Health Care Assistant Certificate at Camosun College - Program overview

This program is currently under review and being updated. For the most up-to-date information, please contact us.

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-07-14

Program overview

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Program Overview

The Health Care Assistant Certificate program at Camosun College is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to excel as front-line caregivers. This program prepares graduates to become respected members of the health care team, capable of providing care in both community and facility settings. With a focus on working with older adults and individuals with disabilities, students will learn to assist with personal care and support clients in their daily lives. The program is in high demand, reflecting the growing need for qualified Health Care Assistants in the health care sector.

Program Structure

The Health Care Assistant Certificate program is structured to provide a comprehensive education over a 28-week period, equivalent to one academic year. The program is offered full-time, with classes scheduled from Monday to Friday, typically from 8:30 AM to 3 PM. Key features of the program structure include:

Clinical/fieldwork placements to gain hands-on experience.
Intakes available in January, May, and September.
Opportunities for specialization in streams such as Health Care Assistant - English Second Language and Health Care Assistant - Indigenous.
Focus on person-centered care, emphasizing the physical, emotional, and social well-being of clients.

Students are expected to engage in full-time clinical placements, which may include day and evening shifts, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-world caregiving scenarios.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on clinical placements throughout the program, providing practical experience in real health care settings.
Specialization options for students interested in enhancing their skills in specific areas, such as working with Indigenous communities or improving English language proficiency.
Recognition by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry, ensuring that graduates meet provincial training standards.
Information sessions available to help prospective students understand the program and its expectations.

Career Options

Graduates of the Health Care Assistant Certificate program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Health Care Assistant: Provide personal care and support to clients in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences.
Personal Support Worker: Assist individuals with daily living activities, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Community Support Worker: Work with clients in community settings, helping them access resources and services.
Rehabilitation Assistant: Support rehabilitation professionals in helping clients recover from injuries or surgeries.
Home Support Worker: Provide in-home care for clients, assisting with personal care, meal preparation, and companionship.

These roles are vital in promoting the health and well-being of individuals, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, making the Health Care Assistant a rewarding career choice.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Camosun College official website

Last updated on 2025-07-14

Program overview

Academic Requirements

To gain admission into the Health Care Assistant Certificate program, applicants must provide evidence of all the following requirements:

Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status;
Attendance at a Health Care Assistant program Information Session; this is required to ensure applicants have a strong understanding of the expectations of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program and the role of the HCA in the work environment. An online Information Session module is available for anyone unable to attend in person.
For International students: a clear police certificate from the country of origin must also be included as a program entry requirement.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For international students, it is essential to demonstrate proficiency in English. Applicants who do not have three years of full-time instruction in English will require a standardized proficiency assessment to confirm competency in all four language skills areas (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).

Additionally, applicants must meet the following prerequisites:

Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry - English Language Competency Requirements, which includes:
- For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English: English 11 completion or equivalent.
- For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English: Standardized English language proficiency test score.

It is important to contact LOA Portal's advisors for any clarification and support regarding the Academic Requirements.

Language Requirements

To be admitted to the Health Care Assistant Certificate program at Camosun College, you must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:

IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 6.0)
TOEFL iBT score of 78 overall (no sub-score less than 19)
PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online score of 54 overall (no sub-score less than 50)
Cambridge Assessment of English: C1 Advanced score of 174 overall (no sub-score less than 169)
CAEL CE score of 60 overall (no sub-score less than 60)

Note: Your test results must be from the past two years. Some programs may require higher scores than these minimum requirements. Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!

Last updated on 2025-12-06

Program overview

Intake	Status	Open date to apply	Deadline to apply	Campus
January 2026	Closed	Not Available	2025-10-01	Not Available
May 2026	Open	Not Available	2026-02-01	Not Available
September 2026	Open	Not Available	2026-05-15	Not Available