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Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated

The Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated Program is designed for students whose first language is not English.

A Health Care Assistant (HCA) 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. HCA’s 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

This program provides the student with additional language support by front-loading foundational and functional English language at the beginning of the program and will continue to support academic success throughout the program.

The Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated 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 health care professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients. The ESL support will be provided by a qualified ESL instructor who will work closely with the HCA instructional team to promote student learning.

Other components of the HCA Program are Basic and Advanced Hospice Palliative Care Training, Crisis Prevention Training, Introduction to RAI Observation Tool Training, Acute Care Skills, Medication Administration Assistance, Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED, 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.

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. Uses an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and/or spiritual well-being of clients and families
  3. Provides care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges
  4. Provides 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. Communicates clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways with clients and families within 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/ethical manner

BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry

The BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry reviews and recognizes Health Care Assistant programs in BC to ensure that they are: following the provincial curriculum, implementing a common set of training standards, and graduating competent front-line health care providers. Confirming that health care assistants meet registration requirements is integral to the Registry’s mandate of patient protection and improved standards of care.

Graduates of the HCA program delivered by Sprott Shaw College are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry to demonstrate their competence and credentials to work for publicly funded employers in BC.

Related Programs:

Diploma Program

Total Program Hours:
1090 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
34 Weeks
(Includes holidays and professional days)
Program content is subject to change.

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Career Opportunities

Acute/Complex Care Facility
Adult Day Care
Assisted Living
Home Support Agencies
Long Term Care
Private Homes
Self Employment
Special Care Units
Admission Requirements:

Prior to Acceptance:

  • Grade 12 / GED or mature student status (all transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals)
  • Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview
Language Competency Requirements for students whose first language is not English:
  • Evidence of one of the following test scores below:
  • Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT): test must be within the last year: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5 (Note: a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted)
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP – General): test must be within the last two years: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic or General: test must be within the last two years: Overall score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.0 in Reading and Writing.
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): test must be within the last two years: Overall Score of 50, with no section less than 40.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): test must be within the last two years. IBT only: Overall score of 56 with no score lower than 15 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 13 in Reading and Writing.

More information can be found here.

Applicants for this program must also have:
  • Excellent communication skills (composition)
  • Complete a Health Declaration Form (must be done no more than three months before program start date)
  • Submit a criminal record check (must be Public Safety & Solicitor General Schedule B) (must be done no more than three months before starting the program)
  • A police certificate from the country of origin must also be supplied for international students
  • Provide evidence of clear TB testing prior to acceptance (must be done no more than one month before the start of the program or no more than six months prior to the start of clinical)
  • Provide evidence of up-to-date Immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B)
  • Influenza and others as required by clinical sites
Diploma Requirements:

70% average upon successful completion of all courses.

CPR, First Aid, RAI, SPECO, Crisis Prevention, WHMIS and FoodSafe Level 1 (or an appropriate equivalent as listed on the BCCDC website) will be completed during the program.

Supervised clinical training may include any shifts other than day shift (i.e. evenings – 3pm to 11pm or nights – 11pm to 7am and possible weekends). Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical training sites. Clinical Training for HCA 401 may be conducted as a clinical or practicum placement. All clinical or practicum placements are conducted in shifts of a minimum of 7 hours per day up to 12 hours per day for a total of 270 hours. Clinical placement sites are subject to availability (may be in various areas). Clinical sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) and TB testing (to be done at student’s expense).

* Health Care Assistant Internationally Educated was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.

Students can expect to complete one to three hours of homework per day.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 34 week Diploma 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

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Normal aging changes
• Common health challenges
• Practical skills used to manage common health challenges

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Normal aging changes
• Common health challenges
• Practical skills used to manage common health challenges

• Concepts of caring and person-centered care
• Basic human needs and human development
• Standard precautions, safety, WHMIS
• Family culture and diversity

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Concepts of caring and person-centered care
• Professional communication
• Speaking and writing professionally
• Conflict management
• Family culture and diversity
• Dealing with others
• Building personal strengths

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Holistic components of health and healing (Health Wheel)
• Basic nutrition and FoodSafe
• Home management
• Self-care and health promotion

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Health care system in BC and Canada
• The health care team
• Job readiness
• Application of Professionalism
• Do Bugs Need Drugs
• Workplace culture

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• 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 and AED

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Intro to 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 examination

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• 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
• FoodSafe

• 50 hours of HCA theory & 18 hours of English language skills instruction
• Members of 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
• NVCI - Non-violence Crisis Intervention

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic functional English grammar structures and usage for interpretation of various materials and texts
• Discuss communication skills and communicative patterns in English for speaking development
• Utilize skimming and scanning techniques for reading comprehension
• Expand on paragraph and general writing techniques
• Utilize online ESL resources for vocabulary and HCA knowledge expansion
• Display an understanding of the human body and Health care environment vocabulary
• Create an ESL/HCA Glossary for Vocabulary

• Demonstrate an understanding of functional English grammar structures and usage for interpretation of various materials and texts
• Discuss communication skills and communicative patterns in English for development
• Utilize reading for detail, inferred meanings and main ideas for reading comprehension
• Expand on essay and general writing techniques
• Utilize Editing and Proofing techniques
• Display an understanding of common idiomatic expressions used in the workplace environment
• Expand on ESL/HCA Glossary for Vocabulary

• Demonstrate and apply the communicative process through in-class and online exercises
• Analyze and record key phrases, idiomatic expressions, and HCA-related vocabulary
• Develop their communicative approach through role plays, dialogues, discussion and presentations
• Develop active listening skills
• Review proper forms, email, letter writing, and note taking techniques used in the working environment
• Grammatical expansion for complex structure
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding through written and reflection journals
• Create an ESL/HCA Glossary for Vocabulary

  • Clinical 1 - Multi-level and/or Complex Care
    (Comp/Inc)
  • 2-week clinical experience

  • Clinical 2 - Multi-Level and/or Complex Care (Comp/Inc)
  • 2-week clinical experience

  • Clinical 3- Multi-Level and/or Complex Care (Comp/Inc)
  • 2-week clinical experience

  • 1 Clinical 4 / Practicum - Assisted Living and/or Home
    Support (Comp/Inc)
  • 2-week clinical or practicum experience

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

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