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Personal Support Worker - Health Care Assistant Pathway

Program Description

This program is designed to assist Personal Support Workers and other regulated healthcare professionals from outside of British Columbia to review the licensing requirements, receive an opportunity to learn via practical experience in BC healthcare facilities, and to transition into the role of an HCA successfully. Students who are not currently licensed as a healthcare aid or equivalent will be provided with the information, resources, and the processes by which they will be eligible to receive their professional designations. 

This program is designed to assist students who are already in the process of the registration of the Personal Support Worker program and have received their professional. This program IS NOT approved by the BC Care Aid & Community Health Worker Registry

Career Occupation (if applicable)

Personal Support Worker (Ontario), Health Care Assistant (British Columbia) * this program is designed to assist students who are already in the process of the registration of the Personal Support Worker program and have received their professional certifications

Evidence of both of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

  1. Proof of Grade 12 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status (19 years or more)
  2. Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements. These language competency requirements are provided at www.cachwr.bc.ca website
    • For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*: English 10 completion or equivalent
    • For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score:
      * 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.
    • For international students: A clear police certificate from country of origin must also be provided by the student as a program entry requirement.
      English Language Competency Requirements:
      • Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English must also provide proof of one of the following:
        a) Completion of Grade 10 English (or higher). A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
        b) Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
        c) ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230 and Writeplacer 4
      • Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English are required to provide proof of one of the following standardized proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency.
        a) Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote. Test in the last year. Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6.
        b) 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.
        c) International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
        d) 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.
        e) The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition). Test in 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.
        Notes:
        In cases where applicants already hold Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for nurses (CELBAN) results. Test in the last 2 years. Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 6, Writing 6.
        In addition to the tests and test scores listed above (#2), recognized BC HCA Programs also have the discretion to accept HCA program applicants with a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 8, Listening 8, Reading 8 and Writing.
  3. A health declaration completed by the applicant confirming they understand the role of the HCA and are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies. The declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs of the applicant (completed by the applicant prior to acceptance).

Upon completion of this program the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Provide person-centered 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, social, cognitive and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.
  • Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
  • Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
  • Interact with other members of the healthcare team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
  • Communicate clearly, accurately and sensitively with clients and families within a variety of community and facility contexts.
  • Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner.
  • Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs.
  • Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner
Method(s) of Evaluation*

Quizzes, Assignments, Midterms, Final Exams, Case Studies.

Completion Requirements*

Students must pass the practicum and attain a minimum grade of 70% in each of the other courses in the program.

Delivery Method(s)

Indicate how the program is delivered:

In-class instruction: 100% hours of instruction delivered in a classroom or other setting, where instructors share the same physical space as students.

Distance education: 100% hours of instruction, excluding work experience hours, if applicable, delivered remotely from a BC location.

If distance or combined delivery is indicated, the online components are:

 Synchronous: Meaning students attend classes virtually in ‘real time’ with instructors and classmates.

Required course materials
Key Information