Uncertified Health Care Aide Bridging Program

Bridging Programs are available for uncertified health care aides (UHCAs) who meet the eligibility criteria. Training is offered on a part-time basis through a combination of online learning, in-person skills labs, and an unpaid clinical practicum. A portion of the learning is through self-study with access to a qualified instructor.

Training programs will be provided at various educational institutions throughout the year. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria now – you can take the training once you have met the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Grade 12 OR Grade 10 if you are a mature student (19 years of age or older and out of high school for a minimum of one year).
• English language competency requirements Level 6 IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or Level 7 CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark).
• Successful completion of:
  • 7-day Health Care Support Worker micro-credential from Assiniboine Community College, Red River College Polytechnic, or University College of the North; or
  • A Health Service Delivery Organization approved course that meets the minimum requirements of the 7-day micro-credential as determined by the Service Delivery Organization.
• Worked as an uncertified Health Care Aide (UHCA) for a minimum of 1200 hours paid work experience in the past 24 months.

Yes. Much of the training is available online. Some programs may have requirements to attend on-line classes at a certain time and skills labs and the clinical practicum will need to be done in person. Your employer will provide you with the required time off to attend skills labs and the clinical practicum.

Approved Bridging Programs will have the following minimal requirements:

192 hours of virtual learning and in-person skills labs (16 hours per week for 12 weeks combined virtual learning and skills labs).

• Combination of virtual learning and in-person skills lab.
• Access to an instructor 7 days per week.
  • Instructor availability hours must be provided to all students at the start of the term.
  • Students must expect to receive a response from the instructor within one business day.

24 hours of in-person unpaid skills labs

• 3 skills labs (one full day every second week) held at the educational institution.

96 hours of self-study (approximately 8 hours per week for 3 months with access to an instructor 7 days per week)

80 hours (2-week) unpaid clinical practicum

• Clinical practicums can be completed at the site where the student is employed, but duties and responsibilities must be different than their UHCA work. Time spent in the training program will be unpaid. (See Appendices A and B which set out the respective job descriptions for a UHCA and HCA).
  

Funding is available for eligible uncertified health care aides to complete an approved bridging program. You may be eligible for the full tuition costs if:

• You enroll in an approved program; and
• You meet the criteria for financial assistance established by Workforce Training and Employment (WTE), a division of Manitoba Economic Development, Investment and Trade (EDIT).

You will be responsible for incidental costs including but not limited to: books and supplies that are not included in the cost of tuition, living expenses, child care, and transportation.

Before your training begins, we will assist you in securing a permanent position as a certified health care aide conditional upon successful completion of the training program.

You will be asked to complete a return of service commitment equivalent to annual full-time hours of employment (2015 hours for most employers).

You will complete your return of service commitment within the Personal Care Home sector in Manitoba. Upon completion of the return of service commitment, you will be able to work as a health care aide in a location including but not limited to a Personal Care Home.

You will only be eligible to obtain assistance in securing a permanent position and financial assistance for those training programs that have been approved. Please see names of educational institutions offering approved programs and links to their website below:

Please read through this information carefully.

You will be asked to provide information that will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria. You will be contacted for any additional information that may be required.

If you have previously received financial assistance for a different program, you may not be eligible for financial assistance.

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Please ensure that you are ready to commit to this opportunity including the time required to successfully complete the training.

Yes. The difference is that with this training opportunity, you will be assisted in obtaining employment and may be eligible for tuition assistance. You will also have the opportunity to work while attending training. In return, you are asked to complete a return of service commitment in a Personal Care Home upon successful completion of the training.

You will have the option of securing a casual position for which you have the required qualifications or you may choose to resign.

• Currently an UHCA with a minimum of 1200 paid hours in the past 2 years.
• Completed an approved 7 day Health Care Support Worker micro-credential course or equivalent.
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• 18 years or older; Grade 12 (or mature student Grade 10).
• English speaking (Level 6 IELTS or Level 7 CLB).

• Complete the UHCA Bridging Program application form.
• Meet with the region’s Human Resource Representative to determine eligibility, financial supports available, approved Bridging Programs and the hiring process.
• You will be assisted in finding a permanent position before training begins which is conditional on completing the Bridging Program.
• You will be hired into a permanent HCA Trainee position, conditional on completion of training.
• Apply to an approved Bridge Program.
• Receive your letter of acceptance to the Bridging Program and provide to the region’s Human Resource Representative & your PCH Manager.

• 192 hours of virtual learning and in-person skills labs (16 hours per week for 12 weeks).
• 24 hours of in-person skills lab (one full day/every second week).
• 96 hours of self- study (approx 8 hours/week for 3 months).
• 80 hours (2 weeks) clinical practicum.
• Training must be completed within 12 months.

• Upon receipt of enrollment in approved Bridging Program, you will receive a letter of support.
• You will need to contact Workforce Training and Employment with proof of registration from the educational institution and your letter of support no later than three weeks before the program starts.
• Funding is available for eligible uncertified health care aides to complete an approved bridging program.
• You are responsible for incidental costs including but not limited to: books and supplies that are not included in the cost of tuition, living expenses, child care, and transportation.
• Send to:  HCABridging@gov.mb.ca and you will be contacted about funding.

• Attend the Bridging Program on a part-time basis, and work as a UHCA in the PCH you have been hired to.
• Receive pay at the UHCA rate of pay for hours worked as a UHCA in the PCH you have been hired at while in the training program.
• Upon successful completion of training program, assume HCA position in the PCH you have been hired to.

Applications to the Uncertified Healthcare Aide Bridging Program will be processed through the Service Delivery Organization (SDO) in which you are employed.