21 – 37 Weeks
Health Care Assistant Program
Prepare for frontline healthcare roles with hands-on training in personal care, communication, and clinical placements in hospitals or long-term care facilities.
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Become a Certified Healthcare Assistant
Prepare to become a frontline care provider, offering essential support to clients in various healthcare settings.
The Health Care Assistant Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the healthcare team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centered care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients.
- Comprehensive training in personal care and assistance.
- Development of communication and interpersonal skills.
- Practical experience through supervised clinical placements.
Next Intakes
Contact our admissions team today or request information on upcoming program start dates.
Career Opportunities in Health Care
Become an Essential Member of the Healthcare Workforce
$28*
Graduate Employment HOURLY Rate
*Based on Canada Job Bank
The Health Care Assistant program at Western Community College is designed for students aiming to become certified Health Care Assistants (HCAs). HCAs are frontline care providers in a variety of institutional and community settings.
- Health Care Assistant: Provide personal care and support to clients.
- Community Health Worker: Assist clients in their homes with daily activities.
- Residential Care Aide: Support residents in long-term care facilities.
- Home Support Worker: Deliver in-home care services.
- Assisted Living Worker: Assist residents in assisted living settings.
Why Study at Western Community College
Western Community College offers students an inclusive and vibrant learning environment, with dedicated support services to ensure your academic success and personal well-being.
- Installment-based, low tuition fee.
- Choose weekday, weekend, or evening classes to fit your schedule.
- Part-time or full-time class schedule.
- Free CLB preparation classes (*Conditions Apply).
Begin Your Path in HEALTHCARE Career
Admission Requirements
To enroll in the Health Care Assistant Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Proof of Grade 12 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status (19 years or more)
- Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements. These language competency requirements are provided here.
- For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*: English 10 completion or equivalent.
- For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score.
* Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution on the list of Approved English-Speaking Countries. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered. - For international students: A clear police certificate from country of origin must also be
provided by the student as a program entry requirement.HCA students provide care to vulnerable clients in the practice education portion of the program and a clear police certificate from the country of origin is required prior to acceptance into an HCA program (admission requirement). This applies to all international HCA program applicants, including those currently residing in Canada. International students must get a police certificate from their home country, regardless of how long they have been residing in Canada. To meet practice education pre-requisites, they are also required to provide an acceptable criminal record check (CRC) from B.C.’s Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP).
- A health declaration completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies. The declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs of the applicant (completed by the applicant prior to acceptance).
As an International Health Care Assistant (HCA) student at Western Community College, you are required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as part of Program entry requirements. A PCC is an official document issued by your country’s police authority, confirming your criminal record status or the absence of a criminal record.
Steps to Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate:
- Understand the Requirements
- Check with your local authorities or the Canadian embassy in your country to confirm the specific process for obtaining a PCC.
- Review the guidelines on the Government of Canada’s Police Certificates and IRCC Requirements page to ensure compliance with Canadian immigration standards.
- Determine the Issuing Authority
- Each country has designated organizations or government bodies responsible for issuing PCCs. Examples include the police department, Ministry of Justice, or a designated third-party agency. Find your country’s specific instructions using the Government of Canada PCC tool.
- Prepare Required Documents
- Gather the necessary documentation, which may include:
- A completed application form
- Passport copy
- Proof of current or previous address
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Application fee payment receipt (if applicable)
- Gather the necessary documentation, which may include:
- Apply for the PCC
- Submit your application as per the issuing authority’s guidelines. This may involve:
- Applying online or in person.
- Providing biometric data, if required.
- Paying applicable fees.
- Submit your application as per the issuing authority’s guidelines. This may involve:
- Translation and Certification
- If the PCC is issued in a language other than English or French, ensure it is translated into one of these languages by a certified translator. The original document and its certified translation must be submitted together.
- Processing Time
- Processing times vary depending on the country and issuing authority. It’s recommended to apply well in advance to avoid delays.
- Submission to WCC
- Once you receive your PCC, submit a digital or physical copy to the Admissions Office or designated program coordinator at WCC. Ensure the document is valid and meets the program’s specified requirements.
For additional assistance, please reach out to our admissions team or visit the Government of Canada PCC guide.
To be accepted into a recognized BC HCA program, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English. Students must be able to communicate effectively in English to be successful in their studies and capable of providing safe and competent care to patients/clients/residents in the work environment during practice education components.
To ensure consistency and quality assurance, institution-created tests are not acceptable for the assessment of HCA program applicants.
