Health Care Assistant (Certificate)

Overview

What to expect

What you will learn

• 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.

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

Admission Requirement

Program-specific

• Grade 10 completion, or equivalent.
• English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English and evidence of Grade 10 English with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent as specified by the BC Care Aid and Community Health Worker Registry
  • Evidence of less than three years of full-time instruction in English and evidence of required scores on a standardized English assessment as specified by the BC Care Aid and Community Health Worker Registry
• Completion of the VCC HCA English Competency Declaration form

• 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.

• BC FOODSAFE Certificate Level 1
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification. Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
• TB Screening
  • Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
• Immunization Record
  • A School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
• 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.

Recommended Characteristics

• Program tasks require extended periods (6+ hours) of standing/walking on concrete floors/hard surfaces.
• Program tasks can be physical demanding as they involve assisting clients with mobility, bathing, and dressing.
• Program environment involves contact with latex-containing materials, including gloves, medical supplies, adhesives, and equipment.
• Program environment involves regular exposure to body fluids, strong odors, and situations where clients are partially or fully undressed.
• Program tasks require hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Activities may include instrument handling and technical work requiring steady hand movements (i.e.: cutting fingernails and brushing teeth).
• Travel to different locations in the Lower Mainland is required for clinical and community rotation requirements.

Program Availability

Courses

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

How to Apply

• Note: VCC does not receive your expression of interest

• Note: Your offer of employment comes from your employer, not VCC

• Note: Find out from your employer when applications are open for HCAP 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.

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Contact us

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

Advising services for International students

study@vcc.ca