BC HCA License: Government-Approved, Earn $29.83/Hour in Paid Co-op
Earn your HCA diploma in 49 weeks at Stenberg College, with an optional $29.83/hour paid co-op(22 weeks). Start a rewarding career in British Columbia.
Why Choose the HCA Program?
Canada’s aging population fuels demand for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) to provide compassionate care. Stenberg’s government-approved program, accredited by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry, prepares CA residents for impactful roles.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 49 weeks (incl. 16 weeks extracurricular) |
| Training | In-class, labs, clinicals |
| Co-op Pay | Optional 22 weeks, $29.83/hour (~$26,200) |
| Certification | BC Registry eligibility |
Who Can Join?
Check eligibility by age group:
Ages 19–25: Launch your career with Stenberg’s HCA program. You need a high school diploma, clear background checks, and English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 78).
Ages 26–35: Shift to a stable healthcare role. Qualify with a high school diploma, clean police and BC criminal checks, and English proficiency.
Ages 36–45: Find purpose in caregiving. Meet requirements with a high school diploma, clear checks, and English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 78).
Ages 46+: Embrace caregiving later in life. A high school diploma, clear background checks, and English proficiency ensure success.
Challenges: The IELTS 6.0 requirement may be tough for non-native speakers, but Stenberg offers language support workshops.
- Age: 19+
- Education: High school diploma
- Background: Clear police and BC criminal checks
- Language: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 78
What Will You Master?
Develop essential HCA skills:
- Build Trust: Connect emotionally to comfort clients, like calming an anxious resident.
- Promote Health: Manage cognitive and end-of-life care, such as supporting dementia patients.
- Ensure Mobility: Master safe transfers to aid mobility, ensuring client safety.
- Maintain Safety: Apply hygiene protocols to prevent infections in care settings.
Upon graduation, you will be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry, allowing you to work in publicly funded health care settings in B.C. .
How Is the Program Delivered?
Immerse yourself in hands-on training:
- Location: BC campuses
- Duration: 6 months, full-time
- Format: In-class with labs, clinicals
Face-to-face classes, paired with practical labs and clinical placements, ensure direct instructor guidance. Stenberg’s immersive approach prepares you for immediate career success.
How Do Graduates Make a Difference?
Meet HCA alumni who transformed lives:
Hannah C., 28
Hannah, a 28-year-old international student from Germany, found purpose through Sternberg’s cooperative program, earning $29.83 hourly. Placed in hospice care, she honed skills in emotional support and palliative care, comforting terminally ill patients. “This program gave me a mission,” she says, recalling how her presence uplifted an elderly woman’s final moments. Now, Hannah plans to specialize in end-of-life care.
James L., 35
James, 35, left retail for healthcare via Sternberg’s paid co-op. He mastered safe patient transport, learning to move patients with care. The gratitude of clients, like an elderly man’s heartfelt note, fueled his passion. “Sternberg changed my life’s path,” he reflects. Now a certified patient care technician, James thrives in a hospital setting.
Maria S., 50
Maria, a mature learner, skipped the co-op but thrived in 16 weeks of clinicals. She excels in assisted living, helping residents with daily tasks like dressing and meals. Her empathy transformed a care home’s atmosphere. “Stenberg opened new paths at my age,” she reflects.
What Careers Await?
HCA certification unlocks diverse BC roles:
- Assisted Living: Support daily activities for residents.
- Extended Care: Care for elderly in long-term facilities.
- Palliative Care: Provide compassionate end-of-life support.
- Home Health: Assist clients in their homes.
Per WorkBC,the health care and social assistance industry will continue to have the most job openings of any industry over the next decade due to an aging population. BC will need 10,000 health care and social assistance (HCAs) by 2030. Challenges include the workload, but Stenberg's career coaching can help. Graduates have the opportunity to receive a $6,500 scholarship and apply for advancement into LPN positions.
How to Get Started?
Enroll in three steps:
- Visit Stenberg’s international website
- Check program details
- Submit application with transcripts
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