CBBC News

CBBC is honoured to be partnering with The Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care (SLTC) to deliver a new and innovative program designed to address the shortage of qualified Continuing Care Assistants (CCA) in Nova Scotia. This program is open to residents of Nova Scotia who meet admission requirements.

Under this new ‘Work and Learn Continuing Care Assistant” program, qualifying students will receive free tuition to become a CCA while going to school three days a week and working (paid!) in a continuing care environment two days a week.

We will be training hundreds of students over the next 12 months and we want YOU to be one of them!

What is a Continuing Care Assistant?

We may be sounding a bit like a broken record when we keep saying that there has never been a better time to start a career in healthcare, but we’re saying it for good reason. The pandemic has taught us that investing in healthcare is incredibly important and that has brought upon a hiring frenzy. In a world where many are struggling to find and keep quality employment, positions like those of a continuing care assistant, and extremely in demand.

Continuing Care Assistants work under the supervision of registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, or licensed practical nurses. As a continuing care assistant, you’ll be a caretaker, mostly to elderly clients or those who are living with illness. You’ll work directly with clients in long-term care, home care, assisted living, some areas in acute care, or even in special needs classrooms. Demand for this occupation is growing and so are the job opportunities due to factors such as an aging population, longer life expectancies, shorter hospital stays, and more outpatient treatment.

You’ll help your clients with mobility, personal care, assisting them to eat their meals, and medication monitoring. It’s a face-to-face, people-focused job that has a huge impact on those with whom you work. Continuing care assistants are truly special people who are with their clients during the most vulnerable point in their lives. This may be at the end of life, during daily care, or during truly difficult medical situations.

Think of the sense of pride that you’ll end each day with knowing that you made a difference. Yes, this can be a very difficult job, but it will also be incredibly rewarding. Being able to give back every day is a special thing and it really takes a special person.

What does the “Work and Learn” program look like?

It is truly our honour to be working with the Nova Scotia provincial government on this new and innovative program. Students will begin their training with approximately eight weeks of practical and hands-on learning. This is to build up the foundational knowledge that they’ll need to begin their time working in a continuing care environment.

After the eight weeks have ended, the 3 and 2 models will begin. Students will spend three days a week learning all they need to be successful as a CCA, and two days a week working in continuing care in a paid position. This position won’t be as a CCA (because you won’t be qualified yet) but you’ll receive valuable skills and work experience that will serve you well in the future.

The cost of tuition (including administration and exam fees) and textbooks will be fully paid for eligible students enrolled in the Work and Learn CCA Education Model.

It’s time to change your life. It’s time for an education from CBBC Career College.

Get a leg up in the job market NOW (don’t wait!). We would love to chat with you more about becoming a continuing care assistant. To learn more and to connect with us, visit the program page here. We look forward to chatting with you more about this exciting program (and your new career opportunities!).