Program Overview
Health Care Assistants (HCAs) are prepared to work in both healthcare facilities and community agencies. In these roles, they are important and valued members of the health care team. They promote and maintain the health, safety, independence, comfort and well-being of individuals and families. HCAs provide personal care assistance and services in a caring manner that recognizes and supports the unique needs, abilities, and backgrounds of clients. They work as members of a health care team in a variety of settings with direction and supervision from other health professionals.
The work done by HCAs is based on a set of fundamental values, beliefs and ethical principles that are consistently reflected in all aspects of their work with clients, families, team members and others. Amongst these core values, beliefs and principles, which serve as foundations of HCA practice, are those related to:
• Human Beings
• Older Adults
• Health and Healing
• Healthcare
• Caring and Caregiving
• The Family in Health and Healing
• Understanding Culture and Diversity
The HCA Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers, and respected members of the healthcare team, in community and facility settings. Under the direction and supervision of a regulated health care professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients.
Other components of the HCA program are Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum, Standard First Aid with CPR-C or Standard First Aid with BLS, Foodsafe, WHMIS and Student Practice Education ‘Core’ Orientation (SPECO). These will be completed during the program and are included in program costs. All of these additional certifications are valued by today’s employers. Students will participate in 8 weeks of clinical and/or practicum training.
A director/instructor interview may be required.
Career Opportunities
- Home Support Agencies
- Assisted Living
- Acute/Complex Care Facility
- Adult Day Care
- Long Term Care
- Special Care Units
- Private Homes
- Self-Employment as HCA
Learning Objectives
The nine program learning outcomes that the students must meet for successful completion of this program are:
1. Provides person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client
2. Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families
3. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges
4. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges
5. Interacts with other members of the healthcare team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals
6. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts
7. Provides personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner
8. Recognizes and responds to own self-development, learning and health-enhancement needs
9. Performs the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner
DEFINITION: PRACTICE EDUCATION
“A work experience (WE) is part of a program in which a student applies and practices skills and knowledge learned in the program in a work-place setting. It is provided by a host organization in a formal agreement with the institution. The work performed by the student must be relevant to the learning objectives of the program. The student must be supervised by a person who is employed or retained by the host organization and who is qualified in a career occupation relevant to the program the student is taking.” (The Private Training Act (PTA) Policy Manual)
To clarify the meaning of ‘work’ not to be implied to be paid employment, ‘practice education’ is used to replace ‘work experience’ on SSC program outlines. e.g. Practice Education Hours and Practice Education Requirements.
The four types of work experience (practice education) include:
- Clinical placement – part of program leading to a career occupation in a health field, with no more than 10 students supervised by one instructor
- Cooperative placement – a student is paid
- Practicum – student is not paid
- Preceptorship – student supervised by one preceptor
DEFINITIONS: DELIVERY METHODS (The Private Training Act (PTA) Policy Manual)
- In-class instruction: 100% hours of coursework instruction delivered in a classroom or other setting, where instructors share the same physical space as students.
- Distance education: 100% hours of coursework instruction, excluding work experience hours, either asynchronous or synchronous (or combination), delivered remotely from a BC location.
- Asynchronous distance delivery: students and instructors do not meet in ‘real time’. There is no live video lecture portion of the program. Students may move through assignments at their own pace, supported by online resources such as recorded lectures, videos, reading material, assignments, and discussion groups.
- Synchronous distance delivery: students attend classes virtually in ‘real time’ with instructors and classmates; e.g. video conferencing.
- Combined delivery: Hours of coursework instruction provided through a combination of in-class and distance delivery.
Methods of Evaluation
Methods of evaluation vary amongst the courses in the program. Please see the individual course outlines on how students are evaluated for each course.
Why Study at Sprott Shaw?
- All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, clinical and practicum fees, and much more
- Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources for the healthcare industry
- Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
- Certificates including Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED, FoodSafe, WHMIS, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
- Access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
- Monthly intake system so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
- Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.
Success Stories
- “The course hours worked well for me as a parent and my instructors were amazing and passionate about providing holistic individualized care and creating a healthy work environment.” – Amy J.
- “I loved every moment of my time with Sprott Shaw! Everyone who works on the campus is just amazing.” – Lindsey S.
- “I have always had a passion for helping others as well as for working in the medical field. The HCA program gave me the opportunity to grow my skills and take on a more hands-on role in helping people.” – Kelsey W.
Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?
Our Health Care, Nursing and Dental graduates can be found working throughout the province. In addition to health authorities across BC, our Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant graduates are working at recognized hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and more.
Our Dental Assistant graduates can be found working at a variety of dental clinics throughout the province such as Family Care Dental Clinic, Heavenly Dental, NOVO Dental Centre, and more. Our Pharmacy Assistants can be found working in Walmart Pharmacies, Rexall Pharmacies, and numerous other independent pharmacies throughout BC.
Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)
* Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
* Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English. Therefore, proficiency in the English language is a requirement for enrollment. This can be demonstrated by evidence of:
A) completion of 3 years of full-time secondary (Grades 8-12) or post-secondary education in English in a country where English is the language of instruction.
