Get the Skills to Become a Health Care Assistant

Program Duration

1. High School Graduation or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
2. Meet one of the following English Language Competency requirements:

• • Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time¹ 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.
      **Includes any English Language Arts 10 course or GED indicating completion of the English requirement.
    • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. Applicants must produce transcripts as evidence of completion. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
    • ACCUPLACER Next Generation: Recommended minimum cut scores are as follows: Reading (230), Writing (230), Writeplacer (4)

       

  • Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time¹ instruction in English are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency:
    • Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote. Test in the last year. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
      *Note: A CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 AND “Recommend Class Placement” as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 and Writing.
    • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online). 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.

_¹Applicants must provide a transcript(s) or a BC personal education record as evidence to confirm completion of a minimum of three years of full-time instruction in English. To meet this threshold, the Registry looks to confirm that applicants have studied over a period of three years and completed a minimum of two semesters of studies within each year. In addition, it is expected that the student will be taking full time studies (30 credits per academic year to a minimum of 18 credits per academic year [60% courseload]). In this way, it is typically a minimum of six semesters with total credits between 54 – 90 credits, completed over the three-year timeframe.

In cases where applicants already hold Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) results (testing within the last 2 years), the following minimum scores will be accepted: Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6.

3. Completion of the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP) application form for the purpose of working with children or vulnerable adults.

International Students: A clear police certificate from the country of origin must be provided prior to acceptance given that HCA students provide care to vulnerable clients within the practice education portion of the program.

Upon successful completion of the program, you 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 well-being of clients and families.
• Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
• Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
• Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
• Communicate clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways 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 your own self- development, learning and health enhancement needs.
• Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner.