Supportive Care Assistant Micro-credential
The Supportive Care Assistant Program is a short-term training opportunity designed to prepare individuals for supportive roles in long-term care environments. Over the course of several weeks, learners build essential skills through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience in non-clinical settings. The program emphasizes core topics such as workplace conduct, effective communication, teamwork in healthcare, and inclusive care practices. Learners also explore strategies for assisting clients and families, as well as approaches to maintaining a safe and hygienic care environment. A work placement component allows learners to apply their learning in real-world settings, helping them build confidence and gain experience while contributing to their communities in a meaningful way.
*Please Note: This program is not equivalent to, or recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant Program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
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Credential
Micro-Credential
Delivery options
Part-Time
Tuition and fees
Domestic students
2025-26: $3,341
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Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The Supportive Care Assistant Program is a 190-hour micro-credential designed to rapidly train new workers for the long-term care sector. Supportive Care Assistants work within health care teams to support clients. Learners complete six weeks of training followed by a paid non-clinical work experience placement. In their placements, learners perform non-clinical activities to support those working and those living in long-term care. The program allows learners to discover a new career, gain work experience and make a difference in their community.
Learners are immersed in topics such as professionalism, their role within the interprofessional team, respect for clients and families, and providing client and family-centered supports. Learners also study inclusive practice skills when interacting with clients, families, and interprofessional team members; how to provide personal support assistance techniques; and the chain of infection as it relates to disease transmission and prevention.
This program has not been scheduled. Contact askoc@okanagan.bc.ca for more information.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements:
- BC secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
Co-requisites:
- Evidence of a negative tuberculin (TB) test, taken no more than six months prior to the date of application (or evidence of appropriate follow-up if the test was positive).
- Proof of meeting current immunization/vaccination requirements as per health care organization policies and/or 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.
- A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's Admissions will provide applicants with instructions to submit the request 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 may result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.
Additional information
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