Health care
Assistant

Upon successful completion of this program, under the supervision of a nurse, the graduate will show evidence of a beginning ability 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, cognitive, social and spiritual well-being of clients and families.
• Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
• Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
• Interact with other members of the health care 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

Admission Requirements:

Students must meet all of the following minimum HCA Program Entry Requirements for admission:

Evidence of both of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

• Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status

• Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements

  • For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*: English 10 completion or equivalent

  • For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score

*Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized
institution on the list of Approved English Speaking Countries on the English Language Declaration
Form. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.

In addition:

• A health declaration completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies. The declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs/accommodations the student may require (completed by the applicant prior to acceptance).

• All students applying for SABC funding must have graduated high school (or equivalent) and/or be 19 years old at the start of the program.

• Program admission interview with the Program Coordinator.

NOTE:

• HCA students provide care to vulnerable clients in the practice education portion of the program and a clear police certificate from the country of origin is required prior to acceptance into an HCA program (admission requirement). This applies to all international HCA program applicants, including those currently residing in Canada. International students must get a police certificate from their home country, regardless of how long they have been residing in Canada.
• To meet practice education pre-requisites, they are also required to provide an acceptable criminal record check (CRC) from B.C.’s Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). Educational institutions that accept international students must have policies and procedures for international student admissions (including procedures for obtaining a police certificate). The Criminal record check (CRC) from the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) must be the Schedule B Form and include clearance to work with both children and vulnerable adults.

English Language Competency Requirements:

• Applicants with three (3) years of full-time instruction in English* must also provide proof of one of the following:
  • Completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of “C”
  • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions, with a minimum grade of “C”
  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation test results: Reading 230, Writing 230, and WritePlacer 4
• Applicants without three (3) years of full-time instruction in English* are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency (test must be current within the required timeframe):
  • Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) – In person or remote; within the last year. Minimum: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6
  • CELPIP – Within the last two years. Minimum: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6
  • IELTS (Academic, General, or Academic Online) – Within the last two years. Overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking & Listening, and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading & Writing
  • CAEL (in person or online) – Within the last two years. Overall score of 60, with no section less than 50
  • TOEFL iBT (in person or Home Edition) – Within the last two years. Overall score of 76, with no score lower than 20 in Speaking & Listening, and no score lower than 18 in Reading & Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) – Within the last two years.
    • PTE Academic: Overall score of 50, with no score lower than 50 in Speaking & Listening, and no score lower than 45 in Reading & Writing
    • PTE Core: Speaking 68, Listening 60, Reading 51, Writing 60

Please note: In addition to the listed tests, recognized BC HCA Programs have the discretion to admit applicants with one of the following:

• A CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 and Writing 8
• Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) results (test in the last two years) with the following minimum scores: Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6;
• Occupational English Test (OET): computer only (test in the last two years) with no score lower than C/280 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than C/250 in Reading and Writing.

Pre-requisites for HCA Practice Education:

Evidence of completion of the following must be in the student files prior to the first practice education experience. All evidence must be current and valid.

• First Aid Certification

• CPR Level “C” Certification or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certification

• Foodsafe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)

• Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the LearningHub), which must include:

  • A signed checklist (SPECO Checklist.pdf — phsa.ca)

• Proof of meeting current immunizations/vaccinations as per health care organization policies/guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB)

• Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program SCHEDULE B Form, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults and children

• Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules

• WHMIS – Provincial Course

• Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)

• Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)

• Successful completion of all theoretical courses with a minimum 70% grade in each course

• Successful demonstration of skills testing in preparation for practice experiences

Upon successful completion of this program:

Graduates are qualified to work in any of the following health care areas, with the title of Health Care Assistant (registered), or Registered Care Aide:

• Multi-Level/Complex Care
• Acute Care
• Home Support
• Assisted Living
• Group Homes
• Adult Day Care