Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

This program is of interest to those individuals who are

seeking a rewarding career in the health care sector,
where employment opportunities continue to grow.

Program Overview
The program is registered with Nova Scotia Private options homes, homes for the aged, private homes
Career Colleges and is delivered in accordance with and hospitals. This program initiative provides a
the Nova Scotia Continuing Care Assistant Curriculum pathway to a meaningful career and the building of
Standards. a skilled, adaptable and self-sufficient workforce that
While in program, learners will be enrolled, full time, contributes to the prosperity of Nova Scotia
in 40 weeks of theoretical instruction and clinical communities.
placement. Following successful completion of the
program, graduates may seek employment in START DATE
health care settings such as home support
April 2023, June 2023, August 2023,
agencies, long term care facilities, small
September 2023, and November 2023

Overview
CCAs are members of the licensed education provider and 2)
collaborative care team and successfully pass the Nova Scotia CCA
contribute to the provision of high Certification Exam.
quality, safe, compassionate, and The Oxford International College Halifax
efficient care to meet the needs of clients (OICH) CCA program is designed to provide
and families. A Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills,
provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and attitudes to deliver appropriate, timely, and
and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to respectful person-focused care to individuals. Our
individuals of all ages in a variety of practice settings, program offers a unique, blended approach to training
promoting holistic health and independence. A CCA that combines technical, employability, and essential
provides direct care and support services to people skills. Placements may occur in a variety of employment
of all ages, enriching their quality of life. settings, including: Home Care, Nursing Homes/Homes
To practice as a CCA in Nova Scotia, an individual must for the Aged, Acute Care Facilities, and other approved
be 1) a graduate of the CCA Program delivered by a care settings that employ CCAs.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 1
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Tuition
The tuition fee for this 10-month full-time program is $20,000.00 CAN. There is a $1,000 Application Fee. In some
cases we may be able to refund part, but not all, of this Application Fee. The tuition fee includes textbooks, 3 sets of
uniforms, mandatory certificate courses, and CCA exam fee.

Program Related Costs

Once accepted into the program, learners will receive or are responsible to obtain the following:

• Uniforms: All CCA learners will be provided with • Shoes: All CCA learners are required to obtain 1
three (3) sets of scrub uniforms for use during Pair of Duty Shoes (non-marking; non- skid soles;
Clinical Placements and some Lab components. fully foot enclosure) Students must purchase
Included in tuition fee. (average cost $40-60).

Entry Requirements
Applicants to the CCA program must meet the following minimum, provincial,
admission requirements:

• Nova Scotia or International Grade 12 certificate, GED • Ability to

Certificate or equivalent or apply basic
computer
• Adult Learner Status: An applicant may be considered
skills (basic
if he/she is at least 19 years of age and been out of
word pro-
regular high school system for at least one year, as per
cessing, send/
NS CCA Curriculum Standards and NS PCC approved
receive emails,
assessment (such as TABE; Wonderlic) for domestic
web browsing)
students with less than Grade 12 or GED
• Clear, Canada wide, Criminal/Vulnerable Record
• Capable of performing all job requirements
Check or Police Clearance Certificate (International
(physical and other).
students)
• Valid Driver License (where required) and access to
• NS Child Abuse Registry Check (where applicable)
reliable transportation to reach placement site.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the official language in
which the Program is delivered (English), ELLT Level 6,
IELTS Academic 6.0 or UCP program level 400 in Halifax.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 2
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Admission Process
To be considered for a program seat, all applicants are required to:

• Successfully complete UCP program level 400 in • Provide copy of High School Diploma or equivalent
Halifax or ELLT Level 6 or IELTS Academic 6.0 • Submit any relevant support documentation
• Participate in an Interview for Program Entry (where applicable, identified during interview)
• Provide clear Canada Wide Criminal/Vulnerable • Participate in an Employer Selection Review Process
Record Check or Police Clearance Certificate. (if required)

Please note: Final approval and seat allocation is made by way of Selection Panel or Program Selection Committee.
Please also note that graduates from a CCA program offered at a Nova Scotia Private Career College, are eligible
to apply for a work permit as a CCA through the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, International Graduates in Demand
Stream (IGDS). Graduates from Private Career Colleges are not eligible to apply for an open work permit in the PGWP.

