At Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, Canada, Health Care Assistant Certificate is offered as a certificate in Health Sciences programme. The programme runs for 24 weeks, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 3,100 per total for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Certificate
Field:Health Sciences
Duration: 24 weeks
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 3,100 / total
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Health Care Assistant Certificate combines in-class instruction with hands-on experience in nursing labs and clinical instruction that is uniquely enriched with Aboriginal ways of knowing and being. The major focus is in providing care for people experiencing changes in their functional abilities. Upon graduation you find employment opportunities working in complex care facilities, extended care units, acute care, home support agencies and residential settings.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: VIU's general Trades admission requirements apply, plus successful completion of English 12 or equivalent, and you must meet the Minimum HCA Program Entry Requirements. You also submit VIU's Health Care Assistant English Competency Self-Declaration form and a Personal Profile form, and attend an interview with programme faculty.
Enrolment is limited and meeting the minimums does not guarantee admission; preference may be given to applicants with 30 or more hours of volunteer service in a long-term care setting. Indigenous applicants may apply for reserved seats through the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form. Practicum and clinical placements require a satisfactory criminal record check processed by the Ministry under the Criminal Records Review Act; an RCMP check does not satisfy the Act.
Required by the first day of classes: a completed Immunization Requirements Form, proof of WHMIS training, a Foodsafe Level I certificate, and a Standard First Aid certificate that includes CPR Level "C". Before practice experience you must also finish three LearningHub courses — the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC e-learning modules, Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse, and the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO).
VIU states this programme is not currently open to international students.
Application Details
Start Date:Domestic (Canadian) applicants: 8 September 2026 (Fall intake) (Cowichan); 1 March 2027 (Spring intake) (Nanaimo); 7 September 2027 (Fall intake) (tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)).
Application Deadline:Domestic (Canadian) applicants: applications accepted on an ongoing basis for the 8 September 2026 (Fall) start (Cowichan); applications accepted on an ongoing basis for the 1 March 2027 (Spring) start (Nanaimo); applications accepted on an ongoing basis for the 7 September 2027 (Fall) start (tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)). Dates are VIU's published application window for this program (as listed September 2026) and can change; apply through EducationPlannerBC. VIU states this program is not currently open to international students.
