Health Care Assistant Certificate

Minimum HCA Program Entry Requirements

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

1. Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent)1 OR mature student status

2. Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry - English Language Competency Requirements

• 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
• Applicants must have 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

Accuplacer Reading 240, writing 240, and write placer 4.0

Upon acceptance to the school program, evidence of completion of the following must be 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
• Food Safe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
• Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the Learning Hub), 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)
• Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults.
• Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
• WHMIS – Provincial Course
• Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (Learning Hub)
• Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (Learning Hub)

The following are strongly recommended:

• 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)
• Mental Health First Aid (available through the Mental Health Commission of Canada)
• Dementia Care Training Certificate
• Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum In Person Workshop - available through Safe Care BC; may be required for placement, confirm with placement site and view further information here: Violence Prevention Training for Students.pdf (healthcarebc.ca)
• In addition to HCA Program Provincial Curriculum coverage and the HCA Practice in BC E-Learning module (Module 3), completion of further coursework in Indigenous cultural safety and humility.