Learn more about stages involved in training and onboarding, working as a health care support worker and becoming a health care assistant.
The Health Career Access Program is a paid work and training initiative for individuals seeking an entry point to employment in health care. New hires will start as a health care support worker providing non-direct care at a long-term care home (LTC) or assisted living facility (AL) and receive paid training to become a health care assistant upon successful completion of the program.
The Health Career Access Program happens in three stages:
- Stage one: Join the program as a health care support worker.
- Stage two: Complete basic workplace training and onboarding while working in a long term care or assisted living facility.
- Stage three: Complete post-secondary training to become a health care assistant and work for 12-months as part of your Return of Service agreement.
From your original application to the HCAP program, it will take approximately 12-18 months to complete your onboarding, training, and post-secondary education. This will be followed by a one year return of service.
You will be paid $23.83 per hour when you are working as a Health care support worker. When you attend school, you are paid a stipend of $893.63 per week. (current as of April 2023)
Obligations as a participant of the Health Career Access Program:
- Complete all pre-requisites for post-secondary institutions, including those listed in Step 6 here, as well as any requested by your school.
- Complete post-secondary training as assigned.
- Work with their employer during non-educational days (up to 37.5 hrs/week) and during school breaks.
- Register with B.C. Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry to formally become a health care assistant.
- Apply for postings, provide proof of registry as a health care assistant, fulfilling the Return of Service agreement.