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
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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 Program is 31 weeks in length (full-time) and 47 weeks in length (part-time). The maximum length of time to complete the Health Care Assistant program is 2 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.
- 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
- 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.
- BC FOODSAFE Certificate Level 1
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.
- TB Screening
- Within six months of the start of the program, students must submit a negative TB skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations
- 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.
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.
Recommended Characteristics
- Ability to work under direction and to act with initiative as a member of the health care team
- A genuine concern for the well-being of others
- Patience and perseverance
- Flexibility, trustworthiness, and dependability
- Maturity
- Ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English
- High standard of personal hygiene and grooming
- Ability to use problem-solving approach
- Physical stamina
- No sensitivity or allergy to latex
- Ability to work in environments where standards may be different from one’s own
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.
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 *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 2915 | |
| Student union | 192 | |
| College initiative | 110 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 117 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 275 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 354 | |
| 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 $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.