Health Care Assistant, Certificate

Admissions

Evidence of all of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

1. HCA Program Entry - English Language Competency Requirements      

To be accepted into a recognized BC HCA program, applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English**. Students must be able to communicate effectively in English to be successful in their studies and capable of providing safe and competent care to patients/clients/residents in the work environment during practice education components. Domestic and/or international applicants who do not have three years of full-time instruction in English will require a standardized proficiency assessment to confirm competency in all four language skills areas (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English, one of: 

• C in English 11 
• C in English 11 Camosun Alternative    
• ACCUPLACER Next Generation Test Results: Reading 250, Writing 245 and Writeplacer 5  

For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English, one of:

Standardized English language proficiency test score​

• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) (test must be within the last year):
  • Listening 7
  • Speaking 7
  • Reading 6
  • Writing 6

Note: A CLB Report Card from a Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) Program may also be accepted.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General (test must be within the last two years):
  • overall score of 6
  • minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening
  • no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) (test must be within the last two years):
  • overall score of 60
  • no section less than 50
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (test must be within the last two years) IBT only:
  • an overall score of 76
  • no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening
  • no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing

**Applicants must provide a transcript(s) or a BC personal education record as evidence to confirm completion of a minimum of three years of full-time instruction in English. To meet this threshold, the Registry looks to confirm that applicants have studied over a period of three years and completed a minimum of two semesters of studies within each year. In addition, it is expected that the student will be taking full time studies (30 credits per academic year to a minimum of 18 credits per academic year [60% courseload]). In this way, it is typically a minimum of six semesters with total credits between 54 - 90 credits, completed over the three-year timeframe.

2.     Attendance at a Health Care Assistant program Information Session

This is required to ensure applicants have a strong understanding of the expectations of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program and the role of the HCA in the work environment. An online Information Session module is available for anyone unable to attend in person.

When you apply, you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

3. For International students: a clear police certificate from country of origin must also be included as a program entry requirement

Approved English-Speaking Countries

The following countries are considered by the Registry as those where English is the primary and official language, and the language used for education. Where approved countries offer education in languages other than English, transcripts must demonstrate that English was the language of instruction.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...