Learn more about stages involved in training and onboarding, working as a health care support worker and becoming a community health worker.
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 in home support and receive paid training to become a community health worker 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 the community with home support.
- Stage three: Complete post-secondary training to become a community health worker and work for 12-months as part of your Return of Service agreement.
From your original application to the HCAP program, completing your workplace training and onboarding, to your post-secondary training and your Return of Service work as a community health worker, it will take approximately 20 months to complete the program.
View our infographic or watch video below to learn more about the journey to becoming a community health worker.
You will be paid $24.80 per hour when you are working as a health care support worker. When you attend school, you are paid a stipend of $930.00 per week if you are studying full-time and the amount is pro-rated if you are studying part-time. (current as of April 2024)
Obligations as a participant of the Health Care Access Program:
- Complete regional and local orientation.
- Work shifts with CHW Mentor.
- Start post-secondary training as assigned.
- Work with their employer during school breaks.
- Participate in clinical placement.
- Complete post-secondary training in the community health worker program.
- Register with B.C. Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry to formally become a community health worker.
- Attend return of service interview with home support team. Proof of registry as a community health worker will be provided at this time.
- Fulfilling the Return of Service agreement.