A new expedited pathway created by the Province of B.C. is making it easier and faster for seniors’ care providers to hire Canadian-trained out-of-province care aides.
Before the pathway came into effect on January 15th, 2020, health care assistants trained outside the province were required to complete a skills assessment exam, known as the Nursing Community Assessment Services (NCAS). The exam, which cost up to $800 for applicants and could only be taken in Vancouver, added unnecessary barriers for workers seeking employment in B.C.
The new process will allow qualified health care assistants to register with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry, which is a requirement for all health care assistants who want to work for any of B.C.’s publicly subsidized health care employers.
Canadian-trained care aides will be eligible to enroll in a standardized orientation program delivered by their employer. The orientation must address four key areas: violence prevention, safe handling, infection control, and recognizing and reporting elder abuse. Within six months of becoming registered, workers will also be required to complete the HCA Introduction to Practice course, offered by several career colleges in B.C.
Health care assistants are known by many job titles in Canada. Workers may be eligible for the new expedited pathway if they completed one of the following programs in other provinces:
- Health care aide (Alberta and Manitoba)
- Continuing care assistant (Saskatchewan)
- Personal support worker (Ontario, New Brunswick and Northwest Territories)
- Home and continuing care worker (Nunavut)
- Continuing care assistant (Nova Scotia)
- Resident care worker (P.E.I)
In order to demonstrate eligibility for the pathway, workers will be required to provide the following documentation to the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry:
- English language proficiency;
- Proof of graduation from an HCA education program (certificate/ official transcript) or equivalent;
- Official documentation (confirm name and identity);
- Resume (formatted chronologically); and
- Competency letter from a previous clinical supervisor (experienced HCAs) or education program clinical instructor (recent graduates).
This new pathway is optional for employers and workers. Employers not wishing to deliver the standardized orientation will only be permitted to hire health care assistants actively registered with the BC Care Aide Registry.
Further details regarding the pathway can be found at www.cachwr.bc.ca.
