Health Care Assistant Diploma Program

Program Description
Admission Requirements
Courses
Career Opportunities

Program Duration

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

Starting Date:

March 17, 2025

Delivery Methods:

In-Class & Online

Campus Location:

Victoria, BC

Starting Date:

March 17, 2025

Delivery Methods:

In-Class & Online

Campus Location:

Victoria, BC

Program Duration:

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

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Program Description

This Health Care Assistant Diploma Program 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. This program has been reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

*Under instructor supervision in a care home

Medical & Dental Office Administrator Diploma

Program Objectives

Health care assistants assist with promoting and maintaining the health, safety, independence, comfort, and well-being of their clients and their families. Health care assistants 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 health care interdisciplinary team in a variety of settings with direction and supervision from regulated health care professionals.

Upon successful completion of this Health Care Assistant Program Victoria BC, 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 individual 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-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
• Provide person-centered 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.

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Edison College's Health Care Assistant Diploma Graduate

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

Career Opportunities

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

Estimated Salary

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