Health Care Assistant

With our aging and growing population, Health Care Assistants are in demand. This 27-week program covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes you require in order to provide personal care to others. With 12 weeks of supervised practical experience, you will have the opportunity to put the theory you have learned into practice and gain the skills you need to for a successful career.

The HCA program is offered in a synchronous format. Theory courses are delivered online. Laboratory and practical courses are delivered face-to-face. Students are required to attend all instructional activities at the scheduled times.

• Online classes will be delivered via the Microsoft TEAMS platform.
• Online course will be delivered online synchronously with classes occurring between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

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Program Structure:

Delivery method:

• Theory will be delivered online synchronously (scheduled classes daily between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
• Online classes will be delivered via the Microsoft TEAMS platform
• Students require a reliable computer and high-speed internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. See Student Computer Recommendations and Requirements.
• Students will be expected to attend all scheduled classes regardless of delivery method.

Labs

• Nursing labs will be scheduled at regional campuses if possible, based upon sufficient student enrolment numbers. Students will be required to travel to Cranbrook campus to attend nursing labs if labs cannot be scheduled at regional campuses.
• Regional students must travel to Cranbrook for f2f labs and other required learning activities. Please note approximately 20 days of travel will be required in the theory semester.

Practicums

• Practicums are f2f. Practicums will be scheduled at regional communities if possible. Students will be required to travel to Cranbrook to attend program practicum if practicum cannot be scheduled in regional communities.

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Graduates can acquire the skills and knowledge to:

• Promote and maintain health in a caring manner.
• Provide care in a manner that recognizes and supports the unique needs, abilities and backgrounds of clients.
• Communicate effectively with clients, families, and other team members.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the health care team.
• Provide care and services that promote and maintain the safety and wellbeing of clients and families.
• Act in an ethical, responsible, and accountable manner.

_{Taken from the HCA Core Competency Profile 2023}

Semester 1 addresses the theoretical foundations for care with practical applications in the lab and/or clinical practice settings. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 70% in all theory courses to continue into Semester 2.

Semester 2 offers supervised clinical placements.

To receive the HCA certificate the student must achieve a minimum of 70% on all theory courses and a pass grade on all clinical evaluations.

Health Care Assistant Certificate Requirements:

Semester 1

Course	Title	Credits
HCA 101	Concepts for Practice	4
HCA 102	Introduction to Practice	3
HCA 103	Interpersonal Communications	3
HCA 104	Lifestyle and Choices	3
HCA 105	Common Health Challenges	4
HCA 106	Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges	4
HCA 107	Personal Care and Assistance	4
Total		25

Semester 2

Course	Title	Credits
HCA 108	Practice Education Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living and/or Group Homes	4
HCA 109	Practice Experience in Multi-Level/Complex Care	6
Total		10

Total Credits Fall and Winter semesters: 35

View official program outline

Semester 1

Semester 2

The entry requirements for the HCA Program are set-out by the BC Care Aide Registry. See: Minimum HCA Program Entry Requirements.

Academic Requirements:

• Earned a minimum grade of C (60%) in at least 1 of the following:
  • CMPS 10 – Composition 10
  • LTST 10 – Literary Studies 10
  • CTWR 10 – Creative Writing 10
  • SPLG 10 – Spoken Language 10
  • EFLS 10 – EFP Literary Studies 10
  • EFWR 10 – EFP Writing 10
  • EFSL 10 – EFP Spoken Language 10
  • ENGL070 – English Intermediate Level
• Earned a minimum grade of C (60%) in at least 1 of the following:
  • WPM 10 – Workplace Mathematics 10
  • FMP 10 – Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10
  • MATH070 – Mathematics Intermediate Level (Algebraic)
  • MATH072 – Mathematics Intermediate Level (Developmental)

English Language Proficiency Requirements

In addition to meeting the academic requirements, applicants must meet the following HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements to be considered fully qualified:

• Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status
• Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirement
  • i. For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English: English 10 completion with a minimum grade of C (60%) or equivalent. Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English must also provide proof of one of the following:
    • Completion of Grade 10 English or higher. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
    • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English or higher by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
    • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230, and Writeplacer 4.
  • For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score. Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English are required to provide proof of a standardized proficiency test from an authorized assessment agency, as outlined in the HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements.

_{*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. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.}

Non-Academic Admission Requirements:

• Core Competency Profile Declaration
• Criminal Record Check (CRC) through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program*
  • 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 the HCA Program. This applies to all international HCA program applicants, including those currently residing in Canada.
• English Competency Self-Declaration
• Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure Agreement
• Computer Literacy Recommended.

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Practicum Requirements:

• Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
• BCCDC Immunizations for BC Health Care Workers
• Annual influenza immunization
• COVID-19 Vaccination
• Negative TB testing results. Must be completed no earlier than 8 months before beginning of the HCA Program
• Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) -available on Learning Hub
• Completion of Health Care Assistant Practice in BC -E Learning Module (Learning Hub)
• Completion of Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse (Learning Hub)

_{*Practicum based learning is an essential component of this program. A criminal record may reduce an applicant’s access to the program and/or to required practicum opportunities. Applicants disclosing a criminal record are guided to explore other options. Depending on the nature of the offence, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student.}

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

Application Fee:	$30.00
Tuition:	$2,436.75
Student Association Fee:	$62.10
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Fees:

Travel within the Program

Practice experiences are essential in the Health Care Assistant program. It may not be possible to arrange practice experiences in the location and at the time preferred by students. Students must arrange their own transportation. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student.

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Computer

In the HCA program, teaching and learning strategies incorporate the use of technology through various platforms such as online learning and communication. Students must have access to a computer in order to engage in this learning.

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Books and Supplies

In addition to tuition and other fees, students can expect to purchase books and supplies. Visit our bookstore for textbook information and costs.

A career as a Health Care Assistant can be very rewarding; you can make a difference in someone’s life. Canada’s aging and growing population ensures this role will remain in-demand. Career opportunities include:

• Home Support Worker, Caregiver / Related Occupations
• Nurse Aide, Orderly / Patient Service Associate *

* High Opportunity Occupation