English - Grade 11
- Updated on May 5, 2026
☰ Program Description
The Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program is designed to support Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and other regulated healthcare professionals from outside British Columbia in transitioning to the role of a Health Care Assistant (HCA). Through this pathway, students gain the knowledge, resources, and practical experience needed to understand BC healthcare requirements and advance their healthcare careers.
Program Highlights
- Designed for: Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and other regulated healthcare professionals from outside British Columbia.
- Career Pathway: Supports the transition from a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to a Health Care Assistant (HCA) in British Columbia.
- Licensing Guidance: Provides information, resources, and guidance to help students understand BC licensing requirements and the registration process.
- Professional Designation: Assists students who are not currently licensed as a healthcare aide or equivalent in becoming eligible to obtain their professional designation.
- Practical Experience: Students requesting a practicum may complete up to 80 hours (4 weeks) of supervised training in BC healthcare facilities.
- Provincially Recognized Programs: Apex Community College partners with licensed and accredited Canadian institutions to provide access to Health Care Assistant (HCA), Personal Support Worker (PSW), and equivalent healthcare programs.
- Who This Program Is For: Intended for students who have already started the registration process for a Personal Support Worker program and have received their professional designation.
- Important Note: This program is not approved by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
- Fee Information: Fees charged by partnered institutions are separate from the tuition and fees collected by Apex Community College.
Career Occupation (if applicable)
Personal Support Worker (Ontario), Health Care Assistant (British Columbia) * this program is designed to assist students who are already in the process of the registration of the Personal Support Worker program and have received their professional certifications
✓ Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway, applicants must meet the following requirements before acceptance.
Academic Requirements
- Proof of Grade 12 completion (or equivalent), or
- Mature student status (19 years of age or older).
English Language Competency Requirements
Applicants must provide proof of meeting the Health Care Assistant (HCA) Program Entry – English Language Competency Requirements.
Applicants with 3 Years of Full-Time Instruction in English*
Provide one of the following:
- Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of C.
- College English course determined to be equivalent to Grade 10 English (or higher) with a minimum grade of C.
- ACCUPLACER Next Generation:
- Reading: 230
- Writing: 230
- WritePlacer: 4
Applicants with Less Than 3 Years of Full-Time Instruction in English*
Provide results from one of the following approved English language proficiency tests:
| Accepted Test | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| CLBPT / CLBPT Remote (taken within the last year) | Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6 |
| CELPIP General / CELPIP Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, Writing 6 |
| IELTS Academic, IELTS General, or IELTS Academic Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 6.0, minimum 6.0 in Listening & Speaking, 5.5 in Reading & Writing |
| CAEL / CAEL Online (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 60, with no section below 50 |
| TOEFL iBT / TOEFL iBT Home Edition (taken within the last 2 years) | Overall 76, minimum 20 in Listening & Speaking, 18 in Reading & Writing |
Three years of full-time instruction in English refers to secondary (Grade 8 onward) and/or post-secondary education completed at a recognized institution in an Approved English-Speaking Country. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not considered.
International Student Requirement
- International applicants must provide a clear police certificate from their country of origin before program admission.
Additional Accepted English Qualifications
The following may also be accepted, where applicable:
- CELBAN (taken within the last 2 years):
- Speaking 7
- Listening 7
- Reading 6
- Writing 6
- LINC Program CLB Report Card indicating:
- Completing: CLB 7 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
- Recommended Class Placement: CLB 8 in Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
Health Declaration
Applicants must submit a completed Health Declaration confirming that they:
- Understand the role of a Health Care Assistant (HCA).
- Are prepared to learn and practice HCA skills and competencies.
- Acknowledge that the declaration may also be used to identify any learning needs before acceptance.
Important: All required documents and supporting evidence must be submitted before acceptance into the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program.
◉ Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the Personal Support Worker – Health Care Assistant (HCA) Pathway program, students will have developed the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to provide safe, professional, and person-centred care in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates will be prepared to support clients and families while contributing effectively as members of the healthcare team.
- Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes, respects, and responds to the uniqueness, dignity, and individual needs of each client.
- Apply an informed problem-solving approach to deliver care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and their families.
- Support clients experiencing complex health challenges by providing compassionate, safe, and appropriate Health Care Assistant (HCA) services based on individual care needs.
- Provide person-centred support for clients with cognitive and/or mental health challenges while promoting respect, safety, and quality of life.
- Collaborate effectively with healthcare team members by developing positive working relationships and contributing to shared care goals within healthcare environments.
- Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients, families, and healthcare professionals across diverse community and facility care settings.
- Deliver personal care and assistance safely, competently, and efficiently while following professional standards and healthcare practices.
- Recognize and respond to personal learning, self-development, and health enhancement needs to support continuous professional growth as a healthcare provider.
- Demonstrate a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional approach when performing the role of a Personal Support Worker (PSW) and Health Care Assistant (HCA).
Program Skills and Outcomes
Through this HCA pathway program, students develop essential skills in person-centred healthcare, client support, communication, teamwork, professional practice, and safe care delivery, preparing them for successful roles in British Columbia’s healthcare sector.
🗹 Additional Information
Method(s) of Evaluation*
Students will be evaluated through a combination of assessments, including:
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
- Classroom Participation
Delivery Method(s)
The program is delivered through the following methods:
In-Class Instruction:
100% of instructional hours are delivered in a classroom or learning environment where instructors and students share the same physical space. Students participate in face-to-face instruction, discussions, and practical learning activities.
Distance Education:
100% of instructional hours, excluding work experience hours (if applicable), are delivered remotely from a B.C. location through online learning platforms.
Online Learning Format (if applicable):
Online instruction is delivered through synchronous learning , where students attend virtual classes in real time with instructors and classmates
➤ Apply Now
Key Information
- Start Date: Continuous Intakes
- Program Duration: 600 Hours | 20 Weeks
- Homework Hours: 100 Hours
-
Total Program Fees: $9,000 (with practicum), $8,000 (without practicum)
Fees to Apex Community College:
$2,500 Tuition, $1,000 Materials (only for practicum), $500 Textbooks
Fees to Partner Colleges $5,000
- Delivery Method(s): In-class instruction, Hybrid delivery, Distance education