Health Care Assistant and Community Mental Health Worker
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Certificate (special two-year cohort) |
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International applicants only - PGWP eligible | CIP code 51.3902, 51.1502 |
Health Care Assistant Certificate (year one)
Community Mental Health Worker Certificate (year two)
Applications open. |
Overview
The Health Care Assistant Program at NIC prepares you to provide essential personal care in various settings. You'll help individuals with daily activities while supporting their health, safety, and independence under the guidance of licensed nurses. HCAs work with a wide range of clients, including seniors, people with disabilities, those with chronic illnesses and individuals in palliative care.
The program includes:
- Classroom learning
- Hands-on training in tasks like bathing, dressing, and mobility support
- Two clinical placements in multi-level care and community settings
After completing the program, you’ll be eligible to register with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. This opens the door to high-demand jobs in residential care, home care and hospitals.
In year two, the Community Mental Health Worker program builds on your skills you learned in year one. You’ll focus on mental health, therapeutic support, recovery, and cultural wellness. The program combines classroom learning with practical placements, preparing you to support people’s physical and mental well-being.
Careers
Graduates can look for work as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in the health sector.
Requirements and courses
Practice placements
Student practice experiences in health agencies are essential to the program. You will be placed in complex care facilities that provide residential care and support for a primarily older adult population. In community settings you will provide services and supports to adults living in their own homes.
The majority of practice placements are in centres close to NIC campus communities, however it may be necessary to participate in placements in other Vancouver Island communities. You must arrange your own transportation and assume related costs. You may be required to work a variety of shifts; four, six, eight and/or 12 hour shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
"I started looking at NIC because it’s close to home, but it was the knowledgeable team of instructors and smaller class sizes that made me want to study here. NIC has so much to offer, it really feels like you are a part of a community being a student here."
Kira Cranna - NIC Heath Care Assistant certificate alum
"I’m taking the Health Care Assistant program, which I’ve found is an intense experience but I really do go home feeling self-fulfilled every day. I applied for the program because of one of the teachers at school encouraged me to consider it, as she knew that I have a commitment to helping others. I have a lot of family in healthcare too, so that was definitely an influence."
Josh Wold - NIC Dual Credit and Health Care Assistant alum
Frequently asked questions
Before starting the program, you must:
- Complete and submit a Criminal Record Check form (sent to you by Admissions upon acceptance).
- Submit a completed Personal Immunization form, validated by a healthcare professional.
- Ensure you hold and submit a current Standard First Aid with CPR Level C certificate (valid throughout the program).
- Ensure you hold and submit a valid Food Safe Level 1 certificate (valid throughout the program).
