The Health Care Assistant Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line care-givers and respected members of the healthcare team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in any level of continuing care, including: home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care.
Program Hours: The Health Care Assistant program runs Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with the exception of Clinical/practicum experiences. Students will be advised of their clinical/practicum hours once registered and attending the program.
Start | Length | Credentials | Campus | Part- or Full-time |
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Jan, May, Sep | 28 weeks | Certificate | Broadway | Full-time |
Apply Now
The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a space in the program.
Online | In Person | |
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If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. | Download and complete the (PDF) application/registration form and mail it to VCC Registrar's Office | Visit us at one of our campus locations. |
After you apply, you can check application status to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.
Program Description
Program Description
Upon completion of the Health Care Assistant Program, graduates will be able to:
Instructional Activities, Design and Delivery Mode
The program is divided into three levels. Each level consists of theory, laboratory practice, and/or clinical experience. The theory component is delivered through discussion groups, student presentations, lectures, online activities, demonstrations and guest speakers. Students apply the theory component in the laboratory and clinical settings.
Level one (15 weeks, 21.5 credits) is taught in the classroom, laboratory, and an introductory clinical experience in a complex care facility. This level introduces a basic framework for care-giving practice in the continuing care setting. The concept of caring is the focus.
Level two (4 weeks, 6.0 credits) is taught in the classroom and laboratory. This level provides advanced skills to care for the person with dementia and/or mental illness and lab skills for care-giving in various contexts, including acute care.
Level three (9 weeks, 9.0 credits) is taught in an extensive complex care clinical and a community practicum. This level consolidates application of learning into care-giving practice.
Program Duration
The Health Care Assistant Program is twenty-eight weeks in length.
Evaluation of Student Learning
Theory courses are evaluated by written exams, assignments, and/or completion of a journal. Laboratory and clinical performance is assessed by instructor observations of students in work experience situations. All courses are evaluated consistent with the College Grading System.
Students must achieve at least a C+ in every course in order to proceed to the next level, or to graduate from the program.
Attendance of all classes and laboratory experiences is required in order to truly understand and master the theoretical and practical components behind the Health Care Assistant role. Per the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry students may not miss more than 15% of scheduled classroom, laboratory and/or clinical experiences. Where students exceed this maximum, the College may withdraw the student from the program. Additionally the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry require students to demonstrate 100% attendance of the program’s community practicum experience.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Program options for international students can be found at VCC International.
As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.
Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.
Missing prerequisites? VCC offers courses in Adult Upgrading and English as an Additional Language to help you meet your goals.
All BC Health Care Assistant program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency as set by the BC Care Aide and Home Support Worker Registry. VCC will adhere to the entry requirements set out by the Registry.
Upon Acceptance:
Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis
Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment is not available at this time.
Health Requirements
Updated immunizations strongly recommended: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B vaccine and current influenza vaccination. Please review Important Health Requirements for the VCC School of Health Sciences.
Course Schedule
Courses Schedule
Fees and Other costs
Application Fee | $35 | ||||||
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Tuition Fee | $2,510 | ||||||
Student Union Fee | $155 | ||||||
College Initiative Fee | $72 | ||||||
Student Union Health Plan Fee | $146 | ||||||
Student Union Dental Plan Fee | $146 | ||||||
U-Pass Fee | $41/ month | ||||||
Other Costs |
For book lists and prices, check Bookstore. |
Program FAQ
Info Sessions
Info Sessions
Both the 28-week Health Care Assistant and 40-week Health Care Assistant - ESL full time programs are designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line care-givers and respected members of the healthcare team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in any level of continuing care, including: home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care.
VCC is home to a $55-million state-of-the-art health sciences building located at the Broadway campus. Built in 2009, its classrooms, high-tech training labs, and simulated hospital wards give students realistic, hands-on experience. Sign up now to view the facilities, meet faculty, and learn about our exciting curriculum.
Contact Us/Request Info
Contact Us/Request Info
Before you send us an email, please ensure you have reviewed
As well, if you meet any of the following criteria, please follow the links for more information:
Program Highlights
Program Highlights
Career Prospects
Course Schedule
Courses Schedule
Term 1 |
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(HRCA 1190) Lifestyle and Choices
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1.5 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1191) Interpersonal Communications
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3 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1192) Introduction to Practice
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1.5 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1193) Personal Care and Assistance 1
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3 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1194) Common Health Challenges
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6 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1195) Health and Healing
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4.5 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1196) Clinical 1
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2 credits | course outline |
Term 2 |
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(HRCA 1290) Personal Care and Assistance 2
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3 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1291) Cognitive or Mental Challenges
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3 credits | course outline |
Term 3 |
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(HRCA 1390) Clinical 2
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7 credits | course outline |
(HRCA 1391) Community Practicum
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2 credits | course outline |