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Health Sciences
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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, in community and facility settings. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centered care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients/residents.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in any level of continuing care, including home support, adult day care, assisted living, and complex care (including special care units).

The program is based on the 2008 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

Academic entrance requirements

1. Successful completion of one of the following academic prerequisites:

• Grade 11 with regular English 11 or ENGL 081 
• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent with regular English 11 or ENGL 081
• A minimum of 6 credits at post-secondary level
• Mature students, age 19 or over, will be considered if they meet the prerequisites for ENGL 091, ENGL 099, or ENGL 105 at UFV

2. Students for whom English is a second language may be required to have an English language assessment through the English as a Second Language (ESL) department at UFV. Students must demonstrate English ability in reading, writing, listening/speaking, and vocabulary at the 70s level with a minimum GPA of 2.33 (C+).

Other entrance requirements

1. Current Red Cross standard first aid certificate or St. John's standard enhanced first aid certificate.

2. Submission of a signed health questionnaire indicating physical fitness and emotional stability. (Form will be provided at interview.)

3. Completion of an immunization program including negative TB test or chest X-ray is required before entry to the program. (Forms will be provided at interview). Hepatitis B immunization will be provided upon entry into the program. Applicants who have completed Hepatitis B immunization prior to entry to the program must submit proof of immunization.

4. Satisfactory interview with a program faculty member who may accept or defer acceptance based on:

a) Knowledge of and motivation toward a career as a health care assistant
b) Financial preparation
c) Communication skills

5. Health-care experience. Your health-care experience must consist of:
  • Experience as an employee working in a long-term care setting with elderly clients with a satisfactory reference; or
  • 30 hours of volunteer experience with residents in a long-term care setting with a satisfactory reference. (Applicants may use the reference form attached to the back of the HCA program application form.)

6. Satisfactory written reference (work or personal).

7. Successfully passing a security clearance check. (A criminal record check form will be provided at the interview.)

8. A valid driver’s licence (learner’s licence is not acceptable) and reliable transportation to all clinical sites.

9. Students must be familiar with computers and associated technology.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Science Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications must be received by May 1 for a September intake, or September 1 for a January intake.

How to apply

1. You may apply to the program prior to the completion of all entrance requirements. The following documents, however, must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, along with the application fee, in order to process your application:

• UFV application form (available at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply)
• Health Care Assistant application form (available at ufv.ca/admissions/forms)
• Proof of academic prerequisites (transcript required; see Note)

The UFV and HCA application forms are available from any UFV Office of the Registrar or Student Services.

Note: If you are currently enrolled in Grade 12, a letter is required from your school counsellor, stating that you are making satisfactory progress towards meeting the educational requirements for Grade 12 graduation.

Once all these documents have been received by the Office of the Registrar, an application date will be recorded, and your application will be forwarded to the Health Care Assistant program.

2. Submit all remaining documents to the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus. Applicants will be considered for the program based on:

• Complete applicant status
• Date of application

Documents required in order to achieve “complete applicant status” for Health Care Assistant applicants include:
• UFV application form
• Health Care Assistant program application form
• Proof of academic prerequisite (transcript required)
• Satisfactory employment or volunteer reference working with elderly clients in a care setting or with residents in a long-term care setting (minimum 30 hours)
• Current Red Cross standard certificate or St. John’s standard enhanced first aid certificate
• Work or personal reference
• Valid driver’s licence (learner’s licence is not acceptable)

3. Once “complete applicant status” has been obtained, applicants will be notified of and expected to attend a program information session. Failure to attend the information session may delay entry to the program.

4. At the program information session, applicants will be given a date and time for their interview with program faculty. At the interview, applicants will be given specific immunization, medical, and criminal record check forms and a due date on which the forms must be completed and returned.

5. Applicants will be given written notification as to whether or not they have been accepted, once the completed immunization, criminal record check, and medical forms have been received and reviewed by program faculty.

6. Upon acceptance into the program, applicants will be provided with registration information by the Office of the Registrar. A deposit is required by a specified date in order to reserve a seat in the program. This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Applicants who do not register for the program and pay the deposit, forfeit their seat to the next person on the program waiting list and must reapply to the program.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted based on the date of complete applicant status. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Dates and locations

This is a 24-week program which starts in either September or January. Classes are located at the Health Sciences Centre, Chilliwack campus. Approximately one-half of the program takes place in a variety of facilities throughout the Fraser Valley.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Additional books, supplies, and field trips will cost about $250. Uniform(s) and white duty shoes will cost approximately $200. The cost of parking and travelling to and from practicum locations is the responsibility of the student.

Program outline

Program policies

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.