As a result of a collaborative effort by unions, educators, employers, and the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry Advisory Committee, October 18th, 2011 was declared by the provincial government to be the first Health Care Assistant Day in British Columbia. Since then, it has been celebrated every year on that date.
The BC Care Providers Association extends its thanks to health care assistants (HCAs) across the province for their hard work in providing care to BC’s seniors. HCAs are a vital part of delivering frontline personal care in many settings, including residential care, assisted living, home support and hospitals. The term “health care assistant” is used broadly to include occupational titles such as residential care aides, community health workers, home support workers, personal care aides and personal support workers.
Becoming an HCA is a great career choice. The Government of Canada notes:
In recent years, the number of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates has increased sharply. Given the government’s health care priorities, the aging population and the increased severity of the condition of patients in private senior citizens’ homes and residential and extended-care facilities (CHSLD), the number of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates should continue to increase sharply over the next few years.
For more HCA labour market information, visit Service Canada’s website.
You can also learn more about Health Care Assistant Day by visiting the Hospital Employees’ Union website.
