As a Health Care Aide (HCA) in Alberta, you are a regulated health professional. This means you are required to have the knowledge, skills, and judgment to provide safe, respectful, and person-centred care. You are expected to follow the legislation, Standards of Practice, and the Code of Ethics for HCAs in Alberta.

The Code of Ethics for HCAs establishes six fundamental principles that govern HCA practice and that HCAs are held accountable for upholding. The principles define best practices for HCAs, communicate the profession’s commitment to client safety, and serve to protect the public.

In this module, you will learn about the Code of Ethics for HCAs in Alberta. You will explore your ethical responsibilities and what is expected of you in your professional practice. You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and learn how to apply the HCA Code of Ethics to situations that you may experience at work.

By the end of this module, the HCA should be able to:

1. State the purpose of the Code of Ethics for HCAs in Alberta.
2. Describe how the code of ethics affects the role and responsibilities of regulated HCAs in Alberta.
3. Explain how the code of ethics supports client safety and professional accountability.
4. Describe how the key principles of the code of ethics guide professional behaviour, decision-making, and professional boundaries.

Reflect on and apply the key principles of the code of ethics to provide safe and ethical care and avoid behaviour that is unprofessional.