Admission Requirements

• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 

• 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.

English requirements:

All HCA program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency (English Competency Self Declaration Form). Domestic and/or international applicants who are non-native English speakers will need to take a standardized proficiency assessment to confirm communicative competency in all four language skills areas (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

Domestic and/or international applicants:

Native English speakers requirement:

English 10 or equivalent;

Evidence of one of the following:

1. Proof of completion of Grade 10 English; or
2. College courses determined to be equivalent to completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. Applicants must produce transcripts as evidence of completion. A minimum of a C grade is acceptable.
3. Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT): Reading Comprehension 35/50, Spelling 23/32
4. Language Placement Index (LPI): The three individual scores (Sentence Structure, English Usage, and Reading Comprehension) must total a minimum of 20, out of a maximum possible score of 40. Essay level of 4, with a minimum essay score of 24/40
5. Accuplacer: Grade 10 level or higher Recommended Cut Scores*: Reading Comprehension 60, Sentences Skill 55, Writeplacer 4

Non-Native English speakers requirement:

Evidence of one of the following test scores:

1. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): test must be within the last two years, IBT only -- Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General -- test must be within the last two years: Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 5.5 in Reading and Writing
3. Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT): test must be within the last year : Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6 - Note: a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted.
4. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Academic or General -- Academic: Aggregate score of 4L or better, with 4L or better in Speaking and Listening and 3H or better in Reading and Writing. General: CELPIP 7 or better in Speaking and Listening and CELPIP 6 in Reading and Writing
5. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50

*educational institutions may conduct their own predictive validity studies to confirm appropriate cut scores

Other admission and pre-practice requirements:

• It is recommended that students also complete a Grade 11 Science or ABE Science at the 70 or 80 Level.

• Applicants must provide evidence of successful completion of a Red Cross Standard First Aid or St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid that includes Basic Life Support, CPR Level C no more than 12 months before admission.

• A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's admission offices will provide applicants with instructions and forms for applicants to submit to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline will result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.

• Applicants must provide evidence of a negative tuberculin test, taken no more than six months before the date of application (or evidence of appropriate follow-up if the test was positive.)

• Applicants must have successfully completed the provincially-approved FOODSAFE training program.
  
  
• Successful completion of all the B.C. Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC) including the 8-hour in-person classroom course.

• Proof of meeting current immunizations I vaccinations as per health care organization policies I 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. This information will be collected on the first day of class by the instructor.

• Attendance at a program orientation day is strongly recommended. Applicants will be notified of the exact date.

• Applicants are advised that students in this program engage actively in laboratory practice, acting both as patient/client and as caregiver in simulated situations. Notwithstanding all specific program prerequisites, Okanagan College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant when, in the opinion of OC, there is sufficient and substantiated evidence, medical or otherwise, to conclude that by granting admission OC would jeopardize the safety of clients under student care or would otherwise be negligent in providing for the safety and well-being of clients, agency staff or other students.

Program Outline

Additional Information

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