<p>This program leads to a Red Seal certification. Visit our <a href="/go/plan/trades">Trades page</a>.</p>

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate is designed to provide you with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line care-givers and respected members of the healthcare team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings including home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care. 

Health Care Assistant Certificate

Northern Lights College

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1. Completion of Grade 10 or equivalent

2. English 
    - **Option A.** For Native English Speakers (if you have studied in an English-speaking environment for at least seven years or have studied in an English-speaking environment for four consecutive years at the secondary or post- secondary level)
        - English 10 (C) or ENGL 030 or equivalent (completed within the last 10 years)
    - **Option B.** For Non-Native English Speakers 
        - One of:
            - CLBPT (7 in Listening + Speaking, 6 in Reading + Writing, written within the last six months)
            - TOEFL IBT (overall score of 76, with at least 20 in Speaking + Listening, 18 in Reading + Writing, written within the last two years)
            - IELTS Academic or General (6 overall, with at least 6 in Speaking + Listening, 5.5 in Reading + Writing, written within the last two years)
            - CELPIP Academic or General (at least 7 in Speaking + Listening, 6 in Reading + Writing, written within the last two years)
            - CAEL (60 overall, with no section below 50, written within the last two years)

3. Math 10 (C) or equivalent
    - Note: Math 10 or MATH 030 must have been completed within the past 10 years. 
4. Science 10 (C) or equivalent
    - Note: Science 10 or SCIE 030 must have been completed within the past 10 years. 

Academic Admission Requirement

1. After acceptance into the program, the following will be required before the first day of class:
    - Current CPR (Basic Life Support) Level C Certificate
    - First Aid Certificate (standard first aid, emergency first aid or occupational first aid)
    - Foodsafe Level 1 Certificate or equivalent 
    - Medical form completed by a physician indicating suitable physical and emotional health
    - Negative TB screening test 
    - Up-to-date immunizations (including Hepatitis B series; Diphtheria/Tetanus; Polio; Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Varicella, seasonal influenza, and Pertussis)
    - Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination 
    - N95 fit testing for proper respiratory mask fitting 
    - Criminal Record Check for working with children and vulnerable adults

Additional Academic Admission Requirement

1. Practice-education placements in the Program may be held at various regional locations beyond a student's home community. Thus, students should be prepared to travel for practice-education placements. Transportation and meal costs during practice-education experiences are the responsibility of the student.

2. If you do not have the above prerequisites or your courses are over ten years old, you can gain program entry by successfully completing appropriate assessments and/or upgrading courses. Feedback on the Assessments will be provided to help you make informed decisions about appropriate selection of upgrading courses. For more details, please contact a NLC advisor.

3. Students must have a computer that meets the minimum computer requirements. 

4. Appropriate attire and shoes are necessary for lab courses, clinical and preceptorship experiences. Students must purchase standardized program uniforms from the NLC Bookstore. 

5. Applicants wishing to transfer from another HCA program must NLC’s admission requirements. Applications for transfer credit will be reviewed on an individual basis. Transfer-based admission will be dependent on available space.

Admission Advice

For the September program entry: applications are open on October 1st
For the February program entry: applications are open on March 1st

Enrollment to this Program is limited. The selection of qualified applicants will be made on a first-come, first-qualified basis until the designated number of seats are full.

Northern Lights College

Health Care Assistant Certificate

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