Health Care Assistant
Certificate in Health Care Assistant
(formerly Home Support/Resident Care Attendant) 
Come out, meet your instructors and learn more!
- Do you have a genuine desire to work with older adults and persons with disabilities?
- Are you intrigued by the possibility of assisting others with personal care in the practical aspects of their day-to-day lives?
- Are you aware that this career may require you to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and 8-12 hour shifts?
If you answered yes to all the above, then Health Care Assistant is the perfect career for you to pursue. 
The 24-week, Health Care Assistant (HCA) program will
prepare you as a frontline care 
provider in long term care facilities and a
variety of community settings. As you work through the program’s curriculum
and your clinical placements, you’ll acquire the skills, knowledge and
values you’ll need to provide professional care to the elderly and those
facing other health or illness challenges. Focusing on the elderly, you’ll
learn how to provide care thatpromotes and maintains the physical, psychological
and social well-being of the clients you’ll care for in your subsequent
role as a Health Care Assistant.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a Health Care Assistant it is recommended that you volunteer in a long-term care facility prior to beginning the program. This will assist you in understanding the role of the HCA and help in determining whether this is an appropriate career choice.
- Length:
- Full-Time: 6 months (24 weeks).
- Part-Time: 8 months.
- Location: Lansdowne Campus
You can start your HCA career training this fall!
Next intakes are:
- Full Time:
- September 7, 2010 - February 18, 2011; classes run Monday-Friday 8:00am-2:00pm.
- October 21, 2010 – April 15, 2011; classes run Thursday-Monday 3:30-9:00pm.
- Part Time:
- September 7, 2010 - May 20, 2011; classes run Tuesday & Wednesday 3:30-9:00pm & Saturday 9:00am-3:00p.
Students will be required to participate in clinical placements that include day and evening shifts that may occur outside of regular class time. Part time students - note that the final clinical placements will be full time.
Alternative Intake Streams:
Indigenous HCA - is designed for Aboriginal* learners who want to take the HCA program while focusing on Indigenous community and culture. Learn more!
*Camosun College views any student who is a descendant of the Indigenous peoples of North America to be an Aboriginal student. This includes status and non-status Indians, Métis, Inuit and Native Americans who reside in Canada..
HCA ESL - English your second language? The HCA ESL program is designed for students to take the HCA program while having a chance to improve their English skills. Learn more!