Program

Health Care Assisting (Certificate)

Domestic applications

Fall 2026: Applications closed.

Winter 2027: Applications closed.

Summer 2027:

Options to begin your studies in Health Care Assisting for Fall and Winter may still be available via the .

 

International applications

International Students are not eligible for this program. Please see here for programs that International students can apply for: International student programs.

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Credits
35.00
Length of program
Two semesters
Credential type
Certificate
Campus
Coquitlam
Learning format
Full-time
Admission type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Summer
Fall
Winter

Overview

Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to provide holistic care to people with diverse health needs with the Certificate in Health Care Assisting. You鈥檒l learn how to assist people with grooming, support them in taking part in social and recreational activities, and help them maintain mobility. The general focus of this program is caring for clients with physical care needs and/or dementia. You'll also get multiple supervised practice experiences in health-care settings.

Become certified in health care

After you receive your credential, you can register with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry, which makes you eligible to work at publicly funded health-care settings across the province.

Job opportunities

Surveys show that 96 percent of our Health Care Assisting graduates are working in the field after graduation. (Source: ).

NOTE: International students are not currently eligible for this program. For more information, contact 51情报站 International.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

Academic Admission Requirements:

  • Evidence of meeting the HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements

 

HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements:

Applicants who provide evidence of three (3) years of full-time instruction in English* must also provide proof of one (1) of the following: Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English* are required to provide proof of one (1) of the following standard proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency:
  • English 11 with a minimum grade of a "C" or approved equivalent
  • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 11 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of C grade is acceptable
  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Tests Results: Reading 254, Writing 240 and Writeplacer 4
  • Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote. Test in the last year. Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online). Test in the last two years. Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with no level lower than 6, Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6, Writing 6
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online). Test in the last two years. Overall Score of 60 with no level 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 80 with no score lower than 22 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 20 in Reading and Writing

     

*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 (see below). Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.

Countries with English language systems/ institutions where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education

American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica

Falkland Islands
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia

Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
New Zealand
Nigeria
Saint Helena
Saint Lucia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore

South Africa
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caico Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 

Non-Academic Admission Requirements

  • Be 19 years of age by December 31st of the year you enter the program.
  • A Criminal Record Check (CRC) from the Criminal Records Review Program including clearance to work with vulnerable adults. Details will be provided at the time the applicant is offered admission to the program. All costs related to the CRC are the responsibility of the applicant.
  • Admission Interview: Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with the Program Coordinator for the purposes of providing additional information and/or academic advising.

 

Prerequisites for Practice Education

  • Immunization: A current record of immunizations must be provided. Applicants must obtain all immunizations mandated by the Health Authorities or Public Health orders to be permitted access to clinical sites. This is a prerequisite for clinical and practicum courses in the HCA Program. All costs related to required immunizations and/or testing are the responsibility of the applicant.
  • FoodSafe Level 1 Certificate or equivalent.

  • First Aid Certification.

  • CPR Level 鈥淐鈥 Certificate or 鈥淏asic Life Support (BLS)鈥 Certificate.

  • Completion of Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO).

  • LearningHub modules.

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at 51情报站 with the tuition and fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of 35.00 credits
  • A minimum of 50% (17.5 credits) of all coursework must be completed at 51情报站.
  • Minimum grades are required, as follows:
    • C+ in all MHPS credit courses or equivalents
    • Mastery in all clinical practice and preceptorship courses
  • In good academic standing
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Course Requirements:

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Semester 1

MHPS 1110

Concepts for Practice

3.00

MHPS 1120

Lifestyle and Introduction to Practice

3.00

MHPS 1130

Interpersonal Communications

3.00

MHPS 1140

Common Health Challenges I

3.00

MHPS 1150 (see note)

Personal Care & Assistance I

4.50

MHPS 1160 (see note) 

Applied Practice Experience I

2.00

Semester 2

MHPS 1170

Common Health Challenges II

3.00

MHPS 1180

Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges

3.00

MHPS 1190 (see note)

Personal Care & Assistance II

3.00

MHPS 1200 (see note)

Applied Practice Experience II

3.75

MHPS 1300 (see note)

Applied Practice Experience III

3.75

Total Credits

35.00

Note:

To meet the HCA Program Recognition Guide safe practice policy (BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry): if more than 3 months pass between finishing lab skills courses MHPS 1150 and 1190 (Personal Care & Assistance I and II) and starting practice education courses MHPS 1160, 1200, and/or 1300 (Applied Practice Experience I, II, and/or III), students must contact the department to retake coursework and/or be re-tested on their lab skills, even if they already successfully completed MHPS 1150 and 1190.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

FAQs

English Proficiency Requirements

For entry English 10 with a C (or equivalent) to meet the program admission requirements for entry to the HCA program.

More Information

Personal traits that help a student succeed in this program include:

  • Sensitivity to the needs of others
  • Ability to problem-solve effectively in a limited time span
  • Ability to manage time effectively and handle responsibility
  • Ability to perform basic home management and cooking skills
  • Ability to speak confidently with people of all ages
  • Ability to develop self-awareness
  • Ability to be self-directed in their own learning
  • Ability to be flexible 

Special academic requirements

These requirements apply to all program options. See individual program options for additional program requirements.

  • Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certificate is required prior to first clinical placement.

Health Region On-line Orientation (Student Practice Education Core Orientation) completion is required prior to first clinical placement. Information will be provided during program orientation.

NOTE: A driver鈥檚 license allowing unaccompanied vehicle operation and access to a vehicle are strongly recommended to ensure the required one-week clinical placement in Home Support.

Career Pathways

Health care assistants work in homes, care facilities, assisted living facilities and a variety of settings.

Career opportunities include:

  • Activity Aide/Recreation Therapy Aide
  • Attendant for Persons with Disability
  • Family Caregiver
  • Health Care Assistant/Aide
  • Home Support Worker
  • Housekeeping Aide
  • Nurses Aides/Orderlies, Patient Service Associate
  • Patient Care Aide
  • Personal Home Care Aide
  • Senior Care Assistant