Employment
Are you ready to begin your career as a Health Care Assistant? There are many opportunities for you and your family in beautiful British Columbia. Learn more about BC’s communities, both urban and rural, here.
BC Health Authorities
The Ministry of Health works with BC’s health authorities to provide quality, appropriate, and timely health services to British Columbians. There are eight health authorities across BC. You can view a map of the regions they serve here.
Below you will find links to each health authority’s job boards, which include available Health Care Assistant vacancies. For those health authorities you are interested in, create a profile on their website and apply today!
Visit this BC health authority application guide for an overview of the process and tips on creating a resume and cover letter.
Please note: Choose2Care.ca and Health Match BC are not direct employers of Health Care Assistants. Accordingly, we do not issue offers of employment to HCAs (or those considering the HCA profession) directly or on behalf of our provincial employer partners. Please refer to the information below that includes a list of HCA employers in BC. If you have any questions regarding an offer of employment, please contact the employer directly or email us at hca@choose2care.ca.
Publicly Funded Employers
First Nations Health
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada. FNHA is dedicated to transforming the health and well-being of BC’s First Nations and Aboriginal people by dramatically changing health care services. Learn more.
Fraser Health
Fraser Health delivers a wide range of healthcare services to more than 1.8 million people living in communities stretching from Burnaby to White Rock to Hope. Fraser Health has over 26,000 employees, 2,900 physicians, and more than 6,000 volunteers providing services and support to their patients, residents, and clients. Learn more.
Interior Health
Interior Health is the publicly funded healthcare provider in the Southern Interior of British Columbia encompassing the Okanagan, Kootenay, and Thompson Cariboo Shuswap regions. Come live, work, and play where others only vacation! Learn more.
Island Health
Island Health provides public healthcare services to approximately 800,000 residents throughout their region. It is the largest employer on Vancouver Island with over 21,500 employees, 1,900 physician partners, and 6,500 volunteers.
Island Health strives to create work environments that support and attract workers with passion, professionalism, and dedication that will help them provide the highest quality of patient care.
For more information about Community Health Worker opportunities, click here.
Northern Health
Northern Health leads the way in promoting health and providing health services for northern and rural populations. Acquiring and retaining high-quality talent is a priority for the organization’s success. Their vision is to build a strong primary healthcare system to create a dynamic work environment. Northern Health provides health services to 300,000 people over an area of 600,000 square kilometres in the northern region of British Columbia. Learn more.
Providence Health Care
Providence Health Care is a Catholic healthcare provider and denominational affiliate of Vancouver Coastal Health. They partner with the Provincial Health Services Authority and the University of British Columbia to provide services to residents of the Vancouver Coastal region and specialty services to residents across British Columbia. Learn more.
Provincial Health Services Authority
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, coordinates, and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care province-wide. PHSA programs provide care and services through specialized hospitals and centres such as BC Children’s Hospital and BC Cancer. PHSA is also responsible for specialized health services delivered across BC in collaboration with regional health authorities, such as cardiac, trauma, perinatal, and stroke services. Through BC Emergency Health Services, PHSA oversees the BC Ambulance Service and Patient Transfer Network. Learn more.
Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) delivers services to more than one million BC residents living in Vancouver, Vancouver’s North Shore, Richmond, the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, Sunshine Coast, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, the Central Coast, and surrounding areas. The range of jobs and specialties place VCH at the forefront of career destinations for many healthcare professionals. VCH promotes better health for their communities through innovation and exceptional care. Learn more about Care Aide positions. Learn more about Community Health Worker positions.
Private Employers
In addition to opportunities with health authorities, jobs are available with private employers. Check out these organizations’ job boards for postings.
BC Care Providers Association
BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is the leading voice representing non-government operators providing seniors’ living and wellness service in British Columbia in long-term care, assisted living, independent living, and home health services. BCCPA’s membership includes over 350 organizations delivering these services, as well as commercial and associate members. Learn more.
BC Senior Living Association
The British Columbia Senior Living Association (BCSLA) is a voluntary, membership-driven organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the best interests of its members, which include the owners and operators of independent and assisted-living communities in BC. Learn more.
Health Career Access Program (HCAP)
This program provides a path for applicants with no healthcare experience to get hired and receive paid health-care assistant training as part of their employment. For more information, visit our HCAP page.
If you are interested in participating in this program, your first step is to: Submit an Expression of Interest Now.
Qualified applicants will be invited to apply for Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) positions with employers in their preferred region or community.
Other Opportunities
If you are looking to gain experience working on a healthcare team while you are completing your education or re-credentialing, contact your local health authority or private employers to find out if they offer volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities
Organizations deeply value the contribution of volunteers. Opportunities range from emergency room, adult day centres, patient support, friendly visiting, meal support, and more.
Benefits of volunteering:
- Learn and practice working as part of a healthcare team
- Enhance your healthcare experience for your resume
- Network with other healthcare professionals, which may benefit your job search
Some employers that you can apply to online for volunteer opportunities include:
Employment FAQ
How many Health Care Assistants are currently registered in BC?
As of October 1, 2023, 49,542 Health Care Assistants (HCA) hold active registration status with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (the Registry).
Will I be able to find a job? Are there HCA job opportunities in the future of the healthcare industry?
The demand for Health Care Assistants continues to grow as an important and necessary role in delivering health care in BC, making it a great career choice.
As our society ages, more people will require the support of healthcare workers to sustain their personal health needs.
How much do Health Care Assistants get paid?
According to information from the Health Employers Association of BC, the starting hourly wage of a Health Care Assistant working in a publicly funded setting can range from $27.92 to $29.83 (wage as of April 1, 2024), depending on the employment sector. As a full-time or part-time employee, you would have access to a comprehensive benefits package and a benefit pension plan through the Municipal Pension Plan. Most graduates usually start with casual or part-time employment and work up to full-time status gradually.
Will there be Health Care Assistant job opportunities in my local community?
There is a strong demand for Health Care Assistants across the province, in both urban centres and rural communities.
Visit our Employment page for more information about job opportunities.
What are the typical work hours for Health Care Assistants? Are there full-time and part-time options? Are Health Care Assistants required to work weekends, holiday shifts? Are they expected to perform on-call duty?
Health Care Assistants may work full-time or part-time hours, or on a call-in (casual) basis. They can apply for positions that are permanent, temporary, or casual. Shift schedules may include a combination of days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as on-call duty.
Are the typical daily work activities of a Health Care Assistant physically demanding?
Health Care Assistants are on their feet for much of their workday. Many HCAs work in environments that require varying levels of physical exertion. They may assist clients with mobility, positioning, lifts, and transfers, use and move equipment, and provide personal care.
Do Health Care Assistants in BC have to be fluent in English?
Health Care Assistants must read, write, speak, and understand the English language to follow directions and communicate effectively with clients, family members, and the healthcare team. Please review the English Language Competency Requirements.
Are Health Care Assistants required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19?
Per an Order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) of BC, all staff providing health care or services in a hospital or community setting, including those who work in acute care hospitals, all home support workers who interact with clients, and other health sector staff who interact with patients/ clients/ residents in facility and community care settings are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with a full series of a World Health Organization approved vaccine against infection by SARS-CoV-2. For full details of the Order please visit the BC Government Website. For further information regarding how this order affects you, please contact your health employer directly.
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