In addition to a Health Care Assistant Diploma, our graduates also receive the following 9 certificates:
- Palliative Care Certificate
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care Certificate
- Mental Health Certificate
- Medication Assistance Certificate
- HCA Acute Care Certificate
- Provincial Violence Prevention Certificate
- WHMIS
- Food Safe Certificate
- Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certificate
THE ROLE OF THE HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
Health Care Assistants may hold several different job titles in the workplace including residential care aide, personal care aide and Community Health Worker. Regardless of the title, these individuals are responsible to provide highly personalized care and service to those who cannot fully care for themselves such as the elderly and young disabled. As members of an interdisciplinary team, Health Care Assistants work on the front-line completing duties which include grooming, bathing, assistance with medication, mobility and a long list of other very individualized tasks depending on the clients they are serving.
HCA Full-Time: In Class Delivery
- 6 Months / 26 Weeks Total
- Day or Evening Classes
- Includes 7.2 weeks of full-time practice experience arranged by the college
HCA Full-Time: Combined Delivery
- 6 Months / 26 Weeks Total
- 1 day or 2 evenings per week plus online studies weekly
- Includes 7.2 weeks of full-time practice experience arranged by the college
ESL-HCA Full-Time: In Class Delivery
- 35 Weeks Total
- Day or Evening Classes
- Includes 7.2 weeks of full-time practice experience arranged by the college
- Includes 195hrs of ESL training
ESL-HCA Full-Time: Combined Delivery
- 35 weeks total
- 1 day or 2 evenings per week plus online studies weekly
- Includes 7.2 weeks of full-time practice experience arranged by the college
- Includes 195hrs of ESL training
- Concepts for Practice (70 hours)
- Introduction to Practice (30 hours)
- Interpersonal Communications (50 hours)
- Lifestyle & Choices (30 hours)
- Common Health Challenges (115 hours)
- Cognitive or Mental Challenges (60 hours)
- Personal Care and Assistance (120 hours)
- Practice Experience: Multi-Level and/or Complex Care (210 hours)
- Clinical: 150 hours
- Practicum: 60 hours
- Practice Experience: Home Support and/or Assisted Living (60 hours)
**ESL/HCA Program: also includes ESL (195 hours) and Career Communications (105 hours)
- Proof of Grade 12 graduation or mature student status i.e 19 years or older before the start of classes
- Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements as per the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry Health Care Program Recognition Guide
https://www.cachwr.bc.ca/resources/pdf/educators/HCA-Minimum-Program-Entry-Requirements.pdf - Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults within 6 months of program acceptance, or evidence to show that a criminal record search has been requested by the program start date.
- International students must also provide a police certificate from the country of origin.
- Those enrolling in either of the Combined Delivery formats will also require:
- Evidence of prior learning or work experience within the field of study
- Or a score of 65% or greater on the Drake Medox College Prior Learning Assessment
“We have recently hired another Drake Medox Graduate. Your students are very instrumental in enriching the lives of our residents- during practicum and after being hired.”
R. Dzenkiw
Resident Services Coordinator
Assisted Living – Amica Senior Lifestyles
“We highly regard Community Support Work related schooling/credentials when making hiring decisions. The schooling indicates to us that applicants have some systematic training in the field and are passionate about quality care; this means they are likely to be high performers and stay longer because they fully understand what the job involves. Retention is a huge consideration, those that are likely to stay longer will always be highly sought after as it takes time to build working relationships and relationships with person served.”
Robin W.
HR Generalist
posAbilities
“Thank you Drake Medox College for assisting us in our hiring. We gained 5 staff from our posting and hope to gain more. Again our gratitude for producing high caliber members of the health care industry.”
Leo Monterola
Director of Care
Carlton Gardens Care Centre
“We have been very fortunate with the candidates from Drake Medox. The training process and instructors are doing an excellent job.”
Marlene F.
Pro Vita Care Management
All Drake Medox College Health Care Assistant graduates are eligible for BC Care Aide registration. Please view this video for more information about the registry.
