Health Care Assistant & Communication with Co- op for Internationally Educated

The Health Care Assistant International delivered by the Gateway College has been granted a full 5 year recognition status by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

*Graduates of the Health Care Assistant International delivered by Gateway College are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

*HCA program graduates are eligible for registration following successful completion of the Health Care Assistant International (Part I – III) of the program.
*Additional co-op hours are NOT required to become registered.

Program Description

Part I: Medical Terminology and Communications in Health Care

This course is designed for students who have no medical background or for those who are in the health care profession and would like to improve their medical terminology and communication skills in Health Care. These knowledge and skills are vital part of the communication process in the health care and will further improve delivery of care to residents in acute or community settings. The unique approach and combination of word building principles combined with the knowledge of Basic Anatomy and Physiology coupled with health care focused communication training will provide exceptional learning experience.

Part II: Essential Skills for Caregivers

This course has been developed mainly to train a caregivers/support worker who are going to work with infant/children with carious physical and emotional abilities or status. Caring for an infant provides a valuable service to the mother because it enables her to have more time and energy for herself and her family. The learners will have extensive knowledge of taking care of young and mothers and how to work with family.

Part III: Health Care Assistant – Accelerated

This program is the accelerated version of the Health Care Assistant program. Students receive the same training and credentials, but complete their studies within six months. Students will practice their techniques in labs equipped with articulated mannequins, hospital beds, medical gear and fixtures. Furthermore, students will participate at a designated facility or a hospital and interact with patients throughout the practicum training period. This training will help students learn proficiency and the confidence most needed on a job.

Upon completion of the HCA program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings including home support, assisted living, group homes, complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care.

Part IV: HCAC-IE Co-operative Learning (Co-op)

This part of the program aims to provide an effective and efficient form of professional preparation by combining an academic program with program-related work experience. The goal of this course is to provide students opportunities to advance their theoretical and practical learning through program-related work experience, to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting, to develop essential employment skills, to improve job-critical performance, and to develop a network of professional colleagues and potential employers. Upon successful completion of the co-op training, the student will have significant program-related work experience

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must be at least 19 years of age prior to start of the study period, or must be graduated from Grade 12 (or equivalent).
2. Applicants must provide proof of meeting HCA Program Entry- English Competency Requirements (Please refer to the HCA Program Entry- English Language Competency Requirements.)

3. International applicants must provide a clear police certificate from the country of origin.

*International applicants who cannot provide a police certificate from their country of origin*

• Provide proof they requested a police certificate from the correct authorities

• Write a letter explaining all they did to try to get one

Program Intake

2025
October 13

2026
February 9, June 8

Tuition and Fee

DOMESTIC
Non-refundable Application Fee: $250
Tuition: $11,100
Materials/Supplies: $600
Textbook fee: $250
Administrative fee: $150
Other fee: $190

INTERNATIONAL

Non-refundable Application Fee: $500
Tuition: 17,320
Materials/Supplies: $600
Textbook fee: $250
Administrative fee: $150
Other fee: $439

** ALL FEES ARE SHOWN AS CANADIAN DOLLARS**

Program Duration

1,555 hours over 49 weeks

Credentials

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be granted the following credentials*:

Health Care Assistant & Communication with Co-op for Internationally Educated Diploma

Health Care Assistant International Diploma

Dementia Certificate

Medication Assistance Certificate

Provincial Violence Prevention Certificate

WHMIS Certificate

*Graduates of the Health Care Assistant delivered by Gateway College are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry

Delivery Method

Combined Delivery: Online + On-site (face- to- face)

In-class instruction

Career opportunities

Language Proficiency

English Language Competency Requirements

(Evidence of one of the following test scores)

Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote: Test in the last year. Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5 (Note: a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program indicating “Completing” CLB Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6 and Writing 6 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7 may also be accepted.)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP – Online): Test in the last two years, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IETLS General or IETLS Academic Online): Test in the last two years: Overall score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.0 in Reading and Writing
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online): Test in the last two years, Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 40
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home edition): Test in the last two years, Overall score of 56 with no score lower than 15 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 13 in Reading and Writing
Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN): Test in the last two years, Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5

*Accept applicant with a CLB Report Card from a LINK Program indicating “Completing” CLP Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6 and Writing 6 AND “Recommended Class Placement” as Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7

Prior to the first practice education experience

The following are to be completed prior to the first practice education experience:
• First Aid Certification
• CPR Level “C” Certification or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certification
• FoodSafe Level 1 Certification (or a certification course deemed equivalent)
• Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the Learning Hub), which must include the following:
• A signed checklist SPECO Checklist. Pdf (phsa.ca)
• Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations as per health care organization policies / guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB)
• Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults*
• Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
• WHMIS – Provincial Course
• Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
• Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (learningHub)