Continuing Care Assistant

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Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Continuing Care Assistant program is a one-year certificate program that you can take in Saskatoon, Regina or Prince Albert. You can also take it through your local regional college or through part-time distance flexible learning through the School of Continuing Education.

The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning in labs and during clinical practicums. You’ll build knowledge and skills in:

• addressing individual psychosocial needs.
• developing effective communication skills.
• using personal protective equipment when working with infectious diseases.
• performing personal care such as bathing and toileting for older adults.
• death and dying practices.
• dementia management strategies.
• gerontology (a major area of study).
• long-term care philosophy in different settings.
• promoting independence in a safe environment.
• working with individuals with different physical and cognitive impairments.
• working with people of different cultures and lifestyles.

You will participate in two clinical placements (at different facilities) over a 6-week timeframe. Under the supervision of your instructor and working alongside experienced CCAs you’ll put your skills into practice with clients in long-term care facilities. It’s a great way to build your knowledge and confidence. 

CCA students must complete the program within four years to receive their certificate.

Students will require the following:

• A laptop with webcam to complete exams.
• Reliable/stable internet connection for online course components
• A uniform to attend the laboratory/simulation components and clinical practice education.
• Required textbooks and course materials.

Career and salary information

Your career

Continuing Care Assistant graduates enjoy high employment rates. You could work in a home care setting, long-term care facility, private care home, acute care facility, integrated facility, supportive housing or special needs classroom. You’ll work as part of a health-care team under the supervision of registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses or licensed practical nurses.

Potential careers

Part-time delivery

CCA students must complete the program within four years to receive their certificate. 

Admissions

Admission requirements

• Grade 12 or successful completion of fifteen (15) post-secondary credits from a recognized institution
• English Language Requirement

Note

Applicants require:

• personal and physical suitability. This job is physically demanding and you will be on your feet continuously throughout your shifts (aside from your coffee and meal breaks).  It can also be mentally and emotionally stressful and students must have a strong support system and coping strategies in place to do well.
• a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search prior to entering the clinical component of the program (an interview may be required). At the discretion of the clinical agency, you may be declined access to a clinical placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is your responsibility.
• Standard First Aid and CPR Heartsaver CPR AED – Level C or equivalent are required prior to entry into clinical.
• current immunization records.
• N95 respirator mask testing (2 mask minimum) prior to entry into the clinical practicum. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
• 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.
• current Transferring, Lifting and Repositioning (TLR®) © certification and Professional Assault Response Training (PART®) © Intermediate certification
• Food Safe Level 1 Certification prior to entry into the clinical practicum. Students are responsible for the costs of these certificates.
• a co-op work permit (international students only) to participate in the mandatory CLIN 100 and CLIN 219 in this program.

Alternative admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 247 Reading
• 243 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

2023-24 academic year

$8,560

International students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• Candidate Guide
• Candidate Guide (Department of Arts and Sciences courses)
  • communications, mathematics, sciences, social sciences
• More about PLAR

Transfer credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Student awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Related programs

Educational Assistant

Pharmacy Technician

Practical Nursing

Therapeutic Recreation

Youth Care Worker

Additional information

• Indigenous Student Experience
• Personal Readiness
• Have a question? Email CCA.Program@saskpolytech.ca.