Health Care Assistant

Academic Requirements

Program-specific

• High School Graduation
• 18 years of age or older
• Evidence of HCA Program English Language Competency Requirements
  • For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English: Standardized English language proficiency test score, as per BC Care Aide Registry.
  • For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English: English 10 with a minimum ‘C’ grade or equivalent, as per BC Care Aide Registry
• Completion of the VCC HCA English Competency Declaration form
• A police check from the applicant's country of origin, issued within 12 months before the program start date

To be Completed During Term 1:

• Standard First Aid (Red Cross or St. John Ambulance) including current CPR level C or BLS.
  • CPR certificates expire one year from the date of issue. Current status is required for all clinical and practicum experiences.
• BC FOODSAFE Certificate Level 1
• Criminal Record Check
  • Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the practice education requirements of the program or graduate.
• TB Screening
  • Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
  • An Immunization Record must be completed
  • Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practice education placements:
    • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
    • Polio
    • Measles, Mumps & Rubella
    • Varicella (Chicken pox)
    • Hepatitis B
    • Influenza (annually)
    • COVID-19
• N95 Respiratory Mask
  • An N95 respirator mask that is individually fitted by a trained provider, following CSA guidelines.
  • The individual mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning the program. Mask fitting must be done annually. Students are responsible for the cost of the mask fitting.
  • The original certificate must be presented to the department on the first day of class.
  • Please see Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information

General

• Seats are offered to applicants who have met all Academic Requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
• International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
• Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.

Language Requirements

Acceptable English proficiency evidence includes:

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.