Health Care Assistant (Diploma)
Overview
| Tuition | $47,789 |
|---|---|
| Credential | Diploma |
| Length | 2 years |
| Hours | Full-time |
| Delivery | Class-based |
| Campus | Broadway |
| Start Dates | |
| PGWP | International graduates may be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit. |
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
The program is two years in length and divided into four terms. The maximum time for completion is 5 years. Program completion deadlines are necessary to ensure the currency of student skills and in alignment with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Workers Registry recognition requirements.
Admission Requirement
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- Minimum 18 years of age
- 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 Health Care Assistant Program English Competency Declaration form
- A police check from the applicant’s country of origin, issued within 12 months before the program start date
To be Completed During Term 1:
- Valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification
- Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
- BC FOODSAFE Certificate Level 1
- 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
- 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.
- Please see Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information
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
- 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
Not currently available.
Courses
International students
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.
| 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 1183 | Concepts for Practice | 3.5 |
| HRCA 1190 | Lifestyle and Choices | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1110 | Common Health Challenges 1: Anatomy and Physiology | 1.5 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| HRCA 1261 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 2 | 3 |
| HRCA 1192 | Introduction to Practice | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1163 | Impacts of Colonization on the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous People | 1.5 |
| HRCA 1210 | Common Health Challenges 2: Pathophysiology | 4 |
| HRCA 1181 | Personal Care & Assistance 1 | 4 |
| HRCA 1220 | Clinical 1: Intermediate Care | 2 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term Three | ||
| HRCA 2161 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 3 | 3 |
| HRCA 1291 | Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges | 3 |
| HRCA 2110 | Common Health Challenges 3: Older Adults | 3 |
| HRCA 1293 | Personal Care & Assistance 2 | 4 |
| HRCA 2120 | Clinical 2: Dementia Care | 3.5 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Term Four | ||
| HRCA 2261 | Communications for Health Care Assistants 4 | 2 |
| HRCA 2291 | Advanced Communication Skills for Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges | 3 |
| HRCA 2210 | Common Health Challenges 4: Specialized Areas | 2 |
| HRCA 2220 | Clinical 3: Extended Care | 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.
Fees and Costs
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.
| Tuition deposit | $13,000 | $10,000 non-refundable |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $145 | |
| Tuition | $47,789 | |
| Student union | $290 | |
| College initiative | $203 | |
| Medical & Dental | $570 | Provided by Student Union |
| Temporary medical insurance | $149 | |
| U-Pass | $751 | Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more. |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Other fees | $2,629 | |
| Total | $50,417 |
Books & Supplies
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
* 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.
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Technical requirement
How to Apply
Ready to apply?
Online
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.
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
Do you have any questions?