Program Entry Requirements

Evidence of both of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

1. Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status (19+ mature student + HCA English Competency + all other mandatory program requirements)
2. Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry - English Language Competency Requirements

For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*:

• Evidence of English 10 completion or equivalent

For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*:

• A 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.

Note: Heritage Community College is accepting international students, a clear police certificate from country of origin will be be included as a program entry requirement

HCA Program Entry - English Language Competency Requirements

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.

1. Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English5 must also provide proof of one of the following:
• Completion of Grade 10 English6 (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
2. 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). 7 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.8 Overall score 4 with no score lower than 4 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 3.5 in Reading and Writing.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE). Test in the last two years. PTE Academic - Overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 45 in Reading and Writing. PTE Core - No score lower than 68 in Speaking, 60 in Listening, 51 in Reading and 60 Writing.

Note: In addition to the listed tests, recognized BC HCA Programs have the discretion to admit applicants with one of the following:

1. 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;
2. Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) results (test in the last two years) with the following minimum scores: Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6;
3. Occupational English Test (OET): computer only (test in the last two years) with no score lower than C/280 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than C/250 in Reading and Writing.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, graduates can work as below occupations list:

• Complex Care
• Acute Care
• Home Support
• Assisted Living
• Group Homes
• Adult Day Care

Learning Outcomes

Heritage Community College’s Health Care Assistant program prepares students to be a part of a healthcare team in a variety of different settings, providing a high level of frontline care to clients in need of assistance. This program focuses on developing the core skills needed to care for clients in the healthcare field. Topics include personal care, assisting with mobility and feeding needs, communication, assisting with medication delivery, and clinical skills. This program will be delivered via video-conferencing, supported by Moodle, a learning management system that offers students the opportunity to learn remotely, but within a structured timeframe with live instructor-student interaction.

The Health Care Assistant program will prepare students to work in a variety of health-related work environments. Graduates of our Health Care Assistant program can work in a variety of health care environments such as: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, group homes, assisted living facilities and in the community providing home care.

HCAs assist with promoting and maintaining the health, safety, independence, comfort, and well-being of their clients and their families. HCAs provide personal care assistance and services in a caring manner that recognizes and supports the unique care needs, abilities, and backgrounds of clients and their families. They work as members of a healthcare interdisciplinary team in a variety of settings with direction and supervision from regulated healthcare professionals. This program prepares students to meet these objectives.

The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry reviews and recognizes Health Care Assistant (HCA) programs in B.C. to ensure that they are following the provincial curriculum, implementing a common set of training standards and graduating competent front-line health care providers. Confirming that HCAs meet registration requirements is integral to the Registry’s mandate of patient protection and improved standards of care. Upon successful completion of the Health Care Assistant Program, under the supervision of a nurse, the graduate will show evidence of a beginning ability to:

• Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each client.
• Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual 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 health care 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.

English Requirement

English as a First Language

• Evidence of one of the following: Proof of completion of Grade 10 English
• College courses determined to be equivalent to completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable. Applicants must provide transcripts.
• Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT): Reading Comprehension 35/50, Spelling 23/32
• Language Placement Index (LPI): Sentence Structure, English Usage, and Reading Comprehension total ≥ 20/40. Essay level 4, minimum essay score 24/40
• Accuplacer: Grade 10 level or higher. Cut Scores: Reading Comprehension 60, Sentence Skill 55, Writeplacer 4

English as a Second Language

Either of the following assessments must have been completed within the last 1–2 years:

• TOEFL (IBT only): Overall score 76, no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening, and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing
• IELTS (Academic or General): Overall score 6, minimum 6 in Speaking and Listening, no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing
• CLB PT: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6 — Note: CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted
• CELPIP (Academic or General): Academic: Aggregate score 4L or better (Speaking & Listening 4L, Reading & Writing 3H); General: Speaking & Listening 7, Reading & Writing 6
• CAEL: Overall Score 60, no section less than 50

Attendance Expectations

85% of classes must be attended to achieve competency for this qualification

Graduation Requirement

Heritage Community College’s Health Care Assistant program prepares students to be a part of a healthcare team in a variety of different settings, providing a high level of frontline care to clients in need of assistance. This program focuses on developing the core skills needed to care for clients in the healthcare field. Topics include personal care, assisting with mobility and feeding needs, communication, assisting with medication delivery, and clinical skills. This program will be delivered via video-conferencing, supported by Moodle, a learning management system that offers students the opportunity to learn remotely, but within a structured timeframe with live instructor-student interaction.

The Health Care Assistant program will prepare students to work in a variety of health-related work environments. Graduates of our Health Care Assistant program can work in a variety of health care environments such as: acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, group homes, assisted living facilities and in the community providing home care.

HCAs assist with promoting and maintaining the health, safety, independence, comfort, and well-being of their clients and their families. HCAs provide personal care assistance and services in a caring manner that recognizes and supports the unique care needs, abilities, and backgrounds of clients and their families. They work as members of a healthcare interdisciplinary team in a variety of settings with direction and supervision from regulated healthcare professionals. This program prepares students to meet these objectives.

The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry reviews and recognizes Health Care Assistant (HCA) programs in B.C. to ensure that they are following the provincial curriculum, implementing a common set of training standards and graduating competent front-line health care providers. Confirming that HCAs meet registration requirements is integral to the Registry’s mandate of patient protection and improved standards of care.

Health Care Assistant Fee