General Program Requirements

• The NS Private Career Colleges Act and Regulations • Shift work is an integral part of this occupation and
mandate minimum attendance requirements for learners are expected to follow the rotation of their
all scheduled classes, lab practice and placements. placement mentors, Therefore, placements can
Current regulations require a minimum attendance involve day, evening and night shift assignments,
rate of 90%. Please note that some certificate courses, for up to 12 hours per shift. While classroom instruction
program modules and or placements require 100% is held between Monday and Friday of each week,
mandatory attendance. placements may occur any day the week.
• It is the responsibility of the education provider to • Students must successfully complete all program
maintain attendance records. Failure to meet components in order to graduate and be eligible
attendance requirements will lead to dismissal to write the provincial certification exam.
from the program. • The pass mark for each program module/course
• The CCA Program entails clinical placements in Long is 75 %.
Term Care; Home Care and approved health care
Settings. Students are required to provide their own, • The CCA Program has additional requirements
reliable, transportation to clinical placements. This is related to immunizations/vaccinations. Learners
of particular importance for home care placements. are responsible to obtain relevant vaccinations and
provide documentation that they have completed
these requirements at the beginning of program.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 3
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Immunizations:

Health care workers and other staff (including learners) who work in health care
settings are at risk of exposure to communicable diseases due to their direct care
contact with clients, residents and/or patients or material from individuals with infections, both diagnosed and
undiagnosed. Up to date vaccination status and Hepatitis B vaccination is a condition for clinical placement and
employment in most health care settings. TB Testing: Health Authority policies require that all learners entering a
health care program and completing placements in any associated facilities to undergo a 2 Step Mantoux Test. The
test cannot be older than six (6) months before starting the program and must be completed prior to 1st placement
and/or lab assignments on care units. See attached NS Health Authority Requirements Document (Appendix A).

Please note: The submission of vaccination status records are conditions for placement by many employers/work
placement hosts. Non-provision of records or refusal to obtain immunization may prevent the learner from going to/
participating in mandatory placements.

Mandatory Certificate Courses

All learners must complete/obtain the following certificate courses in their entirety.

• Dementia Care Course • Standard First Aid/CPR Level C

• Workplace Hazardous Material Information System • Food Hygiene Course or Basic Food Safety Training
(WHMIS) • LEAP Long Term Care (Palliative Care) Course
• Introduction to Occupational Health & Safety • Mental Health First Aid

Placements
Placements provide an opportunity for the learner to demonstrate that they are safe to practice their roles with a
variety of individuals in nursing homes, home care, acute care, or other approved care settings. Placements are
arranged by the education provider.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PLACEMENT (MINIMUM 110 HOURS)

Conducted in a Department of Health and Wellness licensed nursing home/home for aged. This placement is meant
to introduce the student to a real work environment to develop their skills by providing hands on experience under
the direct supervision1 of an RN or LPN.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 4
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Mentorships
Consisting of three (3) separately scheduled placements as follows:

Home Support: Nursing Homes/Homes for Open Mentorship:

80 hours. The Home Support the Aged: 60 hours. The Open Mentorship
placement provides the learners 80 hours. Nursing Homes/Homes placement provide learners with
with the opportunity to work for the Aged placements provide the opportunity to demonstrate
in partnership with a mentor the learners with the opportunity their behaviours and competencies
to practice behaviours and to demonstrate behaviours and in one or more placement sites
competencies in a home care competencies in the workplace as including acute care facilities,
setting. Specifically, learners they work in partnership with a home care agencies, nursing
can refine their behaviours and mentor. The Nursing Home/Homes homes/homes for the aged,
competencies unique to home for the Aged Mentorship Placement residential care facilities or
care such as light housekeeping, occurs in Department of Health and alternate approved care
laundry, and meal preparation. Wellness licensed settings. Learners settings.
The Home Support Mentorship gain practical experience in meeting
Placement occurs with a home the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
support agency providing services and Instrumental Activities of Daily
to Department of Health and Living (IADLs) needs of individuals.
Wellness.

