Recent policy changes to B.C.’s health care assistant registrar will make it easier for nursing students to find employment in British Columbia’s health care sector. These changes are part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to source additional health care professionals as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Publicly announced on March 27th, 2020, the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry has created a new streamlined enrollment process for B.C. nursing students seeking employment as care aides. Registration is required for all health care assistants (HCAs) employed in B.C.’s publicly funded seniors care sector.
The Registry has outlined the following temporary changes to the registration process:
- Unofficial transcripts are being accepted;
- Character reference letters are being waived; and
- Temporary registration will be possible for students not meeting criteria for full registration.
Nursing students interested in registering as health care assistants in B.C. are directed to contact the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry, and follow the new registration process, which can be found here. Eligible students must have completed the HCA core competencies.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has committed to working with public post-secondary institutions to source nursing students into health care assistant roles, prioritizing care settings with immediate need for care staff.
Nursing students enrolled at any of the private post-secondary institutions are asked to contact Hayley Morrin at hayley@bccare.ca for placement in the seniors’ care sector throughout British Columbia.
Private colleges in BC offering nursing programs include:
- Canadian Health Care Academy
- CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care
- Discovery Community College
- Sprott Shaw College
- Stenberg College
- Vancouver Career College
Currently, no policy changes have been announced to expedite the credential recognition and enrollment process for Internationally Educated Nurses seeking employment as HCAs. BCCPA will continue to advocate for change on their behalf, citing the need for workers amid the coronavirus response.
