Digital Hearts and Hands – Register Now
November 21, 2025 Last month, six hundred people participated in SafeCare BC’s tenth annual Hearts and Hands conference for health care assistants in Nanaimo, Langley, and Kelowna. Now, SafeCare BC is excited to bring you the digital Hearts and Hands experience. Registration for the free Digital Hearts and Hands is now open. Whether you attended in person last month or are joining online for the first time, the digital event lets you participate at your own pace, on any phone, tablet, or computer. The free digital event runs November 24–27 and is open to everyone to join. Each day will feature short educational videos and fun interactive activities. Your participation will earn you points, which can be used to win some great prizes. Register now at heartsandhands.ca. News & Information
Celebrating Health Care Assistants – Thank You!
November 19, 2025 Since its first proclamation in 2011 by the BC Provincial Government, Health Care Assistant Day has been celebrated annually to honour the vital role health care assistants (HCAs) play in our health system. While this October brought different circumstances, we wanted to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all HCAs around British Columbia, recognizing the tremendous difference you make in the lives of people in B.C. 💙 HCAs may be known by different titles—community health workers, care aides, home care assistants, personal support workers, and continuing care assistants—but the one thing they all share is their unwavering commitment to providing frontline personal care and assistance services to vulnerable patients, clients, and residents. Over the past few years, HCAs have faced unprecedented challenges—from navigating pandemics to adapting to evolving health system pressures and fiscal constraints. Through it all, HCAs have remained a steadfast and compassionate presence in the lives of those served. The dedication of HCAs to providing responsive personal care and emotional support in dignified ways is deeply valued. Whether in long-term care, home support, acute care, or community settings, your work is essential to the health and well-being of people throughout the province. To all HCA’s in B.C.: We see your commitment, your resilience and your heart. You are the backbone of our care teams, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. Thank you! With sincere gratitude, we celebrate you today and every day. Warm regards, Kerry Morrison, RN BSN EMBA Provincial Chief Nursing Officer Health Workforce Policy and Planning| BC Ministry of Health News & Information
Strengthening the Role of Indigenous Community Health Workers – The Conference Board of Canada
November 6, 2025 BC Indigenous community health workers, trainers/educators, and program coordinators are invited to participate in a research study. The focus of this research is to understand Indigenous community health worker training and career development needs as well as opportunities with the goal of transferring those learnings across Canada. Your voice is important-please see the links below to read about the study and to participate in an interview or to find out more information. The deadline to respond is November 17, 2025. https://www.conferenceboard.ca/strengthening-the-role-of-indigenous-community-health-workers/ https://www.conferenceboard.ca/renforcer-le-role-des-travailleurs-de-la-sante-communautaire-autochtones/ News & Information
2025 Hearts and Hands Conference
October 30, 2025 SafeCare BC recently hosted Hearts & Hands conferences throughout BC to celebrate, educate and inspire health care assistants. Events were held in Nanaimo, Langley and Kelowna. This year marked the tenth anniversary of the event. Members of the Registry team and HMBC Choose2Care team members exhibited at the event in Langley on Oct 22, 2025. With over 330 participants, this event was a huge success and an incredible day for learning and festivities. The Registry shared information and hosted interactive activities about new resources for HCAs. The Registry was grateful to be a part of this event, which recognizes and celebrates the hard work and dedication of BC health care assistants! News & Information
HCA Care Activities Chart and HCA Decision Making Tool
July 15, 2024 A BC Health Care Assistant (HCA) Care Activities Chart and HCA Decision Making Tool have been developed as resources for HCAs and others who want to understand more about the role of HCAs in BC. The HCA Care Activities Chart lists care activities that BC HCAs may be expected to perform as part of their duties. It also specifies care activities taught within in the Health Care Assistant Program Provincial Curriculum and categorizes care activities as tasks or restricted activities. The HCA Decision Making Tool has been developed as a resource to support HCAs to make decisions about performing or assisting with activities of daily living to support client independence and optimal functioning. These tools have been posted to the Resources and Educator webpages of the Registry website. News & Information
Health Care Assistant Day 2024
