New year, new career in health care
Okanagan College Media Release
Kelowna residents considering a change in the new year can start working towards a sought-after health care career this January.
The next intake of Okanagan College’s Health Care Assistant program is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020, giving students in Kelowna direct access to training for one of the most in-demand positions in B.C.
“Now is a great time to become a health care assistant,” says Cassandra Ritchie, Health Care Assistant Recruiter, Interior Health.
“The need for health care assistants within the Interior Health region is growing. There are many opportunities for individuals who have this training. Whether you want to work in a team environment in long-term care or one-on-one with clients in home support, it is a great career choice for those who enjoy working closely with others, and those who like making a positive impact on the lives of others.”
According to WorkBC, health care assistants have been identified as a priority occupation for the B.C. Ministry of Health. Average employment growth rates in this field continue to rise with 19,210 job openings expected within in the next ten years. This demand is anticipated to increase even more after the Government of B.C. announced funding to increase staffing levels in residential care homes for seniors, which aims to fund more than 900 health care assistants by 2021.
“We’re hearing from our industry partners that employers in the Okanagan are desperate for health care assistants. Students will be making a living wage right out of school, in a profession that offers a variety of shifts, making it easy to find work that best fits their lives,” says Lisa Kraft, Associate Dean of Science Technology and Health for Okanagan College.
“Most importantly, health care assistants find their work extremely rewarding. Graduates often tell us how much they appreciate the opportunity to have a significant impact on the quality of life for people in care.”
An information night for people to learn more about the Health Care Assistant program and field will be held on Wed, Nov. 13 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Room E103 in the Centre for Learning building at the Kelowna campus, 1000 K.L.O Rd.
The six-month intensive program runs for 26 weeks and will feature four months of classroom instruction and two months of hands-on practicum for students to learn within the health-care environment.
For more information and to apply, visit okanagan.bc.ca/hca.
Kelowna residents considering a change in the new year can start working towards a sought-after health care career this January.
The next intake of Okanagan College’s Health Care Assistant program is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020, giving students in Kelowna direct access to training for one of the most in-demand positions in B.C.
“Now is a great time to become a health care assistant,” says Cassandra Ritchie, Health Care Assistant Recruiter, Interior Health.
“The need for health care assistants within the Interior Health region is growing. There are many opportunities for individuals who have this training. Whether you want to work in a team environment in long-term care or one-on-one with clients in home support, it is a great career choice for those who enjoy working closely with others, and those who like making a positive impact on the lives of others.”
According to WorkBC, health care assistants have been identified as a priority occupation for the B.C. Ministry of Health. Average employment growth rates in this field continue to rise with 19,210 job openings expected within in the next ten years. This demand is anticipated to increase even more after the Government of B.C. announced funding to increase staffing levels in residential care homes for seniors, which aims to fund more than 900 health care assistants by 2021.
“We’re hearing from our industry partners that employers in the Okanagan are desperate for health care assistants. Students will be making a living wage right out of school, in a profession that offers a variety of shifts, making it easy to find work that best fits their lives,” says Lisa Kraft, Associate Dean of Science Technology and Health for Okanagan College.
“Most importantly, health care assistants find their work extremely rewarding. Graduates often tell us how much they appreciate the opportunity to have a significant impact on the quality of life for people in care.”
An information night for people to learn more about the Health Care Assistant program and field will be held on Wed, Nov. 13 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Room E103 in the Centre for Learning building at the Kelowna campus, 1000 K.L.O Rd.
The six-month intensive program runs for 26 weeks and will feature four months of classroom instruction and two months of hands-on practicum for students to learn within the health-care environment.
For more information and to apply, visit okanagan.bc.ca/hca.