For clarification, three years of full-time instruction in English is defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education in the English language at a recognized institution on the list of Approved English-Speaking Countries. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.
Requirements:
-
Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English must also provide proof of one of the following:
- Completion of Grade 10 English (or higher). A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
- Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
- ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230 and Writeplacer 4
-
Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency.
- Canadian Language Benchmarks test (in person or remote) – Test in the last year. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General) – Test in the last two years. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online) – Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online) – Test in the last two years. Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) – Test in the last two years. Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing.
Notes:
In addition to the tests and test scores listed above, recognized BC HCA Programs also have the discretion to accept HCA program applicants with a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 and Writing 8.
Approved English-Speaking Countries
The following countries are considered as those with English language systems / institutions, where English is a primary and official language, and the language used for education.
| American Samoa | Ghana | Saint Lucia |
| Anguilla | Gibraltar | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Grenada | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Australia | Guam | Seychelles |
| Bahamas | Guyana | Sierra Leone |
| Barbados | Ireland | Singapore |
| Belize | Jamaica | South Africa |
| Bermuda | Kenya | Tanzania |
| Botswana | Lesotho | Trinidad and Tobago |
| British Virgin Islands | Liberia | Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Canada | Malta | Uganda |
| Cayman Islands | Mauritius | United Kingdom |
| Dominica | Montserrat | United States |
| Falkland Islands | New Zealand | United States Virgin Islands |
| Fiji | Nigeria | Zambia |
| Gambia | Saint Helena | Zimbabwe |
- A health declaration completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies. The declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs of the applicant (completed by the applicant prior to acceptance).
Students will need to provide evidence of completion of the following prior to the first practice education experience. All Evidence must be current and valid.
- First Aid Certification
- CPR Level “C” Certification or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certification
- Foodsafe Level 1 (https://www.foodsafe.ca/courses/level-1.html) Certification (or a certificate
course deemed equivalent) (http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/EH/FPS/Food/Food_Handlers_Training_Courses_Equivalent_to_BC_FOODSAFE_Level_1.pdf) - Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the
LearningHub at https://learninghub.phsa.ca/Courses/8538/speco-curriculum), which must include the following: - A signed checklist SPECO Checklist.pdf (phsa.ca) (http://www.phsa.ca/student-practice-education-site/Documents/SPECO%20Checklist.pdf)
- Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations as per health care organization policies /
guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB) - Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work
with vulnerable adults. (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/crime-prevention/criminal-record-check) - Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
(https://learninghub.phsa.ca/Courses/7558/provincial-violence-prevention-for-medium-and-high-risk-departments-8-modules) - WHMIS – Provincial Course (https://learninghub.phsa.ca/Courses/6941)
- Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
(https://learninghub.phsa.ca/Courses/24104/health-care-assistant-practice-in-british-columbia) - Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
(https://learninghub.phsa.ca/Courses/7574/recognizing-and-responding-to-adult-abuse)
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Take the next step toward your future!
Gain the skills you need for success and take the first step toward a rewarding career. Enroll today to learn essential industry knowledge, enhance your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities.
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Total program
hours
210
Practice Experience HOurs
$28
Graduate Employment HOURLY Rate
97%
Graduate Employment Rate
| Course ID | Title of Course/Work Experience Component | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HCA 100 | Concepts of Practice | 70 hours |
| HCA 200 | Introduction to Practice | 30 hours |
| HCA 300 | Interpersonal Communications | 50 hours |
| HCA 400 | Lifestyle and Choices | 30 hours |
| HCA 500 | Common Health Challenges | 115 hours |
| HCA 600 | Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges | 60 hours |
| HCA 700 | Personal Care and Assistance | 120 hours |
| HCA 800 |
Practice Experience in Multi-level and/or Complex Care placement 1.
| 210 hours |
| HCA 900 |
Practice Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living, and/or Group Home Setting
| 60 hours |
|
Additional Courses: WHMIS, First Aid, CPR, SPECO Certificates | 30 hour | |
| Total Hours | 775 hour |
Our Academic Partners
We collaborate with leading Legal profession courses to ensure our curriculum is relevant and up-to-date, providing our students with valuable insights and connections.
Our PartnersFee Structure
Tuition & Financing
We offer competitive tuition rates and flexible financing options to make your education at Western Community College both accessible and affordable.
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
BC Student Loan
In-house Financing
Student Line of Credit
Scholarships
Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.
Finance Options-
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