Health Care Support Work

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

• General College Admission Requirements
• FoodSafe Level 1
• Academic Requirements:

*Applicants educated in Quebec at an institution where the language of instruction was not English, must meet the current English Language proficiency requirements.

Upon Offer: 

• A Criminal Record Check from the Ministry of Justice, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults will be required.  This must be done through Douglas College.  Specific Instructions will be provided by the program Admissions Officer.
• Complete an Informed Medical Suitability Declaration (to be completed on Douglas College Form) and a physician's note may be required.
• Submit a current record of immunity or immunization for Hepatitis B.
• Submit proof of negative TB skin test or chest X-ray, taken within 4 months prior to starting the program and classes. This may need to be repeated if student was tested more than six months prior to the first clinical experience, or as required by Health Regions. 

*Updated immunizations for measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, varicella and rubella are strongly recommended.  Recommendations will change based on Health Region requirements.

Standard First Aid and CPR Level C

• Certificate is required prior to the first clinical placement.

Non-Violence Crisis Intervention (NVCI):

• NVCI is required prior to the first clinical placement.  NVCI course may be arranged through the HCSW program during program orientation.  

Other:

• We strongly recommend you attend an information session.
• A personal interview with the Program Coordinator may be requested.

Access to the Health Care Support Work Certificate Program for Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Graduates

Additional admission requirements

In addition to the admission requirements for all HCSW program options, these admission requirements apply to Douglas College Community Mental Health Work program graduates who wish to access the Health Care Assistanting component of the HCSW program and to receive credit for previous education and work experience.  Students will graduate with a HCSW certificate.

Practice Requirements

1. Graduation from Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Program. (Note: the Introduction to Community Mental Health Certificate program offered through Douglas College Continuing Education is not equivalent to the Community Mental Health Work Certificate).
   AND
2. Current practice experience, such as working with persons with mental illness in a residential or community based facility for a minimum of 1,120 hours within four years of date of application. Submission of a letter from an agency/institution supporting this claim is required. 
   OR
   Graduation from Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Program within two years prior to the date of application.