Photo Credit: Grande Prairie Regional College

By Shane Clausing

Health Care Programs

GPRC to launch two new health care programs

Mar 14, 2021 | 10:24 AM

Grande Prairie Regional College will be adding two new health care programs to its course calendar, as the Ministry for Advanced Education has approved the inclusion of a Health Care Aide certificate program beginning in Fall 2021, along with a Practical Nurse diploma program that will commence Winter 2022.

The Health Care Aide program is an eight-month program, while the Practical Nurse diploma is a two-year course. Both courses will be able to offer lessons to a maximum of 32 students.

Graduates of the Health Care Aide program will eventually be qualified to provide basic health services and support for patients with health care needs in a variety of settings.

Those who graduate with the Practical Nurse diploma will obtain the necessary training and skills to be licensed with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. Upon graduation, they will be eligible to provide care to individuals in acute care hospitals, continuing care centres, as well as community and primary health facilities.

GPRC President, Dr. Robert Murray says this announcement will have a positive impact on the community.

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“In addition to equipping students with necessary core competencies, these two programs will enhance the post-secondary journey with unparalleled work-integrated learning opportunities at the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital and the Evaskevich Centre for Health Research and Innovation.”

According to GPRC, in 2019 the provincial curriculum for health care aides was updated and post-secondary institutions were encouraged to express interest in becoming training providers.

“There are clear benefits to building health care knowledge, skills and capacity within our region,” said Dr. Carly McLeod, Interim Dean, Health, Wellness and Career Studies. “Not only does this decision set the stage for better local outcomes, these programs will add even more depth to GPRC’s growing portfolio of important health care professions, which currently focuses on unit clerk certification and nursing career options.”

Those wanting to learn more about the programs can do so at GPRC’s website.