Health Care Assistant Certificate at Northern Lights 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

Program overview

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program at Northern Lights College is tailored to equip students with essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to thrive as front-line caregivers. Graduates will work under the guidance of health professionals, delivering person-centred care that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual well-being of clients and their families. This program prepares students for diverse practice settings, including home support, assisted living, complex care, and acute care environments. The HCA program is an excellent starting point for those looking to embark on a rewarding career in health care.

Program structure

The Health Care Assistant program is structured to be completed in a duration of 31-34 weeks. Students can expect to engage in approximately 28 hours of classes, labs, and other learning activities each week, alongside a comparable amount of individual study time. The program includes:

Hands-on clinical learning experiences in various health care settings.
Opportunities to bridge into the Access to Practical Nursing Diploma program after completing a minimum of 600 hours of work experience.
Full-time and part-time study options, with part-time study extending the program duration.

Students should be prepared for close contact with individuals facing various health challenges, necessitating a satisfactory level of physical and emotional health for success in the program.

Featured Experiences

The Health Care Assistant program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

Clinical learning opportunities in diverse settings, including home support and acute care.
Partnership with Northern Health for the Health Care Access Program, which includes an online component and clinical elements at Northern Health facilities.
Students are paid while they study and work through the Health Care Access Program.
Hands-on laboratory components to develop practical skills.
Regular interaction with health professionals to gain real-world insights.

Career Options

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

Health Care Assistant: Provide personal care and support to clients in various settings, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
Home Support Worker: Assist clients with daily living activities in their homes, promoting independence and quality of life.
Assisted Living Caregiver: Support residents in assisted living facilities, helping them with personal care and social activities.
Complex Care Aide: Work in specialized care units, providing support to individuals with complex health needs.
Community Health Worker: Engage with community members to provide health education and support services, enhancing overall community health.

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

Visit Northern Lights College official website

Program overview

The following Academic Requirements reflect provincial standards mandated by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry.

Complete all requirements:

Secondary school requirement
- Grade 10 completion, or equivalent, or mature student status.
Language Requirements
- Applicants who have been educated in an English-speaking environment (a country with English language systems/institutions) for a minimum of seven years or applicants who have been educated in an English-speaking environment for four consecutive years at the secondary or post-secondary level, one of the following:
  - English 10 with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
  - ENGL 030(opens in a new tab) with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
  - If course requirements are over 10 years old or absent, complete:
    - all language sections on the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (Vocabulary, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Language) with a minimum score of 10.9 on each section
    - the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) with a total score of at least 20 and an essay level of 4 (24/40).
- For all other applicants, one of the following:
  - Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) within the previous six months with minimum scores of Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) within the last two years. IBT only. Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing
  - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic or General within the last two years. Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening, and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing
  - Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General within the last two years with minimum scores of Speaking and Listening 7 and Reading and Writing 6
  - Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) within the last two years. Overall Score of 60 with no section less than 50.
Math requirement
One of the following:
- Mathematics 10 with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
- MATH 030(opens in a new tab) with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
- If the course requirement is over ten years old or uncompleted, complete the CAAT exam numeracy section (Number Operations and Problem Solving) with a minimum score of 10.9
Science requirement
One of the following:
- Science 10 with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
- SCIE 030(opens in a new tab) with a minimum grade of C, or equivalent
- If the course requirements are over ten years old or uncompleted, complete the CAAT exam science section with a minimum score of 10.9

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