Department of Health Care Assistant

Male student in Health Care Assistant scrubs

Experienced instructors teach students the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to work as direct care providers in any level of continuing care, including home support, adult day care, assisted living, complex care and acute care.

Program spotlight

The Health Care Assistant Certificate program trains students for a rewarding career in person-centred care that is also one of B.C.'s most in-demand professions.

Health Career Access Program

Through the Health Career Access Program, the Province of B.C. will pay for your post-secondary education to complete the HCA Certificate. New hires in the program start in a health care support worker position and receive paid training that leads to full qualification as a Health Care Assistant. Please note: you must first apply to the provincial government's program and then await further instructions (do not apply directly to Okanagan College). For questions, email HCAPOC@okanagan.bc.ca

Check out the link below for more information on the Health Career Access Program.

Instructors

Catherine Farrow

Chair - Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4396
Health Care Assistance STH - Cathy Farrow

I have been teaching in the Health Care Assistant Program since 2015, and Program Chair since June 2021.  A Registered Nurse by profession, I am registered with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, and am a member of Gerontological Nurses' Association of BC, Canadian Gerontological Nurses' Association, and Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC.  My initial nursing education was through Vancouver Community College, and I subsequently obtained a BSN and MSN through UBC Vancouver.  I have a varied and extensive healthcare background, am passionate about geriatric care, and am committed to lifelong learning.  It is an absolute joy working with students and colleagues in the HCA program.

Credentials:
MSN, Nursing, UBC Vancouver
BSN, Nursing, UBC Vancouver
PIDP, Vancouver Community College
Registered Nurse

Krista Borsheim

Health Care Assistant
Office: Sunoka Building C09
Campus: Penticton
Headshot of Krista Borsheim

As a nurse, I have a passion to care for people - and what could be a more fulfilling career than to have the opportunity to teach others how to do the same. I am very proud to be a part of the Health Care Assistant program here at Okanagan College.

Credentials:
BN, Nursing, University of Calgary

Denice Evanishin

Health Care Assistant
Office: C Building 309
Campus: Vernon
Headshot of Denise Evanishin

I graduated as Registered Nurses Assistant (RNA) in 1981, became an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1990 and have loved watching the nursing profession change over the years. The bulk of my career has been in small rural hospitals, community, long term care and in regulation. I am born and raised in B.C., lived in the Okanagan Valley since 1996 and cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Credentials:
LPN, AVC
PIDP, VCC

Sarah Hutton

Health Care Assistant
Office: Salmon Arm Building 005A
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-762-5445

Paula Kohlman

Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 302
Campus: Kelowna
Health Care Assistance STH - Paula Kohlman

I am passionate in advocating for the health and wellness of our geriatric population. I have a background in caregiving prior to my RN role, and find my current role very rewarding. I enjoy learning and teaching at Okanagan College.

Credentials:
RN, BSN, UVIC

Michelle Krasniqi

Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6729

Sue Lovell

Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 302
Campus: Kelowna

Candace Matte

Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 303
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4378

Credentials:
LPN, Health Studies

Tracy Noble

Health Care Assistant (HCAP)
Office: Salmon Arm Building 171
Campus: Salmon Arm

I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2006. My experience includes working as a Post-Surgical Nurse and Educator at VJH, The Ambulatory Care Clinic in Salmon Arm, and have taught both the LPN and HCA Program here at Okanagan College. Currently, I am working full time in the HCA program. Working as a Healthcare Provider is a rewarding career and provides us with a special opportunity to connect and care for our clients.

Credentials:
BSN, UBC Okanagan

Jody Stone

HCAP
Office: Sunoka Building 009
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6420

Tianna Smidt

Health Care Assistant
Office: HS Building 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6334

Courses

Courses for the Health Care Assistant program include theoretical and laboratory components in the classroom, as well as supervised practicum in long-term care and community settings.

Experience

Join an info session or become a student for a day.

Ask

Have your questions answered by an advisor or recruiter. 

Apply

Take the next step and enrol in a program or course at OC.