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.
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.
Graduates of the health care assistant diploma 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:
Health Care Assistants can expect an annual salary from $39,520 to $59,987 in Canada. The hourly wage range of Health Care Assistants is between $19.00 and $28.84 per hour, according to the Canadian Job Bank.
Salaries in British Columbia, Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories generally have a higher range compared to other provinces and territories. Some of the factors that mainly determine Health Care Assistant salaries are your province, work experience, and the type of company that employs you.
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.
Students must meet all the admissions requirements as listed below:
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:
Evidence of one of the following assessments, completed within the last two years:
International Students: International Students must provide a clear police certificate from country of origin as a program entry requirement.
Other Requirements:
Pre-Practice Experience Requirements:
"Graduating from this program as a Mental Health and Addiction Community Support Worker has been a truly impactful experience. The education I received provided me with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in a meaningful and compassionate way.
The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and brought real-world experience into the classroom, which made the learning feel relevant and applicable. I especially valued the focus on trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and building genuine connections with clients.
This program helped me grow not only professionally but personally. I left feeling confident, prepared, and motivated to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me and would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a career in mental health and addiction support
"
"I had a great experience completing my Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program at Edison College. The course was practical, easy to follow, and really helped me feel prepared to work in the field. I would definitely recommend it to others."
"My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career."
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