Only registered employers can check to see if an employee, or prospective employee, is registered as a health care assistant. This must be done before a candidate can be offered employment as a health care assistant in BC.
As a matter of its contract with the Ministry of Health or with a health authority, an employer in receipt of public funding is required to report to the Registry every suspension or termination of an employee for alleged abuse of a client, patient, or resident. This report must be made in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the notification to the employee of the suspension. A copy of the report must also be sent to the union if the employee is represented by a union.
Employers are required to make a written report of suspension of an employee for alleged abuse or termination of an employee for alleged abuse.
This report must be made in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the employer’s notification to the employee of the suspension or termination, and must:
(a) identify the employee suspended pending investigation for alleged abuse or terminated for alleged abuse;
(b) the nature of the allegation of abuse against the employee.
A copy of the report to the Registry must be provided to the employee, the Registry and to the union designate (when the employee suspended or terminated is represented by a union).
The form to report alleged patient, client, or resident abuse by a health care assistant employed by your organization can be completed here.
Resignations do not resolve the matter of alleged abuse and prevent due processes under the Registry. If an employee resigns, they will remain suspended from the Registry.
When receiving a letter of resignation or settling a grievance with a resignation, employers should be advised that the matter of alleged abuse reported to the Registry cannot be resolved in this manner.
A Registry investigation may still be required to determine registration status. Where the employee is represented by a union, the employer and union will equally share costs for the investigation.
The employee will remain suspended from the Registry until resolved as outlined in this process: https://www.cachwr.bc.ca/about-the-registry/ensuring-public-safety/removal-from-the-registry/
If the qualifications for the position requires candidates to have completed a health care assistant program, then they must be registered.
