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Health Care Assistant

Program Details

This Program is offered at the following campus locations:

Dawson Creek, Fort St. John

Description:

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line care-givers, and respected members of the healthcare team, in community and facility settings. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients/residents. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in any level of continuing care, including: home support, adult day care, assisted living, and complex care (including special care units).

Certification: Certificate in Health Care Assistant

Program Contact: Lietha Wards

Dean: Steve Roe

Admission Requirements:

  • The applications for the Health Care Assistant Program will open October 1st each year for admission to the program for the following September. The selection of qualified applicants will be made on a first come first qualified basis until the 18 seats in the Health Care Assistant Program are full.
  • Prospective learners will need to complete a College “Application for Admission” Form. Admission forms can be obtained from the Northern Lights College (NLC) Student Services or downloaded in PDF format from nlc.bc.ca/application.pdf. A one-time application fee is required.
  • Students must have Grade 10 Completion with a minimum C in Grade 10 English or equivalent or successful Completion of Grade 10 level of the Canadian Adult Achievement Test. (CAAT)
  • Upon acceptance students will be required to complete the following:
    • Submission of a medical form completed by a physician indicating that they are of a satisfactory level of physical and emotional health to ensure success in the program.
    • A tuberculosis test within the one month prior to class start indicating the absence of active tuberculosis.
    • Up to date immunizations including: Hep B series; Diptheria/Tetanus; Polio; Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Varicella 
    • A copy of Immunization record must be submitted.
  • BC Food Safe Level I
  • A Current CPR (Basic Life Support) Level C with a Standard First Aid Program (2 Days) 
  • Note: A Criminal Record Check is not a program admission requirement, but students will be required to authorize a Solicitor General's Criminal Record Check (SG/CRC) before participating in any practica involving children or vulnerable adults. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to begin workplace practica with children or vulnerable adults until a SG/CRC has been received and reviewed by NLC.
    Convictions for certain offences may disqualify students from participating in course practica and, therefore, from program completion. Students will be provided with more information about the SG/CRC process at program orientations.
    Criminal Record searches can take from 3 to 6 weeks for completion, so students are urged to attend to this matter 6 weeks before the program start date. Further, students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize an SG/CRC but are still enrolled in the Health Care Assistant program. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
    PDF version of the online CRC Consent Form

    The deadline for completion of all admission criteria is August 1; students will not be guaranteed a program seat after this date.

    Program Length (Weeks): 25

    Program Length (Hours):     745

    Program Intake Start:     September

    Program Intake Finish:     March

    Available Seats:     18

    Application Deadline:     August 1, exclusive of TB Test

    Career Prospects:

    Health Care Assistants in resident care facilities and/or home support - institutional settings and/or assisting in personal care of residents within community/own homes.

    Affiliations:     No

    Additional Requirements and Supplies:
      • Immunizations Recommended
      • Students who do not have influenza immunizations may not be able to complete the clinical learning practice components of the program and MOST clinical learning sites require all workers, including learners, to have up-to-date immunizations.
      • A substantial amount of course and program resource materials are provided solely in electronic form to learners in the Home Care Assistant program. Learners must have access to a computer with internet capabilities in order to review and/or retrieve these resources. A personal laptop is recommended for each learner, operating with Windows 98 or later version and a current web browser. Printing of resource materials is at the discretion of the learner. Please contact your campus library for printing costs if you would be using these facilities. Basic computer literacy skills are strongly recommended. Applicants needing assistance with basic computer skills are asked to please discuss their computer capabilities with the recruiter at the time of application.
      • Students are required to purchase texts for the program.
      • Transportation and meal costs during clinical and practicum experience are the responsibility of the student. Practicum/clinical assignments will be held at various locations which may not be in the student's home community.
      • Appropriate attire and shoes are necessary for practicum experience.
      • Long shifts may be required for some components of the program.

      Keys to success:
      • Completion of Biology/Chemistry 11 & 12 are recommended
      • Open to new ideas
      • Ability to self-evaluate, be self-reflective, and hold oneself accountable
      • Maturity
      • High standard of personal hygiene and grooming
      • Ability to concentrate
      • Consistent attendance
      • Personal integrity and ability to exercise discretionary judgement
      • Physical stamina
      • Timely completion of all homework and readings for all courses/classes
      • Continuously evolving intuitive and creative skills
      • A caring philosophy and ability to work well within a team environment (understand, respect, and appreciate roles within a team)
    Eligibility for Canada Student Loans: Yes
    Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.

    Required Minimum Grade    :
    75% for all courses; except HCAT 126 & HCAT 127 requiring a Pass

    Residency Requirements: 100%

    Additional Information:
    CRC Consent Form 

    CRC Credit Card form
     
    Courses:

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