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Train to Become A Health Care Assistant
Gain hands-on experience supporting patients in residential and community care environments. Build practical skills that prepare you for entry into the growing healthcare sector.
Path to Registration
Graduates are eligible to register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry
Scholarship
Up to $5,000* available for eligible students, until June 30, 2026. Terms apply.
Campus Availability
Burnaby
High Employment Rate
Over 89% of our graduates have found employment within their field.
Program Overview
Health Care Assistant Certificate
Train for a meaningful, in-demand career in healthcare
Build a strong foundation in healthcare through a career-focused program that combines classroom learning with hands-on patient care training. Vancouver Career College’s Health Care Assistant program prepares you to become a front-line caregiver, supporting clients with their physical, emotional, and daily living needs.
This program prepares you for entry-level roles in a variety of healthcare settings, including long-term care, home support, assisted living, and community care environments. Through supervised clinical placements, you’ll gain real-world experience supporting individuals with complex health and cognitive needs as part of a professional care team.
During the program, you may also complete additional industry-recognized certifications, including:
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Standard First Aid with CPR Level C
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WHMIS 2015
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Food Safety for Food Handlers (FOODSAFE™ Level 1 equivalent)
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Student Practice Education Core Orientation
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Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum
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Dementia Care Training Certificate
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Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse Course Certificate
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HCA Practice in BC Modules Certificate
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Recognition
Training that meets industry and regulatory standards
Our programs are designed to meet established industry and provincial requirements, helping ensure your education is respected by employers and aligned with current workforce expectations. This commitment reflects our focus on quality training, accountability, and career-ready outcomes.
This program is recognized by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Program is approved by the Registrar of the Provincial Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)
Program Requirements
Speak With Admissions
Admission & Requirements
Admissions advisors will guide you through each step
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Proof of Grade 10 completion or equivalent, OR mature student status
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Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry – English Competency Requirements (see final page of this program outline)
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Pass the College’s General Math Exam (with a passing score of 50%)
Work Experience Placement Requirements
(Practice Education Experiences)
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First Aid Certification
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CPR Level “C” Certification or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certification
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Foodsafe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
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Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the LearningHub), which must include the following:
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A signed checklist SPECO Checklist.pdf (phsa.ca)
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Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations as per health care organization policies/guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB)
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Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults
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Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
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WHMIS – Provincial Course
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Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
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Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
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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)
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Dementia Care Training Certificate
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Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum In-Person Workshop
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Physician’s Waiver and Vaccine Passport - (forms provided by college)*
Note:
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TB Test is valid for only one year, and evidence of TB clearance must be obtained within six (6) months of the first clinical practice experience.
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Student should reach the age of 19 by the start of the first clinical practice experience.
Practice education partner sites may also have additional training/certification standards that must be met prior to placement.
Making Your Education Accessible
Financing your educational journey shouldn't hold you back. At Vancouver Career College, our dedicated team of Student Financial Planners is available to guide you through available financial option, depending on what you may qualify for.
Potential Funding Options
Government Student Loans: Government of BC-sponsored loan assistance for eligible students.
Student Lines of Credit: Offered through financial institutions, allowing you to borrow as needed.
Grants, Bursaries and Agency Funding: You may qualify through federal or provincial retraining programs, including WorkSafeBC and other government agencies.
Personalized Financial Support: Your Student Financial Planner will help you explore potential funding sources and identify options based on your situation.
Scholarships
We've awarded over $1 million in scholarships to students across all backgrounds. Talk to your campus Student Financial Planner to find out what you may qualify for.
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Successful completion of all courses with a 70% overall average.
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Successful completion of all practice education (concurrent and clinical practice experiences) components.
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Successful completion of all industry-certified courses provided during the program.
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Successful completion of all assignments and tasks required in the Career and Employment Strategies course.
Career Paths for Health Care Assistant
Your health care assistant certificate will open doors across BC's healthcare sector - from home support and assisted living to complex and residential care.
- Home Health Care Worker
- Residential Care Attendant
- Health Care Assistant
- Community Care
Find market-ready opportunities with guidance from Career Services.
What You'll Learn
Graduate With Practical Skills
From palliative and long-term care to personal assistance and mental health - your training covers the full scope of frontline caregiving.
Health Care Assistant - Program Courses
This session welcomes the students to the college, introduces them to their fellow classmates, faculty, and staff, reviews the policies and procedures related to their studies, and prepares the student for their learning experience. This course also introduces students to the Health Care Assistant program by providing an overview of the courses, work experience (practice education) components and requirements, schedule, and expectations of students.
The purpose of this course is to optimize learning through equipping students with effective study techniques. This course provides an introduction to strategies for setting goals, managing time, critical thinking, speaking and writing skills with an emphasis on research skills, and managing stress that results from study or work.
This course provides an overview of the Health Care Assistant Program provincial curriculum values, beliefs, and principles, purpose, learning outcomes along with the foundational concepts of the Health Care Assistant Program. Students will be introduced to the roles and responsibilities of a Health Care Assistant (HCA) in BC. Students will also be introduced to the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry (CACHWR) and competently navigate the Registry website.
The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC) was developed to fill the need for effective, recommended, and provincially recognized violence prevention education for all British Columbia health care workers across a range of public health care settings.
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for practice. Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice as an HCA. The course focuses on concepts of caring and person-centered care; basic human needs and human development; family, culture, and diversity as they relate to health and healing. Students will also be introduced to a problem-solving model that will be critical to their practice.
Why Choose This Program
Why Students Choose Our Health Care Assistant Program
Built for outcomes, not just credentials
From your first class to your final practice experience, the focus is on building hands-on, job-ready skills. Learn from experienced instructors, apply your training in real care environments, and graduate prepared to support clients with confidence as part of a professional healthcare team.
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Fully recognized program by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry
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Eligible to apply for registration upon successful completion
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Supervised practice experience in complex care, home support, assisted living, or group home settings
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Additional industry-recognized certifications included in the program
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Training that prepares you to support clients with complex health, cognitive, and mental health challenges
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Career and employment support available for up to six months post-graduation
Still have questions? Book a campus visit and talk with our Admissions team.
Completing the Health Care Assistant program was a very valuable and rewarding experience for me. The program provided both strong theoretical knowledge and practical training that prepared me well to work in the health care field.
The school’s courses are vivid and engaging, connecting theory with practical application, which makes the material easier to understand and master. The internship opportunities are also very helpful for future employment.
My instructor is smart, kind, compassionate, and very professional.
Being a full-time (health care assistant) in a hospital gave me the opportunity to share the skills my teacher passed on to me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Health Care Assistant Program FAQs
Vancouver Career College is approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. For more information, visit the PTIRU site here.
Our campuses offer a variety of start dates, in some cases, every two weeks. To learn more about our upcoming start dates, please reach out to your campus of choice HERE
Our experienced Student Financial Planners can provide further details on program funding. Refer to the Financial Options webpage for more information.
Programs may be available in a variety of modalities. Please refer to the specific program page to learn more. If you have additional questions about learning online, please click HERE to learn more about admissions.
You can find our tuition listed HERE.
The length of this program is listed in the Program Overview section on this page. Have questions? Click here to connect with an Admissions Advisor.
Start Your Career in Health Care Assistant
For over 30 years, Vancouver Career College has delivered trusted career training. Explore how our programs can support your goals. Connect with an advisor today.
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