Learn to provide person-centered care and promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients in continuing care environments in British Columbia.
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 program is two years in length and divided into four terms. The maximum time for completion is 5 years.
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
- 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.
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 *
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.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HRCA 1197 | Foundations | 1 |
| HRCA 1161 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 1 | 3 |
| HRCA 1162 | Information Technologies for Health Sciences | 2 |
| HRCA 1191 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| HRCA 1190 | Lifestyle and Choices | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1140 | Common Health Challenges 1 | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1192 | Introduction to Practice | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1163 | Impacts of Colonization on the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous People | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term Two | ||
| HRCA 1261 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 2 | 3 |
| HRCA 1181 | Personal Care & Assistance 1 | 4 |
| HRCA 1183 | Concepts for Practice | 3.5 |
| HRCA 1240 | Common Health Challenges 2 | 4.5 |
| HRCA 1135 | Clinical 1 | 2 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Term Three | ||
| HRCA 2161 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 3 | 3 |
| HRCA 1291 | Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges | 3 |
| HRCA 2140 | Common Health Challenges 3 | 3.0 |
| HRCA 1293 | Personal Care & Assistance 2 | 4 |
| HRCA 2135 | Clinical 2 | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term Four | ||
| HRCA 2261 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 4 | 2 |
| HRCA 2291 | Advanced Communication Skills for Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges | 3 |
| HRCA 2240 | Common Health Challenges 4 | 2 |
| HRCA 2235 | Clinical 3 | 6 |
| HRCA 2265 | Community Practicum | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
* 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.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 45933 | |
| Student union | 283 | |
| College initiative | 195 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 460 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 570 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
| U-PASS | 736 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.
* 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.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
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.
For more information and tips, see Apply page