Course/Module/ Specialized Supports Program Module/Courses:

Placement Exemptions The following information provides
Given the nature of this program
If you have taken courses at other and provincial program an overview of the general content
post-secondary institutions and guidelines, accommodations of the program, by course/module.
have completed them successfully may be limited. However, if you Throughout the program learners
(final grade of 75% or higher) you require accommodation due to are expected to: Model respectful,
may be eligible for course/module/ a disability affecting vision, appropriate professional behaviour
placement exemptions. To request hearing, learning, mental or and effective interpersonal
exemption, learners must meet physical health, you must interactions with others in
with the program instructor(s) and self-disclose during the accordance with the standards
submit a formal request (in writing) admission process and provide of practice.
for course/module/placement relevant documentation.
exemption.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 5
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Introduction to CCA CCA Personal and Communication in the

Program and Health Care Professional Development Care Setting
Sector This module also introduces This module will introduce the
This module introduces the learner to the role of the CCA and learner to effective interpersonal
learner to the Continuing Care the CCA’s general responsibilities communication practices for CCAs.
Assistant (CCA) program and the as an integral provider of care and The learner will become familiar
health care sector by providing an member of the health care team. with different types of professional
overview of the Program, and an Learning outcomes include the relationships and the appropriate
understanding of the Program’s social philosophy of care; CCA forms of interpersonal
role within the Nova Scotia health Scope of Practice; professional communication that occur in
care sector. It also introduces the responsibilities and the professional care settings. The learner will assess
learner to the framework governing qualities and behaviours expected his/her strengths and areas for
the delivery of care and the various of a CCA. improvement in interpersonal
types of health care services and communications generally. The
service providers in Nova Scotia. learner also will understand and
practice communication strategies
and approaches that will strengthen
his/her ability to deal with the
varied situations s/he might
encounter as a CCA.

Documentation and Environmental Safety Safe Handling and

Technology in the Care In this module, the learner will Mobility
Setting gain an understanding of his/her This module introduces the
This module will provide an role as a CCA in providing a safe principles of body movement and
introduction to the various forms and secure environment. S/he safety, to be followed during the
of written communication required will become familiar performance of all direct
of CCAs in care settings and with strategies, and indirect assistance
how CCAs can approach care- rules, regulations activities. Learner
related written communication and protocols will learn how to
appropriately and effectively. that will help position and
The learner will recognize the him/her to transfer individuals
importance of documentation in minimize by using person
the coordination and monitoring of workplace specific assess-
care and will overview various forms risk. There is ments and safe
of documentation. The learner an emphasis application of
also will develop his or her written on infection positioning and
communication and documentation control. transfer strategies.
skills. Additionally, the learner will be
introduced to the appropriate uses
of technology by CCAs both inside
and outside care settings.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 6
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Care Setting Management Growth and Development

This module is designed to enable In this module learners will acquire
the learner to develop the skills the knowledge related to the
required for the basic safety and principles of growth and
cleanliness of the person’s care development and how to apply
setting, according to the scope them in order to meet the person’s
of employment policies. It needs. Topics include: physical,
prepares the learner to organize emotional and social development
and complete daily care setting across the life span.
management tasks, set priorities and
develop time management skills.

Body Structure; Function Personal Care Nutrition and Meal

and Care Implications In this course learners will attain Preparation
This module will enable the learner the skills and knowledge related In this module learners will be
to acquire a basic knowledge of to the provision of personal introduced to nutrition and the role
the normal structure and function care. Using a person-centered of the CCA in meeting the dietary
of the body. It provides an philosophy of care approach. needs of individuals of all ages.
introduction to common health Learners will acquire the com- Learners will develop the skills and
issues and the implications petencies required to implement knowledge necessary to plan, serve
for care. respectful, safe and effective and prepare basic meals.
personal care, to individuals across
the life cycle.

