and government agency settings.
They work as part of an interprofessional team to deliver care to seniors and individuals with medical conditions, post-surgery or with developmental disabilities.
Health care aide positions are available in sites across the province. Specific duties might vary but will include daily essential care including assistance with bathing, dressing, transferring/ movement and assistance with feeding. You may also help clients with therapeutic procedures like exercise, simple wound care, administration of respiratory equipment, as well as medication assistance and reminders. Another responsibility is monitoring behavior changes and ensuring client safety.
Through educational and on-the-job training, health care aides will have the skills to perform the following duties:
- Answer call signals
- Supply and empty bed pans; bathe, dress and groom patients; serve meal trays
- Feed or assist in feeding of patients and assist patients with menu selection
- Lift, turn or massage patients; shave patients prior to operations
- Supervise patients’ exercise, set-up and provide leisure activities for patients
- Accompany patients on outside recreational activities; and perform other duties related to patient care;
- Take patients’ blood pressure, temperature and pulse; report or record fluid intake and output
- Observe or monitor patients’ status and document patient care on charts; collect specimens such as urine, feces or sputum; administer suppositories, colonic irrigations and enemas
- Perform other procedures as directed by nursing and hospital staff;
- Transport patients in wheelchair or stretcher for treatment or surgery;
- Carry messages, reports, requisitions and specimens from one department to another;
- Make beds and maintain patients’ rooms ;
- Maintain inventory of supplies;
- May perform maintenance tasks such as assist with the set-up and maintenance of traction equipment, clean or sterilize equipment, maintain and repair equipment, assemble, setup and operate job-related equipment
For more information about health care aide job descriptions, visit Health Care Career Planning.
My favourite part of working in home care are the residents and being a part of their lives. I know they really appreciate what we do for them. I take care of them the same way I want to be treated when I’m older.
My life has improved so much since moving to Canada. There’s so much opportunity here. To those considering the move to Manitoba, it will feel like starting over – but it’s worth it.
Myrna Fortit
In this role, it’s so much more than simply providing the essential daily care to residents. You get to know to them, listen to their stories and build a relationship. I think that’s what makes this job so special and I feel the most job satisfaction that you may not find in other roles.
We have a great life here. There are a lot of benefits and security in this profession and in health care. My wife became a nurse here and together we have built a good life for our family. that we have had the privilege of raising our kids in a safe environment with lots of opportunities. I love how much space there is in Manitoba for gardening and all of the fresh air – it’s good both mentally and physically.
Joy Chacko
I’ve been a health-care aide for the past 24 years and would not change a thing. From the smiles on patient’s faces to the hugs I’ve received, it has always made me feel grateful for having the opportunity to work in such a fulfilling field.
Amber Chrisp
It’s the patients, that relationship with them. Knowing that I helped encourage somebody, anybody, to push through and find their strength in a time where it’s near impossible to, because it’s easier to stay in the dark than it is to see the light.
Dagan Aymont
Careers
There are currently many health care aide positions available at facilities across Manitoba in a variety of settings, including acute, community and long-term care. Our province supports safe and respectful workplaces and promotes effective collaboration amongst all health care providers in a variety of settings, urban, rural and remote.
Discover Health Care Aide opportunities in Manitoba…
- Interlake- Eastern Health Authority
- Northern Health Region
- Southern Health – Sante Sud
- Prairie Mountain Health
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority