Health Care Assistant
- Delivery Method: In-Class
- Duration: 30 weeks, including a 7-week practicum
- Starts: Surrey: Two starts per year (April and October)
- Credential: Certificate
- Wages: Up to $23.05/hour
As a Health Care Assistant, you provide support to elderly individuals and help them maintain a level of independence while easing their pain and improving their quality of life. Graduates are prepared to work in Extended and Intermediate Care Facilities, Home Support Agencies, Adult Day Care, and Assisted Living residences. While the majority of program graduates provide care for seniors, our program prepares you to care for adults with a wide variety of chronic health conditions.
Stenberg College has offered the Health Care Assistant (Resident Care Attendant) Program for over 20 years and maintains an excellent reputation for training students that are exceptionally prepared for employment after graduation. The program has nearly 300 hours of experience in the field so that students are extremely well prepared and connected for employment after their Program ends. Students are taught by instructors that are currently working in industry, ensuring that skills learned are relevant and in-demand.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 10 graduation or 19 years of age or older
- Passing Stenberg College entrance examination
- Passing Stenberg College entrance interview
- Successful completion of a short written essay
- Passing English Language Competency Requirements
Prior to Program Admission, Program Advisors will outline practice education requirements for the program. Upon enrollment, students will be informed of next steps and timelines. Non-compliance could result in program dismissal. Requirements for practice education placements include:
- Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act
- Acceptable Criminal Record Search under the Criminal Record Review Act
- Proof of Immunity Status as required by industry
- Acceptable Medical Examination Form completed by a physician
Please note: A valid driver’s license and access to personal transport is recommended for HCA200: Home Support / Assisted Living Practicum. Students who are not able to provide their own transport may have difficulty meeting the requirements of this component.
NB: Additional criteria may be required to fulfill industry guidelines; students will be informed in advance of any requirements that need to be fulfilled for placements.
Financing Your Education
You could be eligible for Employment Insurance funding for education, government student loans, as well as other financing options; Stenberg’s Financial Aid Officer would be happy to provide further assistance.
Student Stories
Read stories from our students and grads about their experience with the Health Care Assistant program at Stenberg.
Paulett HoSang
Brave. Strong. Resolute. These are just some of the adjectives that have been used by Paulett HoSang’s family, friends and co-workers to describe her. A native of Jamaica, Paulett immigrated to Canada with her husband in June 2015 in search of a better life.
Despite the fact that she had ten years of experience as a Health Care Assistant in Jamaica, Paulett’s certificates and diplomas were of no value in Canada. After a brief stint as a house cleaner, Paulett decided she wanted to continue working in health care in Canada. Despite her determination, Paulett was frightened by the prospect of returning to school. “It was a challenge – I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, after so many years out of the classroom, how am I going to cope with full time education?’ After reading up on what topics the program covered and learning that Stenberg offered a 100% employment guarantee for their Health Care Assistant program graduates, I enrolled.”
Paulett maintained an impressive GPA of 91% throughout the program, and was nominated as Student of the Year by two separate instructors. How did Paulett stay motivated during a program that was preparing her for a career she had worked in for ten years? By simply embracing the process. “There is always something new to learn,” Paulett says.
“You can’t just believe that you know everything. I’m willing to open my mind so that whatever is out there for me to learn, I can grasp it.”
Now working as a Health Care Assistant, Paulett urges those looking for a career change to make their move. “If you want to do something, just go out and do it! I did! I’m really proud to know that I’ve done it, and If I can, then anybody can do it!”
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