Mental Health and Social Medication

Wellbeing This module allows the learner
This module is designed to to cultivate an awareness of
prepare the learner to recognize medications and the role of the
and support individuals who are CCA in supporting the needs
experiencing mental health issues of the person. The module
as well as various types of abuse introduces commonly used
and neglect. It explores strategies medications as well as some
to maintain mental health and basic principles of pharmacology.
social well–being. Learner will acquire the skills to
competently apply medicated
topical creams, ointments
and drops.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 7
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Labour Market
Information
Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) work in a variety of health care settings including Long Term Care; Home Care;
Hospitals; Private Care and Residential Care.

• Job Titles: Continuing Care Assistant; Care Team • Salary: CCAs can expect to earn a starting salary
Assistant; Home Support Worker; Personal Care Worker. of approximately $17.00 to $18.00 per hour plus shift
differentials.
• Employment Prospects: Good - The employment
outlook over the next few years for this • Work Permits for International Students: Nova Scotia
occupational group is “good”, which indicates the Office of Immigration and Population Growth (NSIPG)
chances of a qualified individual finding work is above has recently introduced a new program through the
average. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Nominee Program. It is called the
and job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The International Graduates In Demand Stream (IGDS).
number employed in this occupation is expected to This allows CCA graduates from a private career
grow significantly over the next five years, which will college program to secure employment in a CCA
provide additional opportunities for employment. role and gain a work permit. Students can apply to
the Nova Scotia IDGS stream as soon as they graduate
from the CCA program. Once approved for the IGDS
and have an offer of full-time work from an employer,
they can then apply for a work permit. At the same
time, they can also apply for permanent residency
if that is their goal. When they receive their work
permit, they can start work.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 8
Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)

Appendix A
Infectious Diseases and Immunization Requirements for
Students/Learners in Healthcare Settings

• Diphtheria-tetanus-Pertussis: A complete primary • Hepatitis B: Consider immune with evidence of 3

series of 3 doses of a combined tetanus, pertussis, and doses of HBV-containing vaccine given at 0, 1, and 6
diphtheria vaccine preparation and booster within the months and one documented adequate anti-HBs titre
last 10 years unless contraindicated. For adults who done between 1 and 6 months after immunization; or
have not had a dose of acellular pertussis vaccine, the anti-HBs positive, anti-HBc positive, or HBsAg positive
dT booster could be replaced by the dTap vaccine. from hepatitis B infection. If non-immune, requires 3
doses of HBV-containing vaccine given at 0,1, and 6
• Measles (rubeola): Consider immune if born before months unless contraindicated with anti-HBs test-
1957 or if born after 1957 with evidence of 2 doses of ing 1-6 months after the 3rd dose. Individuals testing
a live measles - containing vaccine or physician- anti-HBs negative several years after receiving the
diagnosed measles or documentation of measles primary series may receive one booster followed by
IgG. If non-immune requires 2 doses of MMR unless post-vaccine serology to determine responder status.
contraindicated. Non-responders should be immunized with a second
3-dose series unless contraindicated and serologic
• Mumps: Consider immune if born before 1957 or if
testing repeated. Non-responders require testing
born after 1957 with evidence of 2 doses of a live
for HBsAg.
mumps- containing vaccine or laboratory
-diagnosed mumps or documentation of mumps • Varicella: Consider immune with evidence of self
IgG. If non-immune requires 2 doses of MMR unless reported history of varicella or shingles, or
contraindicated. physician-diagnosed varicella or shingles or
documentation of VZV IgG or 1 dose (if given before
• Rubella: CConsider immune with evidence of 2 doses
age 13 years) or 2 doses given at least 1 month apart
of a live rubella-containing vaccine or documentation
(if given after 13 years age) of live varicella vaccine. If
of rubella IgG. If non-immune requires 2 doses of MMR
non-immune, requires 2 doses of live varicella vaccine
unless contraindicated
at least 1 month apart unless contraindicated.

• Tuberculosis: BCG vaccine is no longer recommended:

A Two-step Tuberculin skin (TST) test must be
completed and must be negative.

If there is a documented prior positive TST, previous treatment for active TB, or previous treatment for latent TB, a TST
is not required. Medical evaluation and a chest X-ray within 1 year (if asymptomatic) are required.

oxford international college halifax • continuing care assistant (cca ) • FORMERLY EAST COAST INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE 9