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Health Care Aide, Health Care Assistant, Institutional Aide, Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Psychiatric Aide, Residential Aide
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in assisting hospital staff by carrying messages, reports, requisitions and specimens from one department to another; in providing comfort to patients by answering call signals, making beds and maintaining patients' rooms; in assisting patients with menu selection; and in setting-up and providing leisure activities for patients, and accompanying patients on outside recreational activities
Interest in copying routine procedures to provide basic patient care, supervise patients' exercise routines, transport patients in wheelchairs and stretchers, and supply and empty bed pans; in maintaining inventory of supplies; in reporting or recording fluid intake or output; and in observing or monitoring patients' status and document patient care on charts
Interest in operating medical equipment to take blood pressure, temperature and pulse; in collecting specimens such as urine, faeces and sputum; in administering suppositories, colonic irrigations and enemas; and in performing other procedures as directed by nursing and hospital staff; may perform maintenance tasks such as assist with the set-up and maintenance of traction equipment, clean or sterilize equipment, maintain and repair equipment and assemble, set-up and operate equipment
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Mental health aides work as part of a multidisciplinary team. They help meet the care needs of patients in accordance with the patient care plan. In general, mental health aides:
Some mental health aides may work a standard work week. Others do shift work that includes evenings and weekends.
This work can be stressful. Mental health aides may have to help people deal with crisis situations. They may encounter challenging behaviours, including verbal or physical aggression.
Mental health aides need to possess:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 01, 2022 and Feb 08, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Bathe, dress and groom patients | 92 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Weigh, lift, turn and position patients | 79 |
| Tasks: Serve meal trays and feed patients | 77 |
| Tasks: Accompany patients on outside recreational activities and perform other duties related to patient care and comfort | 75 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 72 |
| Tasks: Make beds and maintain patients' rooms | 70 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : First Aid Certificate | 70 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 68 |
| Tasks: Take patients' blood pressure, temperature and pulse | 67 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 66 |
Mental health aides are health care aides.
Education requirements vary from one employer to another. Many private and public post-secondary schools in Alberta offer short programs for health care aides. Some employers partner with post-secondary schools to offer on-the-job training. This allows people to earn a certificate while they work.
Employers may require health care aides to have completed training in first aid and food safety.
Alberta Health developed a standard curriculum for health care aide training. Post-secondary schools offer this training throughout the province.
Program length and delivery options vary. Some schools offer programs for people already working as health care aides. These schools may have full-time, part-time, distance, in-service, or regional delivery options. Full-time programs range from 15 to 27 weeks. Some employers hire untrained workers and train them as new health care aides on the job.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Mental health aides may work in a variety of settings, including:
Without further education, opportunities for mental health aides to advance are limited.
Mental health aides are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3413: Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3413: Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.5% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 1344 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings vary a lot depending on the employer. They also depend on the employee's responsibilities, experience, and training.
To learn about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Government of Alberta website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.69 | $21.74 | $19.43 | $19.79 |
| Overall | $17.87 | $24.44 | $21.82 | $22.33 |
| Top | $19.73 | $26.26 | $23.94 | $24.95 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $35,483 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $35,283 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $35,266 |
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) website: www.aupe.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.