Healthcare
Continuing Care Assistant - Progressive Education
Learn the skills to become a registered Continuing Care Assistant in Nova Scotia. You will be trained in how to provide long-term care assistance to the aging community. Government grants up to $11,495 available now.*
About The Program
Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) are highly sought after in Nova Scotia and remain one of the fastest-growing fields in health care. This is mainly due to the rise of the Canadian aging population. Canadians are now living longer lives than previous generations and the demand for care workers is also increasing.
Our Continuing Care Assistant – Progressive Education Program (CCA – PE), is a great way to put your learning into practice early on in this ‘Work and Learn’ program. This program is taught through a combination of online classes led by an instructor and paid training at a facility near you. Starting from week 12, students will attend classes virtually three days a week and work two days a week in the continuing care sector.
We are currently working with placement opportunities at the following locations. We are continuously expanding our partnerships and adding new locations. Let us know which facility you are interested in your community.
- Roseway Manor, Surf Lodge and NSWorks, Shelburne
- Maritimes ODD Fellows Home, Pictou
- Tideview, Clair Home Support and NSWorks, Digby
*Right now you can take advantage of free tuition for the Continuing Care Assistant – Progressive Education program which is being funded by the Seniors and Long-Term Care division of the Nova Scotia Government. You must be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen to qualify for free tuition.
Learn More
Career Opportunities
As a Continuing Care Assistant graduate, you will qualify for positions such as Continuing Care Assistant, Care Team Assistant, Home Support Worker, Home Care Worker, and Personal Care Worker.
Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads
- Shannex
- Northwood Homecare Limited
- Mountain Lea Lodge
- MacLeod Annapolis Royal
- Grace Haven
- Shoreham Village
- Gem Healthcare Group
- Hillside Pines
- North Queens Nursing Home
Salary
Employment Rate*
Average Wage/hr**
High Wage/hr**
*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 4412, 3413 - **Wage data based on NOC Code 4412 and rounded down to the nearest dollar based on Nova Scotia data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.
Program Details
Get the certifications you need to become a successful Continuing Care Assistant. As the aging population increases, the demand for care workers is growing rapidly. If you are looking for a rewarding career path and enjoy helping others, the Continuing Care Assistant program is just what you need to get started.
Support clients and their families who need assistance — whether elderly, disabled or recovering from a serious illness or injury. You’ll have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings including hospitals, long-term care homes or as in-home care providers.
As a Continuing Care Assistant student at Eastern College, you will learn the skills required to meet provincial standards and help you find a job in your chosen field. Course material is approved by the Health Association of Nova Scotia CCA Program Advisory Committee.
Students enrolled in the program receive the following certifications:
- LEAP Long-Term Care Pallium Canada
- Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementia Care Course
- Standard First Aid/CPR Level C training
- Food Hygiene Course or Basic Food Safety Training (BFST)
- WHMIS Awareness
- Occupational Health and Safety Act introduction
What’s Included in the ‘Work and Learn’ Continuing Care Assistant – PE Program?
- 100% free tuition including books and exam fees
- 37-week program with classes offered remotely so you can learn from anywhere
- ‘Work and Learn’ model (earning money while you learn at a facility home near you)
- Eastern College Diploma
- Great employment prospects
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
Body Structure and Function
Introduction to the CCA Career
Communication Strategies
Client Safety
Growth and Development Across the Life Course
LEAP PSW
Nursing Home Mentorship Placement
Medication Awareness
Mental Health and Social Well-Being
Open Placement
Meeting Personal Needs
Safe Handling and Mobility
Safety and Wellness
Skills Development Placement 1
Skills Development Placement 2
Admission Requirements
- Student has Grade 12 or equivalent, OR can pass a qualifying test.
- The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 12.
- Student must provide a current Immunization Record (based on Nova Scotia Health Authority standards).
- Student must meet the CCA language proficiency requirement.
- Student must provide a completed physician’s assessment in order to demonstrate that they are evidently capable of taking the training and performing the functions normally expected of a worker in this field.
- Student must provide a clear Criminal Record Check.
- Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Persons applying for admission to the program while resident outside Canada or who have not been resident in Canada for the prior six months may use the form of International Police Certificate identified by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in lieu of the requirement for persons applying from within Canada who have six months prior residence in the country, i.e. satisfactory results from searches through a Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
Career Quiz
Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!
Success Stories
“The instructors are amazing, very helpful and always there for anything you need, anytime. The atmosphere of the school is energetic and fun. I enjoy coming to school every day.”
Donna
2019