Health Care Assistant

Students must meet all of the following minimum HCA Program Entry Requirements for admission:

1. Proof of grade 10 completion (or equivalent), or mature student status (19 years of age and older)
2. Proof of meeting English Language Competency Requirements: 
   • For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English**, English 10 completion or equivalent

   **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.**

   And, evidence of one of the following:

3. Proof of completion of Grade 10 English. Applicants must produce transcripts as evidence of completion. A minimum of a C grade is required.
4. 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 required.
5. ACCUPLACER Next Generation: minimum cut scores required for admission are as follows: Reading (230), Writing (230), writeplacer (4)
   • Note: ACCUPLACER can be administered in-person at a designated testing center by a certified proctor OR remotely using an approved ACCUPLACER remote proctoring vendor, or by a certified proctor using a video conferencing software with Remote Live option.
   • Note: Applicants whose first language is English also need to provide evidence that they meet the required threshold of education in a country listed in the HCA Program Entry – English language competency requirements.

b) For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English, a standardized English language proficiency test score:

Evidence of one of the following assessments, completed within the last two years:

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBTor TOEFL iBT Home Edition): test must be within 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
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online): Test in 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
3. Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote: test must be within the last year: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6 – Note: a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted.
   Note: A Remote CLBPT assessment is acceptable when provided by a licensed CLBPT assessment center.
4. 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.
   Note: this is a computer-delivered test that must be completed in-person at a recognized testing center.
5. 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

International Students: International Students must provide a clear police certificate from their country of origin as a program entry requirement.

Pre-Practice Experience Requirements:

• A clear criminal record check via the CRRP – Criminal Records Review Program.
• International Students must provide a clear police certificate from country of origin that must be included as a program entry requirement.
• Immunizations as per Practice Education Guidelines
• Provide proof of a negative reaction to a TB skin test or a chest x-ray with a note from a physician stating that you are not contagious.
• 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)
• It is strongly recommended that student immunizations remain current for Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria.
• Minimum two COVID-19 vaccinations. This is a Provincial Health order that requires students and instructors to be immunized against COVID-19 while practicing in a care setting in B.C.
• Completion of Student Practice Education Core Orientation modules; with a signed SPECO checklist.
• Completion of First Aid certification and CPR Level ‘C’ Certification (Basic Life Support certification is acceptable)
• Completion of Food Safe Level 1
• Completion of Workplace Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
• Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules
• Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course
• Successful completion of all theoretical courses with a minimum 70% grade in each course
• Successful demonstration of skills testing in preparation for practice experiences

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