Health Sciences

Health Care Assistant certificate

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Under the direction and supervision of a regulated health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.

Upon completion of the HCA program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings, including home support, assisted living, group homes, complex care (special care units), acute care, and other home and community care settings.

The program is based on a provincial curriculum and includes classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as practicum experience in a variety of settings throughout the Fraser Valley. This is a full-time program with daily attendance expected. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

Entrance requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of the following:

1. Successful completion of Grade 11 or mature student status (19 years or older).
2. Proof of meeting the HCA program entry English language competency requirements (below).

HCA program entry English language competency requirements

1. Applicants who provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English must also provide proof of one of the following:
   • Successful completion of Grade 11 English with one of Composition 11, Creative Writing 11, Literary Studies 11, New Media 11, Spoken Language 11, English First Peoples 11, English 11, or ENGL 081. A minimum grade of C is acceptable.
   • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 11 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum grade of C is acceptable.
   • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 230, Writing 230 and Writeplacer 4.
2. Applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English (see Note) are required to provide evidence for one of the following standardized English language proficiency test scores:
   • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online). Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6. Test must have been in the last two years.
   • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition): overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing. Test must have been within the last two years.
   • International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online): overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing. Test must have been within the last two years.
   • Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT or CLBPT Remote): Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6. Test must have been within the last year.
   • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online): overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50. Test must have been within the last two years.

   Note: Defined as three years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution on the list of approved English-speaking countries. These are countries with English Language systems/institutions where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.

Other requirements

1. Current Standard First Aid with CPR-C, Emergency First Aid with CPR-C or with CPR-HCP, or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
2. Completion of an immunization program prior to the start date. Immunization forms will be included with the letter of acceptance. Proof of immunization must be received by the date specified.
3. Successful completion of a criminal record check. A Criminal Record Clearance is required by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Additional information:

• A valid driver’s licence is strongly recommended. Reliable transportation is normally required for the practicum course and other practice experience components.
• Students should have access to and experience with computers and associated technology to answer emails, access course documents, complete assignments, and access online workplace training orientation modules.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

How to apply

1. Those interested in beginning a career as an HCA will use the government process to apply to the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) and follow these requirements once accepted. UFV is not currently accepting applications directly for the Health Care Assistant certificate. UFV’s regular application process will resume at the completion of the government initiative.
   
   Successful applicants through the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) will receive an email from the School of Health Studies.
2. The following documents must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in order to process an application:
   • Proof of academic prerequisites (official transcript required)
   • Completion of standardized English proficiency test as necessary
   • HCA program English competency self-declaration form
   Once these documents have been received by the Office of the Registrar, the application will be forwarded to the Health Care Assistant program.
3. The following documents must be submitted to the School of Health Studies, Chilliwack campus:
   • Current Standard First Aid with CPR-C, Emergency First Aid with CPR-C or with CPR-HCP, or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
   • School of Health Studies Immunization form
   • Criminal record check
   Once all documents have been completed and reviewed, successful applicants will be notified.

Fees and additional costs

The costs of parking and traveling to and from practicum locations are the responsibility of the student.

Dates and location

This is a 28-week program which starts in either August or November. Classes are located at the CEP, Chilliwack campus. Approximately one-half of the program takes place in a variety of facilities throughout the Fraser Valley.

Program outline

Program continuance

Due to the integrated nature of the courses, progression through the program requires successful completion of each course. Successful completion of each theory course requires a grade of 65% or better. Lab and clinical courses are graded as credit or no credit.

Students who withdraw or fail may re-apply to the program. The HCA courses are closely related and are considered co-requisites. Failure in one course may necessitate retaking of previously completed courses. Each student will receive a UFV HCA Student Guidelines & Policy Manual which further explains the program's continuance requirements and polices.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.