Health Care Assistants: Alternative Careers
This guide will help you find the information you need to start working in British Columbia. You can use the menu buttons to move between sections of the guide.
In B.C., health care assistants (HCA) help people, especially older adults, who require basic nursing care. HCAs work in continuing care such as home support, adult day care and assisted living.
Although HCAs are not regulated in B.C. you must register with the B.C. Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry if you work for publicly-funded health care employers.
You may find that your international training and experience as a HCA are not immediately accepted in B.C. The skills you have already acquired (ability to work well with others, good communication skills, patience, compassion and experience assisting the elderly in daily living activities) can be used in these alternative careers:
- Home Support Workers / Residential Care Worker
- Hospital Service Worker
- Activity Aide / Recreation Therapy Aide
- Housekeeping Aide