Community Health Worker Bon with client

As a Health Care Assistant, you will provide personal care assistance and services in a caring manner that recognizes and supports the unique needs, abilities and backgrounds of clients and their families. You will promote and maintain their health, safety, independence, comfort and well-being.

HCAs are dedicated members of a health care team in a variety of settings with direction and supervision from regulated health care professionals. To be eligible to work as an HCA in any publicly funded health care setting in BC, applicants must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

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Where you can work

  • Acute care
  • Community home health
  • Long-term care
  • Group home options
  • Hospice and palliative care

Health Career Access Program (HCAP)

Earn while you learn through HCAP – 100% Employer Paid Education and Training

HCAP is a new entry-level opportunity for people interested in joining the healthcare sector as a Care Aide. We will pay 100 percent of your wages, tuition and books while you undergo an accelerated 12 to 18 month training program. This includes online and in-person training as well as the opportunity for hands-on learning in both home support and long-term care.

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Why join Vancouver Coastal Health?

  • Supportive, world-class team who delivers exceptional care to all
  • Competitive salaries and strong premiums and allowances
  • Career growth with employer supported development opportunities
  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Live and work anywhere in VCH region due to high demand
  • Graduate and start working in 7 months

Responsibilities of a Health Care Assistant

As a Health Care Assistant, you will promote and maintain the health, safety, independence, comfort and well-being of individuals and families. Responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Helping individuals, families and communities develop their capacity and access to resources, including health insurance, food, housing, quality care and health information
  • Facilitating communication and client empowerment in interactions with health care/social service systems
  • Helping health care and social service systems become culturally relevant and responsive to their service population
  • Helping people understand their health condition(s) and develop strategies to improve their health and well being
  • Helping to build understanding and social capital to support healthier behaviours and lifestyle choices
  • Delivering health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts
  • Linking people to health care/social service resources
  • Providing health services, such as monitoring blood pressure and providing first aid
  • Making home visits to chronically ill patients, pregnant women and nursing mothers, individuals at high risk of health problems and the elderly
  • Translating and interpreting for clients and health care/social service providers

Three reasons to become a Health Care Assistant

Competitive Earning Potential

Due to the high demand for workers in the healthcare industry, careers in healthcare are some of the most well-paying options available. Plus the more training and expansive your skills set is, the higher your pay will be.

You Can Live & Work Anywhere In B.C.

Almost every region of the province has a strong demand for HCAs, meaning that you can live and work almost anywhere in British Columbia once you receive recognized training and register as a Health Care Assistant. There are very few fields that offer such widespread career opportunities as the healthcare field.

Graduate and start working in 7 months

Health Care Assistant training program duration varies from school to school, but the average time range is seven months. Most HCAs graduate and register to start working in less than a year. If you’re ready to take the first step towards becoming a Health Care Assistant, check out these recognized HCA training programs in British Columbia.

Maria Lugs

Meet the Team

“I decided a career in geriatrics would be the most fulfilling for me. It is a career choice I have never regretted.”

Maria Lugs, Health Care Assistant, Minoru Residence

Meet Maria
Adelaide Ambers

Meet the Team

“I really enjoy being a light in someone’s day. Working in the beautiful community in Pemberton lets me connect with the locals here.”

Adelaide Ambers, Community Care Assistant, Pemberton

Meet Adelaide
What it's like being a Community Health Worker during COVID-19

How to apply

External applicant

Internal applicant

Out-of-province or international applicant