There are now even more opportunities to get into a health-care career with Interior Health (IH).

An additional 337 Health Career Access Program (HCAP) positions have been approved: 20 new pilot positions within acute care at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH), 205 in long-term care and 112 in home health.

“We’re proud of HCAP, a joint and fully funded training initiative between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, to address the shortage of health care assistants (HCA),” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This important program combines a paid work component, paid tuition and an educational stipend that creates an entry point to employment in health care.”

New hires start as health care support workers, providing non-direct care at a long-term care, acute care or home health site. Participants become HCAs upon successful completion of the program.

“I am so proud to see more people consider joining the health system in health care support positions,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “There are so many valuable and important careers that start right here with the Health Career Access program in Interior Health. We look forward to the results of the pilot program, and I am confident that we’ll see amazing people join a fulfilling, long-term career that makes a difference for people in British Columbia.”

“The Health Career Access Program is an excellent opportunity to start a career in health care,” said Dorothy Stanton, Health Career Access Program Leader at Interior Health. “It delivers the needed support in long-term care, home health and acute care environments, while providing financial stability to those completing the program.”

HCAP typically requires six to eight months of full-time post-secondary education. Through HCAP, the cost of post-secondary education is covered while helping to place graduates in entry-level jobs. Each HCAP opportunity is equivalent to receiving a full scholarship to go to school. Graduates sign a 12-month Return of Service Agreement with IH in exchange for this funding.

This innovative program provides an opportunity for individuals to access a fulfilling health-care career within Interior Health (IH). It also enables the support of our aging population at home and in facility care, helps to provide high-quality care to seniors and addresses the need to fill vacant HCA positions.

“I’m loving what I do and thankful for all the kindness and encouragement I’ve received along the way,” said Samantha Watters, health care assistant, Interior Health. “Because of HCAP and Interior Health, I’m here, in my 40s, starting my new career.”

To learn more, visit the HCAP page on the IH website.

Lead image: Samantha Watters, health care assistant at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong, and HCAP graduate. Photo submitted

Interior Health

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