Health Care Assistant
Health Care Assistant
Why become a health care assistant?
You’ve always enjoyed people and have a great deal of patience and understanding for seniors, people with disabilities, and people who are dealing with life-affecting illness.
As a graduate, you are prepared to care for older adults with diverse, often complex, but relatively stable health and illness needs, and you are qualified to work in any level of institutionalized/home/community care service including adult day care, assisted living, complex care, home support, and hospital settings.
The Health Care Assistant program is also an opportunity to test out whether a nursing career may be for you.
What type of career can I expect?
Our program will train you to provide daily, personal care for elderly clients with chronic and acute health problems. Many Health Care Assistants find employment in residential care facilities. Others find employment in home support — providing care in the individual’s house rather than an institutional setting. Job opportunities are available in casual, part-time, and full-time employment. Starting salary ranges from $12 to $22 per hour depending on the worksite.
Why take the Health Care Assistant program at UFV?
Our 24-week, full-time program will take you on the path to a new and rewarding career. UFV has designed the program that this growing profession demands, and UFV’s graduates are the ones often hired, almost immediately after graduation. While studying at UFV, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be a frontline care provider in a health care career.
The program is delivered at UFV’s Chilliwack campus, with clinical components taking place in a variety of settings throughout the Fraser Valley. Your daily attendance in this full-time program is expected.
What type of courses will I take?
Here's an outline of the 24-week program:
For more details on course information, see course descriptions and program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar.
What is the time format of the program?
Class time on the Chilliwack campus is from 8:30 am-4 pm, five days a week except clinical time. Your full-time clinical setting may require some evening time shifts, 2-4 times a week — in Chilliwack, Abbotsford or Mission.
What do I need to get in?
Both academic & other entrance requirements can be found in the UFV Academic Calendar.
I’m interested. What’s the next step?
Check out UFV’s Academic Calendar . Read the section about the Health Care Assistant program carefully.
Please visit the Steps to Apply page to see program deadlines.
The following documents must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, along with the application fee, in order to process your application:
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 School of Health Studies. You must then submit all remaining documents to the School of Health Studies, CEP Chilliwack campus.
Other documents required include: (These documents are to be submitted to the School of Health Studies department)
Is there anything else?
Once we receive the necessary documents, we will send you a letter acknowledging your complete status. Complete applicants will be invited to attend an information/orientation session. At the session you will have the opportunity to sign up for your individual interview with program faculty who may accept or defer your application based on your:
Prior to the interview, you will receive the following additional documents to be completed:
In addition to a valid driver’s license you will be required to have reliable transportation to all practica sites.
Sounds good. When should I apply?
Apply at any time. Program start dates are September and January of each year. Intake into this program is on a continuous basis.
How much does it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
For estimated costs, please visit the fees and costs section. For a more thorough review of fees and costs, please visit the Fees and additional costs section in the Academic Calendar as fees are subject to change.
It’s also worth a visit to the UFV Financial Aid and Awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of about $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students.
What kind of assistance is there to help me adjust?
Please visit UFV's Student Services to learn about the broad range of services designed to help you learn about and adjust to the university environment.
I’m not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Absolutely. We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, you can:
“This program has helped me develop an understanding of the health care profession and opened doors into the industry. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to work directly with patients and make a difference in their lives.”