Acquire the knowledge and skills to provide person-centered care and promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients in continuing care environments.
Health Care Assistant
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.
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
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Health Care Assistant Certificate is 31 weeks in length (full-time). The maximum length of time to complete the program is 3 years from the date that a student initially started the program.
The program consists of theory, laboratory practice and practice education experiences in complex care facilities and community care sites. The theory component is delivered through discussion groups, student presentations, lectures, online activities and demonstrations, and guest speakers. Students apply the theory component in the laboratory and practice education settings.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 10 completion, or equivalent.
- English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
- Evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English and evidence of Grade 10 English with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent as specified by the BC Care Aid and Community Health Worker Registry
- Evidence of less than three years of full-time instruction in English and evidence of required scores on a standardized English assessment as specified by the BC Care Aid and Community Health Worker Registry
- Completion of the VCC HCA English Competency Declaration form
Upon Acceptance
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- 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.
The following documents will be collected by faculty during the first week of the program.
- BC FOODSAFE Certificate Level 1
- Valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification. Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
- TB Screening
- Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
- Immunization Record
- A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
- 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.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Program Considerations
- Program tasks require extended periods (6+ hours) of standing/walking on concrete floors/hard surfaces.
- Program tasks can be physical demanding as they involve assisting clients with mobility, bathing, and dressing.
- Program environment involves contact with latex-containing materials, including gloves, medical supplies, adhesives, and equipment.
- Program environment involves regular exposure to body fluids, strong odors, and situations where clients are partially or fully undressed.
- Program tasks require hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Activities may include instrument handling and technical work requiring steady hand movements (i.e.: cutting fingernails and brushing teeth).
- Travel to different locations in the Lower Mainland is required for clinical and community rotation requirements.
Courses *
The program is offered on a full-time basis for 8 months Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clinical is held Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This program must be completed within 2 years.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HRCA 1197 | Foundations | 1 |
| HRCA 1190 | Lifestyle and Choices | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1191 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| HRCA 1192 | Introduction to Practice | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1181 | Personal Care & Assistance 1 | 4 |
| HRCA 1182 | Common Health Challenges 1 | 3 |
| HRCA 1183 | Concepts for Practice | 3.5 |
| HRCA 1184 | Clinical 1 | 3 |
| HRCA 1291 | Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges | 3 |
| HRCA 1292 | Common Health Challenges 2 | 3 |
| HRCA 1293 | Personal Care & Assistance 2 | 4 |
| HRCA 1294 | Clinical 2 | 6 |
| HRCA 1391 | Community Practicum | 2 |
| Total Credits | 38.5 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 3093 | |
| Student union | 217 | |
| College initiative | 116 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 124 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 285 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 376 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you looking for a funded pathway to becoming a Health Care Assistant?
The Health Care Access Program (HCAP) provides a path for applicants to get hired in the healthcare sector and receive paid training as part of their employment. Through HCAP, the Province will pay for the HCA program and provide a weekly stipend. To participate in the HCAP program:
Step 1: Submit an expression of interest to the HCAP program
- Note: VCC does not receive your expression of interest
Step 2: Receive and accept an offer of employment, and be approved to take your HCAP training at VCC
- Note: Your offer of employment comes from your employer, not VCC
Step 3: Apply to the VCC Health Care Assistant Program on EducationPlanner BC
- Note: Find out from your employer when applications are open for HCAP students
Dual Credit applicants (high school students):
- Dual Credit applicants do not apply to VCC directly. Interested students, teachers and counsellors should contact the Career Program Coordinator or Administrator for their school district.
Get started
Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.