Countries where English is the language of instruction: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
B) by achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment at an overall level equivalent. (See English Requirements below)
* Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) test is conducted at a recognized Language Assessment Centre/Location by a certified CLB language assessor (e.g., CLB Placement Test (CLBPT) completed at a Centre for Language Benchmarks (CCLB) Assessment Centre). Self-assessment tests, e.g., CLB-Online Self-Assessment (OSA) cannot be accepted for HCA program entry. Tested in the last year (in person or remote):
Listening 7
Speaking 7
Reading 6
Writing 6
* International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General, or IELTS Academic Online) tested in the last two years:
Overall score 6
Minimum 6 in Speaking and Listening
Minimum 5.5 in Reading and Writing
* Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online) tested in the last two years:
Overall score of 60
No section less than 50
* The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) tested in the last two years:
Overall score of 76
No score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening
No score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing
* Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General) tested in the last two years:
Listening 7
Speaking 7
Reading 6
Writing 6
OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants that completed 3 years of full time secondary (Grades 8-12) or post secondary education in English in a country where English is the language of instruction; must also demonstrate one of the following:
* English 10 completion (or higher) or equivalent with a minimum ‘C’ grade (transcript required). Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8; ESL courses will not be considered
* SSC English for Healthcare (min. grade 76%)
* Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. (Minimum Grade C)
* ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test results: Reading 230, Writing 230, and Writeplacer 4
HEALTH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)
* Physician’s waiver
* Completed SSC Health Declaration form
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
* Submit a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program [Schedule B] including clearance to work with both children and vulnerable adults (Schedule B must be done no more than three months before program start date)
* A clear police certificate from the country of origin is required prior to acceptance into the HCA program for all international applicants, including those currently residing in Canada, as students will work with vulnerable clients. In addition, students must complete a B.C. Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) check to meet practice education requirements.
* Excellent communication skills (composition)
* Provide evidence of up-to-date Immunizations: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Pertussis
* Evidence of full COVID-19 vaccinations
Practice Education Requirements
* Provide evidence of clear TB testing
* Influenza vaccinations (and others), as required by clinical sites
* Adhere to the requirements of the BC Practice Education Guidelines
NOTE ABOUT PRACTICE EDUCATION
The following are pre-requisites to the program or are covered during the program, so it is mandatory that students complete the training components when they are scheduled in the program, as they are required in student files prior to the first practice education experience. All evidence must be current and valid.
* First Aid Certification
* CPR Level “C” Certification or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certification
* Foodsafe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
* Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the LearningHub), which must include the following:
– A signed checklist SPECO Checklist.pdf (phsa.ca)
– Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations as per health care organization policies / guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB)51
– Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
– WHMIS – Provincial Course
* Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
* Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
Certificate Requirements
70% average upon successful completion of all courses.
CPR, First Aid, SPECO, Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum, WHMIS and FoodSafe Level 1 (or an appropriate equivalent as listed on the BCCDC website) will be completed during the program.
Clinical Training for HCA400 and HCA 401 may be conducted as a clinical or practicum placement.
All clinical or practicum placements are conducted in shifts of 7 to 8 hours per day for a total of 270 hours.
Clinical placement sites are subject to availability (may be in various areas).
Students can expect to complete 1 – 4 hours of homework per day
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 29 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.• Computer basics/file management
• Goal setting, note taking, problem solving, team work
• Overview of policies & procedures
• Demonstrate ability to use MS Word and MS PowerPoint
- Concepts of caring and person-centered care
- Basic human needs and human development
- Standard precautions, safety, WHMIS
- Concepts of caring and person-centred care
- Professional communication
- Speaking and writing professionally
- Conflict management
- Family culture and diversity
- Dealing with others
- Building personal strengths
- Holistic components of health and healing (Health Wheel)
- Basic nutrition and FoodSafe
- Home management
- Self-care and health promotion
- Health care system in BC and Canada
- The health care team
- Job readiness
- Application of Professionalism
- Do Bugs Need Drugs
- Workplace culture
- Normal ageing changes
- Common health challenges
- Practical skills used to manage
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Normal ageing changes
- Common health challenges
- Practical skills used to manage common health challenges
- Physical, psychological and behavioural changes
- Promotion of independence and quality of life
- Confusion, delirium and dementia
- Me & U-First Alzheimer Society
- Home Instead eLearning Series
- Standard First Aid with CPR-C or Standard First Aid with BLS
- Intro to the acute care environment
- Role of the HCA in acute care
- Medication Administration Assistance
- Wound care, IV, O2, Assisting with Medications
- Post-operative care, diabetes care
- Vital signs
- Assist with physical examinations
- Communication skills used in caring for the dying and their family
- Understanding hospice and palliative care
- Personal awareness, self-reflection and self-care
- Practical skills to help manage common challenges in end-of-life care
- Food Safe
- Members of the health care team involved in mental health
- Common mental health issues - depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders
- Communication, treatment and preventative strategies
- Abuse awareness
- Promoting client well-being developmental disabilities
- Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC)
- 2-week clinical experience
- 2-week clinical experience
- 2-week clinical experience
- 2-week clinical or practicum experience
