Overview
The program is designed to prepare students for entry level non-clinical employment opportunities in long-term and home care sectors and includes training in professionalism, client and family centred care, communication, supportive assistance, and safety/infection control.
Future Skills Grant Eligibility
Are you a domestic student currently residing in British Columbia?
The Future Skills Grant program may be able to cover your tuition and other eligible fees. Please check our website to determine your eligibility.
All other students may still apply for this program through the Register Now button.
Updated: August 06, 2024
What you will learn
- Understand your role within the interprofessional team and acquire the background information and skills needed to provide professional, client-centred assistance.
- Demonstrate respect for the clients and families you work with by providing client- and family-centred supports and gain the background information and skills to provide supportive, client-centred care.
- Demonstrate inclusive practice skills when interacting with clients, families, and other interprofessional team members and gain the background information, skills, and effective communication techniques to provide inclusive, client-centred support.
- Identify the skills required to provide personal support to clients and practice safe and supportive assistance to promote client independence.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the chain of infection related to disease and transmission and identify and respond to safety hazards and unsafe situations when dealing with your clients.
- Demonstrate effective self-marketing and job search skills.
What to expect
The Supportive Care Assistant program is divided into two components of integrated training. The theory component is delivered through lectures, virtual synchronous and asynchronous seminars, group work, student presentations and assessments. Students apply the theory component through case simulations, exercises, role practice, and 3 to 4 weeks of unpaid work experience placements.
Admission requirements
- BC secondary school graduation or CLB level 8 or equivalent.
- Co-requisites:
- Evidence of a negative tuberculin (TB) test, taken no more than six months prior to the date of application (or evidence of appropriate follow-up if the test was positive).
- Proof of meeting current immunization/vaccination requirements as per health care organization policies and/or guidelines (or signed vaccination exemption form, except TB). Applicants are advised that if they are unable to provide proof of immunization or immunity, they may be restricted or even excluded from practice settings based on the health facility or health authority policies and procedures for non-immunized students on placement.
- A clear criminal record check from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. VCC will provide accepted applicants with instructions and forms to submit to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline by which the College must receive the clearance letter.
Recommended Characteristics
- Interest in a career in health care.
- Experience and comfort with technology, including internet browsers, Zoom, email, etc.
- Desire to work with older adults and other people requiring assistance.
- Effective communication and strong interpersonal skills.
- Warm, friendly, and empowering personality.
- Ability and interest in working with others and as a member of a team.
- Honest, trustworthy, compassionate with demonstrated empathy, resilience, and sensitivity.
- Comfortable with performing housekeeping tasks including cleaning, disinfecting, making beds, etc.
Fees and other costs
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,489 | |
| College initiative | $11 | |
| Total | $3,500 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.