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

The Health Care Assistant program at KPU is a full-time certificate program that equips students with the skills and values needed to provide care in diverse health care settings. It includes hands-on training through labs and community placements, culminating in a practicum in an acute care environment. Graduates are prepared to support adults with complex health needs and can register with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry. In response to COVID-19, KPU has partnered with the Province of British Columbia to offer reserved seats through the Health Career Access program. Applicants can either pursue this government-supported pathway or apply directly to KPU through the standard admissions process.

Health Care Assistant Certificate

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

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1. Meet applicant category (high school, mature student, transfer student, etc.) 
2. English Studies 12 (C+) or [equivalent](https://calendar.kpu.ca/admissions/english-proficiency-requirements/)

**Option A**: If you are educated in an English-speaking environment for 7 nonconsecutive years of elementary or secondary school or 3 consecutive years of secondary or post- secondary school. You need one of:
   - English 10 (C) or equivalent
   - Accuplacer Test: Reading (230), Writing (230), WritePlacer 4, taken within the last year

**Option B**: If you are not educated in an English-speaking environment for 7 non-consecutive years of elementary or secondary school or 3 consecutive years of secondary or post- secondary school. You need one of:
   - English 10 (C)
   - TOEFL iBT score = at least 76 overall, with no sub score less than 20 in Speaking and Listening,18 in Reading and Writing (taken within the last two years)
   - IELTS Academic score = at least overall band 6.0, with 6.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 5.5 in Reading and Writing (taken within the last two years)
   - Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) score = at least 60 overall, with no sub score less than 50 (taken within the last two years)
   - Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT): Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6 (taken within the last year)

Academic Admission Requirement

1. To receive a conditional offer of admission and before final admission is granted, you need:
    - Food Safe Level I 
    - Standard First-Aid Certificate
    - Canadian CPR Level C
    - An acceptable Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Program (within 6 months prior to the start of the program)

2. Applicants who have lived outside of Canada as an adult are required to secure a Criminal Record Search with the Vulnerable Sector from their country of origin. Please contact the Office of Admissions for further direction on obtaining your criminal record check.

3. Immunization Record Form reflecting required immunizations as per Practice Education Guidelines for BC. Note: Practice Education Guidelines (PEG) for BC outline immunizations for vaccine preventable communicable diseases required by students for participation in practice experiences. KPU Faculty of Health is required to comply with these requirements. Students that are unvaccinated may not be able to be accepted into the program. Students who are accepted into the program will also be required to maintain immunizations as per the PEG.
4. Students in the program are required to perform a variety of cognitive, emotional and psychomotor skills safely and knowledgeably. 

Additional Academic Admission Requirement

Please note that we are currently not accepting direct applications for our Health Care Assistant program. If you are interested in studying this program at KPU, you will need to apply and qualify through Fraser Health first.

Once you are qualified, Fraser Health will send us your name to start the program, and we will assist you with your next steps.


Admission Advice

This is a limited intake program. Limited intake programs are not offered every semester. Please check the academic calendar to verify when this program is being offered.

Applications open for:

Fall semester in October
Spring semester in February

Note: Select programs may extend the application deadline, space permitting.

When you are ready to apply, use our [pre-application checklist](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/go/resources) to make sure you have everything you need, and visit our [How-to guides page](https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/help) for more information.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Health Care Assistant Certificate

Overview

Curious where your education can lead you? Have a dream job and unsure how to get there?