Apply Online

Health Care Assistant Certificate

Our health care assistant program provides comprehensive online training across Canada, focusing on essential patient care and support skills. Completing this health care assistant course empowers graduates to secure rewarding roles and deliver high-quality compassionate care within the Canadian healthcare system.

Theory and Labs: 20 Weeks / 499 Hours
Practicum: 2 Weeks / 60 Hours
Clinical: 5 Weeks / 210 Hours*

 Program Duration
In-Class & Online
 Asynchronous · self-paced
March 23, 2026
 Next Starting Date
PTIRU Approved Program
Download BrochureBook Appointment

Program Description

This Health Care Assistant certificate helps students develop the core skills needed to care for clients in a variety of care settings. The courses in this program include personal care, assisting with mobility and feeding needs, communication, assisting with medication, and clinical skills related to palliative and acute care. 

Edison College Canada’s Health Care Assistant Program prepares students for diverse opportunities in the health care field.

Graduates of our Health Care Assistant Certificate 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.

The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry reviews health care assistant programs in B.C. to ensure that they are delivering the provincial curriculum, implementing a common set of training standards, and graduating competent front-line health care providers.

Program Highlights

  • ✔
    Person-Centred Care Excellence: Provide compassionate assistance that respects the unique needs and backgrounds of clients.
  • ✔
    Complex Health Support: Master practical skills to assist clients facing physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges.
  • ✔
    Holistic Lifestyle Support: Help clients maintain independence and safety through informed, healthy lifestyle choices.
  • ✔
    Professional Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Learn to work effectively within healthcare teams under regulated nursing supervision.
  • ✔
    Holistic Wellness Promotion: Use problem-solving to support the physical, social, and spiritual well-being of families.

Career Outlook & Salary in Canada

Health care assistants are among the most needed and most valued front-line workers in Canada’s health care system, and the demand for trained, registered HCAs has never been stronger.

Across acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living communities, group homes, and home support settings, B.C.’s aging population and expanding health care infrastructure are driving sustained, province-wide need for compassionate, skilled care aides.

In B.C., WorkBC has designated nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates—the occupational group that includes health care assistants—as a high opportunity occupation.

This program has been reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) and delivers the provincial HCA curriculum, enabling graduates to register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry—the registration required to work in any publicly funded health care setting in B.C.

22,990
 Projected Job Openings
$40K–$60K
 Annual Salary Range
$19.00–$28.84
 Hourly Wage
$49,756
 Average Annual Income

Reference: WorkBC

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the health care assistant certificate are prepared for front-line caregiving roles across the full spectrum of health care settings—and the Registry qualification opens doors in BC. Career opportunities include:

  • ✔
    Care Aide — Complex / Long-Term Care
  • ✔
    Care Aide — Dementia / Memory Care Unit
  • ✔
    Care Aide — Multi-Level Care Facility
  • ✔
    Home Support Worker
  • ✔
    Community Health Worker
  • ✔
    Assisted Living Worker
  • ✔
    Group Home Worker
  • ✔
    Acute Care Aide (Hospital Setting)
  • ✔
    Palliative / Hospice Care Aide
  • ✔
    Mental Health Support Worker (Care Aide)

Where You'll Work

Long-term care and assisted-living facilities, hospitals, group homes, home-support and home-care agencies, hospices, and adult day programs.

View WorkBC Program Info

Tuition & Financial Aid

Program's tuition fees can be found in here.

Enroll today and take advantage of a $1,200 Completion Award, plus a $500 gift card to purchase or upgrade your computer. Flexible financing options and StudentAid BC support are available for eligible students. Speak with an advisor to learn more and explore your options.

Eligible newcomers may also access low-interest loans through Windmill Microlending to help build their future in Canada. Affordable financing is available on loans up to $15,000 for tuition, training, books, fees, and living expenses, with free career coaching included.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet all the admissions requirements as listed below:

  1. Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or mature student status 19 years of age
  2. Proof of grade 10 completion (or equivalent), or mature student status, and
  3. Proof of meeting English Language Competency Requirements:

For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English**, English 10 completion or equivalent (minimum grade of ‘C’).

**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:

  1. Proof of completion of Grade 10 English. Applicants must produce transcripts as evidence of completion. A minimum of a C grade is required.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 6.0 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
  3. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB): Minimum Level 7 (Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6).
  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 country of origin as a program entry requirement.

Other Requirements:

  • Immunizations as per Practice Education Guidelines.
  • Minimum two COVID-19 vaccinations required before two months of the starting date.
  • It is strongly recommended that student immunizations remain current for Hepatitis B., Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Polio, and Diphtheria.
  • 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 note from a physician stating that you are mentally and physically able to perform duties normally associated with your chosen field.
  • International students require a clear Police Certificate from their country of origin.

Pre-Practice Experience Requirements:

  • Completion of Student Practice Education Core Orientation modules.
  • Completion of First Aid and CPR ‘C’ Certification
  • Completion of Food Safe.
  • Completion of Workplace Violence Prevention Modules.
  • Successful completion of all theoretical courses with a minimum 70% grade in each course.
  • Successful demonstration of skills testing in preparation for practice experiences.
  • A clear criminal record check via the CRRP – Criminal Records Review Program – Vulnerable Sector.

Courses You'll Take

Frequently Asked Questions

What Our Students Say

Student Recommendations of Edison College

Latest News

from our team

Read our latest news.

View All Posts

Apply now - Seats are limited

Speak with an admissions advisor or get the full program brochure with tuition, schedules, and funding options.

Request Info Today
Book an appointment
Close