Health care assistants

Health care assistants (HCAs), also known as care aides and community health workers, are important members of the health care team. They are frontline care providers who support older adults, people living with disabilities, and others needing short- or long-term care.

About health care assistants

Health care assistants work in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care homes, assisted living, and in people’s own homes. Their work supports people’s dignity, comfort, and independence.

To be eligible to work as a health care assistant in any public health care setting in BC, applicants must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

  • Bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Moving safely (ex. helping someone get out of bed)
  • Preparing meals and assisting with feeding
  • Helping with medication reminders
  • Supporting social and emotional well-being
  • Reporting changes in a client’s health or behaviour to nurses or supervisors
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To work as a health care assistant in any public health care setting in B.C. you must:

Not yet trained to work in health care? B.C.’s Health Career Access Program provides a path for Canadian citizens and permanent residents with little to no experience to get hired and receive paid training as part of their employment. You’ll start as a health care support worker and receive paid training that leads to full qualification as a health care assistant within one year. Learn more about training.

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There are many opportunities for health care assistants, also known as care aides and community health workers, across the province in a variety of care settings including:

  • Long-term care homes
  • Assisted living residences
  • Home and community care
  • Hospitals

Please visit the explore jobs page to discover opportunities across British Columbia’s public health authority employers. 

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British Columbia’s publicly funded health authorities offer comprehensive compensation packages for regular-status employees, including employer-paid benefits.

  • Wages: $27.92–$29.60 CAD per hour (as of April 1, 2024), plus applicable shift premiums, depending on the health authority/employer.
  • Paid vacation time: 4 weeks per year, after first year of employment, depending on the health authority/employer.
  • Defined Benefit Public Pension Plan (Municipal or Public Service Pension Plan) 
  • BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)  
  • Extended health care  
  • Dental coverage   
  • Life insurance  
  • Short-term and long-term disability
  • Employee and Family Assistance Plan
  • Other benefits: such as maternity, paternity and adoption leaves 
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Please visit the Choose2Care website for more information for health care assistants trained outside of B.C.

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Please visit the Choose2Care website for more information for internationally educated/trained health care assistants.

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B.C. news for health care assistants

More trained workers will improve mental-health, addictions care in B.C.

People looking for skills training and job opportunities in mental-health and addictions care are now able to access free education and paid work experience in the sector.

Learn more about the Health Career Access Program (HCAP) expansion

Province expands health-care workforce and increases patient access

More people are getting care faster and closer to home, and the health-care workforce is better supported as the Province makes significant progress on expanding the health-care workforce and strengthening B.C.’s public health-care system.

Learn more about B.C.’s efforts to expand the health-care workforce

New act streamlines credential recognition for internationally trained professionals

British Columbians will soon benefit from internationally trained professionals having an easier path to working in their chosen careers and filling crucial skills shortages as the International Credentials Recognition Act received royal assent on Nov. 8, 2023.

Learn more about improvements to credential recognition

Explore careers with B.C.’s public health employers

British Columbia’s health authorities offer outstanding and diverse opportunities, to not only build your career, but to forge your own lifestyle.

Explore job opportunities today