Health Care Assistant

Diploma: Certificate

Location: Broadway

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students

Two female healthcare professionals are sitting at a table, one smiling and looking down at paperwork while the other watches with a smile. They are in a bright office setting with stacks of paperwork and folders around them.

In this page

Overview

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.

This program is only open for domestic students(Canadian/Permanent Residents). If you’re interested in as an international students, please visit aaaa.vcc.ca

Tuition	N/A
Credential	Certificate
Length	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.
Hours	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.
Delivery	Class-based and Online
Campus	Broadway
Start Dates	Jan, May, Sep

My time at Vancouver Community College’s Music and Dance Program has been nothing short of transformative. What began as a pursuit of artistic excellence evolved into a journey that not only refined my skills but also shaped me into a more confident and expressive individual.
John Dow, Music & Dance

Job prospectives

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Dental Technologist / Dental Technician
Dental Lab Quality Control Specialist
Dental Materials Sales Representative
Dental Equipment Technician or Specialist
CAD / CAM Designer for Dental Restorations
Dental Laboratory Manager
Dental Technology Instructor

Admission Requirement

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.

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

Program Availability

Not currently available.

Courses

Full-time

Course list is not available at the moment.

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 Costs

Application fee	$36
Tuition	$3,093	Year 1 - $563 Year 2 - $1,085 Year 3 - $1,446
Student union	$217
College initiative	$116
Materials		not including textbooks
Campus resource	$124
Laundry
Uniform (Deposit)
Medical & Dental	$285	Provided by Student Union
U-Pass	$376	Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation	$45
Total	$4,291

Books & Supplies

Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
Additional costs:
- Textbooks – Approx. $500
- Student kits – Approx. $5,100 + tax

Open Educational Resources(OER) at VCC

No-cost textbooks are available for this 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. 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.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Application Process

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.

Contact us

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Program information