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Health Care Assistant

CREDENTIAL: Diploma
START DATES

Learn to provide person-centered care and promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients in continuing care environments in British Columbia.

Tuition: 42880*
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 0 years
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based
Program Flyer: Download /media/vancouver-community-college/content-assets/documents/international/flyer-health-care-assistant-diploma.pdf
Campus: Broadway Broadway
Start Dates: May, Sep
 

What you will learn

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  • Provide person-centered care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client.
  • Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.
  • Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
  • Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
  • Interact with other members of the healthcare team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
  • Communicate clearly, accurately and sensitively with clients and families within a variety of community and facility contexts.
  • Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner.
  • Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs.
  • Perform the care-provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner.

What to expect

The program is divided into four terms. The theory component is delivered through class discussion groups, student presentations, lectures, online activities, demonstrations and guest speakers. Students apply the theory in the laboratory, clinical and practicum settings. Instruction in professional communication skills is provided throughout the program to support success in students' studies and the workplace. 

Admission requirements

Program-specific

English Requirements:

All BC Health Care Assistant program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency as set by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. VCC will adhere to the Registry's entry requirements.

**Note: The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry has approved changes to the English language requirements. The changes are not yet updated on publicly available documents, but the changes are effective immediately. See the Health Care Assistant English language requirements for details.

or

To be Completed During Term 1:

  • Standard First Aid (Red Cross or St. John Ambulance) including current CPR level C or BLS.  
    • CPR certificates expire one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.
  • Criminal Record Check
    • Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate. 
  • TB Screening
    • Within the first term, students must submit a negative TB skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
    • An Immunization Record must be completed
    • Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practicum placements:
      • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
      • Polio
      • Measles, Mumps & Rubella
      • Varicella (Chicken pox)
      • Hepatitis B
      • Influenza (annually)
      • COVID-19
  • N95 Respiratory Mask
    • An N95 respirator mask that is individually fitted by a trained provider, following CSA guidelines.
    • The individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning the program. Mask fitting must be done annually. Students are responsible for the cost of the mask fitting.
    • The original certificate must be presented to the department on the first day of class.
    • Please see Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information

Program-specific

  • High School Graduation
  • 18 years of age or older 
  • Evidence of HCA Program English Language Competency Requirements
    • For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English: English 10 completion or equivalent, as per BC Care Aide Registry. 
    • For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English: Standardized English language proficiency test score, as per BC Care Aide Registry. 
  • Completion of the VCC HCA English Competency Declaration form
  • A police check from the applicant's country of origin.

To be Completed During Term 1:

  • Standard First Aid (Red Cross or St. John Ambulance) including current CPR level C or BLS.  
    • CPR certificates expire one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.
  • Criminal Record Check
    • Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the practice education requirements of the program or graduate. 
  • TB Screening
    • Within the first term, students must submit a negative TB skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
    • An Immunization Record must be completed
    • Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practice education placements:
      • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
      • Polio
      • Measles, Mumps & Rubella
      • Varicella (Chicken pox)
      • Hepatitis B
      • Influenza (annually)
      • COVID-19
  • N95 Respiratory Mask
    • An N95 respirator mask that is individually fitted by a trained provider, following CSA guidelines.
    • The individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning the program. Mask fitting must be done annually. Students are responsible for the cost of the mask fitting.
    • The original certificate must be presented to the department on the first day of class.
    • Please see Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information

General

  • Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
  • International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
  • Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
  • All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements [PDF].   

Recommended Characteristics

  • A genuine concern for the well-being of others.
  • Patience and perseverance.
  • Flexibility, trustworthiness, and dependability.
  • High standard of personal hygiene and grooming.
  • Physical stamina.
  • No sensitivity or allergy to latex.
  • Ability to work in environments where standards of conduct may be different from one’s own.

Courses *

Program general hours

Classes are usually held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Class times are subject to change. 

This program includes off-campus practice education at health care sites primarily located in Burnaby, Vancouver and Richmond. As practice education involves day and evening shifts that can start at 6:30 a.m. or end at 10:00 p.m., students are encouraged to choose accommodations that are close to Skytrain stations to reduce the challenge of relying on early morning or night buses.

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Tuition Deposit

12000 (10000 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee145
Tuition Tuition 42880
Student union256
College initiative189
Materials0 not including textbooks
Campus resource429
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 550
Temporary Medical Insurance 149
U-PASS 708
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.

Apply now

May 2024
(Spring/Summer term)
June 01, 2023
Sep 2024
(Fall term)
October 01, 2023

STATUS INFORMATION

  • Apply Now: Qualified applicants may receive offers of admission if seats are available, or placed on waitlists if seats are full.
  • Closed: Applications are not accepted.
  • For details about application availability based on study permit status and recommendations if the application status is closed, visit the Availability Status page.
ONLINE
Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the application availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.

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