Mental Health Care Assistant

Completion Requirements

A grade of C+ is required in all theory courses (including the Capstone Project) and a grade of CR in all lab and practicum courses to be awarded the MHCA Diploma.

• General Academic admission requirements
• Successful completion of English 12 or equivalent
• Meet the HCA Minimum Program Entry Requirements.
• Completion of the VIU Mental Health Care Assistant Program's English Competency Self-Declaration form
• A police certificate (Criminal Record Check) from country of origin
• Completion of a Personal Profile form
• Interview with program faculty

Notes on Admission

• Two criminal record checks are required for this program. Prior to program start, successful applicants must submit a police certificate (Criminal Record Check) from country of origin. Once in Canada an additional criminal record check done under the Criminal Records Review Act is required prior to fieldwork, practicums or clinical practice.
• Fieldwork, practicums, or clinical practice will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students regarding the Criminal Record Check that needs to be done once in Canada. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act.
• Additional prerequisites required prior to practice experience: 
  • Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
  • Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
  • Completion of Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (LearningHub)

Additional Student Requirements

Immunizations

• A completed Immunization Requirements Form (can be done in home country or in Canada prior to clinical).
• Proof of COVID 19 vaccines (vaccine passport).

Additional Training

• Proof of WHMIS training
• Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
• Standard First Aid certificate (must include CPR Level "C")

Students who successfully complete all VIU’s Health Care Assistant Certificate program requirements may apply to the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry to be eligible to work as a Health Care Assistant in British Columbia while continuing the MHCA Diploma program.

Requirements to Attend Clinical

The program assistant will work with the applicants to confirm any outstanding mandatory immunizations and/or courses required and will assist with scheduling.

Recommended Personal Characteristics

Before applying for this program, students should learn as much as possible about this career. The following traits are critical for student success:

• sensitivity to the needs of others
• trustworthiness, integrity, flexibility
• ability to perform physically demanding tasks within a variety of workplaces
• ability to speak confidently with people of all ages
• ability to pay close attention to detail
• ability to work quickly with accuracy and efficiency
• ability to manage time effectively and handle responsibility
• ability to problem-solve effectively in a limited time span
• excellent oral and personal hygiene
• willingness to show commitment to program by regular attendance
• ability to be punctual on a consistent basis
• ability to participate in own learning by displaying preparedness for class and clinical settings
• ability to perform basic home management and cooking skills

International