Edison College's health care programs prepare you for support roles in community services, pharmacies, medical laboratories, recreation therapy and medical and dental offices. The five programs below run 23 to 52 weeks, and you can study in class at our Victoria campus or online. The Medical Laboratory Assistant and Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant programs include an in-person practicum. Compare them below to find the best fit for your schedule and career goals.
| Program | Credential | Length | Delivery | Practicum | Tuition fee Total fees |
Student Support Award Conditions apply* |
What you'll learn | Included certifications | Potential career paths | Occupational wage data Canada, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Support Worker Certificate | Certificate | 25 weeks (600 hours) | In class (Victoria) or online | None | $11,334 | $2,000 | Addictions, mental health essentials, pharmacology essentials, interviewing & assessment, case management, relapse prevention | FoodSafe Level 1, First Aid with CPR Level C, Suicide Prevention | Addictions support worker, community mental health worker, outreach worker, peer support worker | $26.00/hr median Range $19.00–$36.06/hr Addictions worker (NOC 42201) See Job Bank wages for Addictions worker (NOC 42201) (opens in a new tab) |
| Pharmacy Assistant Diploma | Diploma | 52 weeks (1,040 hours) | In class (Victoria) or online | None | $17,207 | $4,000 | Community & hospital pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmacy math, anatomy & physiology, Kroll pharmacy software | — | Community pharmacy assistant, hospital pharmacy assistant, long-term care pharmacy assistant | $20.00/hr median Range $16.00–$26.00/hr Pharmacy assistant (NOC 33103) See Job Bank wages for Pharmacy assistant (NOC 33103) (opens in a new tab) |
| Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate | Certificate | 36 weeks (30 weeks theory + 6 weeks practicum) | Theory in class (Victoria) or online; practicum in person | 6 weeks (120 hours) | $21,449 | $4,500 | Phlebotomy, laboratory safety, hematology, microbiology & clinical chemistry basics, urinalysis, ECGs | — | Medical laboratory assistant, phlebotomy laboratory assistant, specimen processing assistant | $27.00/hr median Range $19.18–$36.11/hr Medical laboratory assistant (NOC 33101) See Job Bank wages for Medical laboratory assistant (NOC 33101) (opens in a new tab) |
| Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant Certificate | Certificate | 23 weeks (20 weeks theory + 3 weeks practicum) | Theory in class (Victoria) or online; practicum in person in Victoria | 3 weeks (90 hours, unpaid) | $10,956 | $2,000 | Person-centred care, dementia care approaches, lifestyle & leisure education, interpersonal communication | FoodSafe Level 1, Standard First Aid with CPR Level C, Provincial Violence Prevention | Recreation aide, activity assistant, long-term care recreation assistant | $23.00/hr median Range $18.00–$29.81/hr Recreation aide – health services (NOC 33109) See Job Bank wages for Recreation aide – health services (NOC 33109) (opens in a new tab) |
| Medical & Dental Office Administrator Certificate | Certificate | 30 weeks (600 hours) | In class (Victoria) or online | None | $10,883 | $2,000 | Medical terminology, medical billing & electronic health records, dental insurance, charting, dental office software | WHMIS and First Aid course | Medical office assistant, ward secretary, dental receptionist, dental office administrator | $25.00/hr median Range $18.92–$32.00/hr Medical administrative assistant (NOC 13112) See Job Bank wages for Medical administrative assistant (NOC 13112) (opens in a new tab) |
*Student Support Award: conditions apply. Speak with an admissions advisor for eligibility details. Total fees include tuition, books and any applicable application, assessment, materials and administrative fees; fees are subject to change. Career paths are examples of roles graduates may pursue; they are not a guarantee of employment. Certificates and diplomas are not a professional licence or registration. Wage figures are Government of Canada Job Bank national hourly wages for each occupation (low–high range and median; Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada; updated November 19, 2025). They reflect all workers in that occupation, not Edison College graduates, and vary by province, employer and experience. They are not a promise of earnings. Program details can change; see each program page for current information.
"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."
"Edison College made it incredibly easy to apply! Chandra walked me through all the steps and was very friendly. The Therapeutic Recreation Assistant program offered a lot of information and prepared me for my practicum and a future I can look forward to and get excited about!"
"I am enjoying the new instructor he's fantastic but the lectures and slides are far to long for me he does his best but I feel this could be improved but the courses are amazing I have learned something new everyday"
"Our new instructor is phenomenal. Complete 360 of the last. I am so pleased. His personality brings smiles throughout the day and the delivery of information is insightful and informative. I find myself looking forward to going to class again. The only thing that I find a bit hard to get used to is being in class right until 1030. As both past instructors would allow us to take the last 2 hours or so to complete projects and watch the films off line. As it is a bit intrusive when watching a film or documentary while still signed in with people speaking up throughout to ask questions. Other than that. I am very happy with this transition."
"Yes. I would be happy to. So far the instructors were very clear and excellent. The lectures were easy, professional and the program is amazing."
All nine health care programs are offered In-Class/Online. Health Care Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant and Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant include practicum or clinical hours; contact admissions to confirm how these are arranged.
16 to 54 weeks, depending on the program. For example: Chairside Dental Assistant 16 weeks (320 hours), Community Support Worker 25 weeks (600 hours), Medical & Dental Office Administrator 30 weeks (600 hours), Pharmacy Assistant 52 weeks (1,040 hours) and Dental Office Administration 54 weeks (1,080 hours).
Health Care Assistant includes a 2-week (60-hour) practicum and a 5-week (210-hour) clinical placement; Health Care Assistant with Co-op adds a 24-week (495-hour) co-op placement. Medical Laboratory Assistant includes a 6-week practicum, and Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant includes a 3-week (90-hour) practicum. Pharmacy Assistant and Dental Office Administration do not include a practicum.
Tuition varies by program. Current domestic tuition and fees, including application fees and course materials, are listed on our Tuition page. Edison College is a StudentAid BC designated institution; eligibility depends on the student and the program, so confirm with StudentAid BC and our admissions team.
Most programs require high school graduation or equivalent, or mature student status (19 or older before the program starts), plus English language proficiency. Health Care Assistant has additional requirements listed on its program page.
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