October 1, 2024 October 18, 2024 marks Health Care Assistant Day in BC. Join the Registry in celebrating the hard work and dedication of health care assistants. Health care assistants make a tremendous difference in the lives of British Columbians. Health Care Assistant Day was first proclaimed in 2011 by the BC Provincial Government. Its annual proclamation has continued ever since. Health care assistants have different job titles including community health workers, care aides, home care assistants, personal support workers and continuing care assistants. The one thing all health care assistants in BC have in common is that they provide frontline personal care and assistance services to vulnerable patients, clients and residents. Please take the time on Health Care Assistant Day (October 18, 2024) to recognize and thank Health Care Assistants across British Columbia! Download the full Health Care Assistant Day 2024 proclamation here. News & Information
Opportunity with Inspire Global Assessments
June 5, 2024 Inspire Global Assessments, formerly known as the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS), is looking for participants to be part of setting the performance standards for the HCA assessment. This is a unique opportunity to help set the performance levels for the HCA assessment. The task: To share feedback on the content of an HCA assessment alongside other subject matter experts. Participants will receive training on standard-setting tools and activities, evaluate HCA performance and establish estimates of performance levels. Feedback will help to improve the assessment for future candidates. When: HCA standard setting will be conducted in person on July 3rd and 4th from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm at the Inspire offices in Vancouver. To be eligible, standard-setting participants must meet the following criteria: Possess up-to-date role registration from any of the following fields: HCA, LPN, RN, or RPN. Be currently employed as an HCA, or HCA educator/researcher/employer/supervisor. Demonstrate HCA experience, including work with IENs and recent graduates from Canadian institutions, in the three years preceding the standard-setting exercise. Possess strong knowledge of entry-level competencies corresponding to the represented role (HCA). Be available to participate in the in-person activity scheduled for July 3–4, 2024, in Vancouver. For IEN participants, have completed an Inspire assessment within the last two years, undergone transitional education, and obtained registration for the represented role in the standard-setting exercise. *Volunteer contribution will be acknowledged with a participation letter detailing the training received and the techniques used to set performance standards. Interested? Complete this form Inspire Standard Setting Survey to apply. Email assessmentdevelopment@inspireassessments.org if you have any questions about this opportunity. News & Information
BC Health Care Assistant Program Recognition – Seeking Appointees for Appeals Review Panel
April 8, 2024 The Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) is seeking volunteer appointees for a standing Health Care Assistant Program Recognition Appeal Review Panel (ARP). To improve the standards of health care assistant (HCA) education programs in British Columbia, the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (the Registry) administers the HCA program recognition process. Educational institutions that do not meet provincial standards and have their recognition status withdrawn may submit an appeal (HCA Program Recognition Guide (2023) page 36). Minimum Qualifications for Appointees Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in one of the following fields: health care, administration and/or post-secondary education. Candidates must be BC residents. Other criteria are indicated within the application form. The ARP will meet virtually to review appeals. Application Form To express your interest, please complete and return this form by email to Registry.Appeals@heabc.bc.ca on or before August 15, 2024. Please also attach your resume/CV. For each appeal, ARP appointees will: · Review appeal decisions in the interest of administrative fairness. · Maintain the confidentiality of information received. · Commit approximately 12-16 hours over a defined period (e.g., 45 calendar days) once or twice a year. For each appeal, ARP appointees will rotate as chair with functions including: · Convening meetings. · Contacting the Registry and the appellant to collect pertinent information related to the appeal. · Preparing and communicating the ARP decision to relevant parties. · Maintaining the confidentiality of information received. Further Information To learn more about the Registry process for reviewing and recognizing BC Health Care Assistant Programs, visit Educators – BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (cachwr.bc.ca) A list of recognized BC HCA Programs can be found here: HCA Programs in BC – CareAide BC (cachwr.bc.ca) News & Information
Health Care Assistant Survey
April 3, 2024 BC health care assistants are invited to participate in the Choose2Care survey. By completing the survey, you’ll have the chance to win a $100 gift card! The goal is to gauge awareness of bursaries and services available for health care assistants in BC, delve into the motivations behind HCA career choices, and create materials for future campaigns. Direct link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6DFC5HD You are encouraged to complete the online survey by May 28, 2024. Thank you for your contribution! News & Information
National Care Aide Survey – Health Canada
December 5, 2023 BC health care assistants are invited to participate in a national research study. The focus of this study is to examine the role, scope, and function of health care assistants in various care settings in Canada. Direct Link here: https://focuspointconsulting.ca/ You are encouraged to complete the online survey and share your voice to this important work. News & Information