Personal Support Worker - Health Care Assistant Pathway
- Updated on May 5, 2026
Program Description
The Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program is designed to support Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and other regulated healthcare professionals from outside British Columbia in transitioning to the role of a Health Care Assistant (HCA). Through this pathway, students gain the knowledge, resources, and practical experience needed to understand BC healthcare requirements and advance their healthcare careers.
Program Highlights
- Designed for: Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and other regulated healthcare professionals from outside British Columbia.
- Career Pathway: Supports the transition from a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to a Health Care Assistant (HCA) in British Columbia.
- Licensing Guidance: Provides information, resources, and guidance to help students understand BC licensing requirements and the registration process.
- Professional Designation: Assists students who are not currently licensed as a healthcare aide or equivalent in becoming eligible to obtain their professional designation.
- Practical Experience: Students requesting a practicum may complete up to 80 hours (4 weeks) of supervised training in BC healthcare facilities.
- Provincially Recognized Programs: Apex Community College partners with licensed and accredited Canadian institutions to provide access to Health Care Assistant (HCA), Personal Support Worker (PSW), and equivalent healthcare programs.
- Who This Program Is For: Intended for students who have already started the registration process for a Personal Support Worker program and have received their professional designation.
- Important Note: This program is not approved by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
- Fee Information: Fees charged by partnered institutions are separate from the tuition and fees collected by Apex Community College.
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
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway, applicants must meet the following requirements before acceptance.
Academic Requirements
- Proof of Grade 12 completion (or equivalent), or
- Mature student status (19 years of age or older).
English Language Competency Requirements
Applicants must provide proof of meeting the Health Care Assistant (HCA) Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements.
Applicants with 3 Years of Full-Time Instruction in English*
Provide one of the following:
- Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of C.
- College English course determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of C.
- ACCUPLACER Next Generation:
- Reading: 230
- Writing: 230
- WritePlacer: 4
Applicants with Less Than 3 Years of Full-Time Instruction in English*
Provide results from one of the following approved English language proficiency tests:
| Accepted Test | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| CLBPT / CLBPT Remote (taken within the last year) | Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6 |
| CELPIP General / CELPIP Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6 |
| IELTS Academic, IELTS General, or IELTS Academic Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 6.0, minimum 6.0 in Listening & Speaking, 5.5 in Reading & Writing |
| CAEL / CAEL Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 60, with no section below 50 |
| TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 76, minimum 20 in Listening & Speaking, 18 in Reading & Writing |
Three years of full-time instruction in English refers to secondary (Grade 8 onward) and/or post-secondary education completed at a recognized institution in an Approved English-Speaking Country. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not considered.
International Student Requirement
- International applicants must provide a clear police certificate from their country of origin before program admission.
Additional Accepted English Qualifications
The following may also be accepted, where applicable:
- CELBAN (taken within the last 2 years):
- Speaking 7
- Listening 7
- Reading 6
- Writing 6
- LINC Program CLB Report Card indicating:
- Completing: CLB 7 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
- Recommended Class Placement: CLB 8 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
Health Declaration
Applicants must submit a completed Health Declaration confirming that they:
- Understand the role of a Health Care Assistant (HCA).
- Are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies.
- Acknowledge that the declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs before acceptance.
Important: All required documents and supporting evidence must be submitted before acceptance into the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program, students will have developed the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to provide safe, professional, and person-centred care in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates will be prepared to support clients and families while contributing effectively as members of the healthcare team.
- Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes, respects, and responds to the uniqueness, dignity, and individual needs of each client.
- Apply an informed problem-solving approach to deliver care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and their families.
- Support clients experiencing complex health challenges by providing compassionate, safe, and appropriate Health Care Assistant (HCA) services based on individual care needs.
- Provide person-centred support for clients with cognitive and/or mental health challenges while promoting respect, safety, and quality of life.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members by developing positive working relationships and contributing to shared care goals within healthcare environments.
- Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients, families, and healthcare professionals across diverse community and facility care settings.
- Deliver personal care and assistance safely, competently, and efficiently while following professional standards and healthcare practices.
- Recognize and respond to personal learning, self-development, and health enhancement needs to support continuous professional growth as a healthcare provider.
- Demonstrate a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional approach when performing the role of a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and Health Care Assistant (HCA).
Program Skills and Outcomes
Through this HCA pathway program, students develop essential skills in person-centred healthcare, client support, communication, teamwork, professional practice, and safe care delivery, preparing them for successful roles in British Columbia’s healthcare sector.
Additional Information
Method(s) of Evaluation*
Students will be evaluated through a combination of assessments, including:
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
- Classroom Participation
Delivery Method(s)
The program is delivered through the following methods:
In-Class Instruction:
100% of instructional hours are delivered in a classroom or learning environment where instructors and students share the same physical space. Students participate in face-to-face instruction, discussions, and practical learning activities.
Distance Education:
100% of instructional hours, excluding work experience hours (if applicable), are delivered remotely from a B.C. location through online learning platforms.
Online Learning Format (if applicable):
Online instruction is delivered through synchronous learning , where students attend virtual classes in real time with instructors and classmates
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Key Information
- Start Date: Continuous Intakes
- Program Duration: 600 Hours | 20 Weeks
- Homework Hours: 100 Hours
-
Total Program Fees: $9,000 (with practicum), $8,000 (without practicum)
Fees to Apex Community College:
$2,500 Tuition, $1,000 Materials (only for practicum), $500 Textbooks
Fees to Partner Colleges $5,000
- Delivery Method(s): In-class instruction, Hybrid delivery, Distance education
