Work opportunities abound for health care assistants

Caregivers are needed to provide front-line care to ever growing numbers of patients in the Fraser Valley.

UFV's 24-week Health Care Assistant certificate program teaches you the skills required to provide quality personal care for adult patients with diverse, and sometimes complex, health needs. A supervised field placement with a local health facility provides you with the opportunity to apply what you learn, gain work experience, and make connections in the industry.

This program is ideal for anyone wanting quick entry into the booming health care field. The profession is also well suited to wage earners with family responsibilities who need flexible work schedules.

Once you graduate from UFV's Health Care Assistant Program, you are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

Our graduates are in high demand. Many local employers give preference to UFV-trained candidates when hiring.

Career Outlook for health care assistant

Health care assistants work in extended and intermediate care facilities, home support agencies, adult day care centers, hospices, assisted living residences, or hospitals' acute care units, delivering health-related services to adults who have physical or mental health problems and need permanent or temporary care.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada, seniors make up the fastest growing segment of the population country-wide. By 2030, seniors will number over 9.5 million and make up 23 percent of Canadians. B.C. leads the nation with people 85 years or older as the fastest growing demographic. This trend is expected to continue for several decades. As a result, the demand for health care assistants is rising sharply and work opportunities abound.