For up-to-date information regarding VIU program availability, please see Start Date and Application Deadlines the Health Care Assistant Certificate Program Information.
The Health Care Assistant (HCA) Certificate program provides students with learning opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and values to become competent caregivers in a variety of settings. Graduates will provide hands on care and support to older adults experiencing change in their functional abilities.
The Health Care Assistant program is a 24-week full time program. You will experience classroom teaching, discussions, hands on experience in the nursing lab, as well as a variety of clinical settings. The learning environment enables students to learn to become a vital part of the interdisciplinary health care team. In 2023, all HCA courses have been updated following BC Health Care Assistant Curriculum. The program is being offered at three campuses – Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River. Graduates of the HCA program at VIU are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry.
Over the years graduates from the Health Care Assistant program have found employment with our local health authorities (Vancouver Island Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority) and other agencies (Public, affiliated and private). Our graduates are well respected in our communities. As our population continues to age our graduates will continue to be in high demand.
Many of our graduates, after working in the field, have return to Vancouver Island University to further their career in the Health field by enrolling in the Licensed Practical Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
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What students say about our program
“I didn’t know I’d learn so much about myself.”
“The program has surpassed my expectations by making it some of the most meaningful months of my life so far.”
"I remember my first day. I was so scared because I had never been a student with good grades. In high school, I was generally receiving C-'s, maybe if I was lucky a C+ at my best. I held off going to school for 6 years out of fear for failure. One day I became a 23 year old single mom and thought to myself, how am I going to support me and my child on minimum wage? One of my old time friends had mentioned to me this course and told me I would be great at it. Struggling and frustrated with not moving up in life, I decided to give it a chance. I was and still am amazed at how clouded I was to the fact of my abilities. This program not only educated me about how to help others, but it taught me confidence and that I am smart and can do school and on top of that, I made great friends. I am proud to say I have one B+ and the rest A+'s, and have grown up in all aspects of my life. Thank you for giving me this amazing boost in the right direction and making me a better me. I hope others will take my words and realize they can do it too and receive a life changing opportunity the same as I."
Lindsay Thibert, Health Care Assistant Graduate
"I found this course a learning experience I will never forget. The instructors were extremely supportive in all aspects, and I graduated feeling confident, prepared, and ready to work. The training I received will help me be the best HCA I can be and it's owed all to the thorough and intense training from well educated and patient teachers."
Jessica Bennie, Health Care Assistant Graduate
"Not only does the VIU HCA program give you the skills you need to be a Health Care Assistant. They teach you how to be a healthy, whole person. They show you that you have to love, and be responsible for yourself, before you can take someone else's well-being into your hands. I am a better person for having taken the program, and I walked into a job the day after I received my certificate."
Stephanie Hug, Health Care Assistant Graduate