General Information About The Program

You must apply on this posting to be considered for this program.

You must reside in the community you are applying for.

You must attach a recent resume when applying on this posting.

Dates are subject to change at any time.

This Program will involve participants completing the Health Care Assistant certification program at a post-secondary institution with tuition paid for by the Ministry of Health and participants are paid a stipend for 37.5 hours per week while studying. The current stipend rate is $24.80 per hour.

This program takes approximately 10.5 months to complete. Upon successful completion and registration with the BC Care Aide/Community Health Worker Registry, you will commence employment as a Community Health Worker (CHW) in the Home Support sector, providing care to clients in their homes.

You must have a personal laptop/computer and a reliable internet connection as classes may be done from home.

Some of the conditions required to enter the program are

Must be a Canadian citizen or have Permanent Residency status in Canada. Completing a Criminal Record Check (CRC) for working with children and vulnerable adults. Possess a valid Class 5 BC Drivers License and have use of a reliable vehicle for business purposes. Meeting the College admission requirements for the Health Care Assistant Program in a timely manner. Those accepted by the college first will stand a better chance of securing a seat. Signing a 12 month return of service (ROS) agreement. The ROS period commences upon becoming registered and starting in a Community Health Worker position. Signing the Heath Care Support Worker Certificate Program Waiver that allows the sharing of your relevant information with the post-secondary institution. Pass an English proficiency test if English is your second language or if you were educated outside of Canada. Not be currently performing a Health Care Aide role and have not previously completed the HCA program in BC.

During The Program

You will be paid a stipend of $24.80 per hour for 37.5 hours per week, via Northern Health Payroll, funded by the Ministry of Health. This stipend is non-pensionable, and the hours are not Employment Insurance (EI) insurable. You will be in school on a full-time basis and are expected to attend and participate in all classes. You will not accrue seniority hours while in the education program. The Ministry of Health will pay the tuition, fees and cost of required books directly to the college and provide participants with a one-time $342 stipend to assist with the costs of pre-requisite courses (participants apply for this on-line once a seat in a cohort has been confirmed). The program may be a combination of on-line and face to face, in class learning. Each college sets their own class schedule; however, it is subject to change at any time and is at the discretion of the college. There may be evening and Saturday classes. Clinicals and Practicum/Preceptorship portions will be varied shift days and times, including weekends and nights. Travel and overnight stays may be required for class, labs or clinical placements. Some associated costs may be covered by the program.

Following Successful Completion Of This Heath Career Access Program

You are required to apply for registration with the BC Care Aide/Community Health Worker Registry promptly upon receiving confirmation of completion by the post-secondary institution. The term of your Health Care Support Worker position will be deemed to have ended No requirement by Northern Health for displacement or layoff rights under the Collective Agreement You will immediately apply on vacancies and accept a Community Health Worker position as required under the Return of Service Agreement. Note – there is no guarantee of a regular position upon completion of program, only casual employment is guaranteed per the terms of the agreements in place. Regular positions must be applied for based on current collective agreement language.