Continuing Care Assistant - Progressive Education (CCA-PE) - Program Objectives, Career Opportunities, Certification and Admission Requirements

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious

The Continuing Care Assistant – Progressive Education (CCA-PE) program is a provincial standard entry-to-practice program for Nova Scotia care settings under the Department of Health and Wellness. It uses a Work-and-Learn model with virtual classes and two weekly shifts, supported by required on-site practical labs for some modules. Graduates pursue roles across nursing homes, home support agencies, and acute and private home care. Completion requires module averages of at least 70%, required modules and field placements, and passing a provincial certification exam.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Program Objectives

Work-and-Learn Model and Placements

Career Opportunities

Certification

Prerequisites

Graduation Requirements

Program Overview

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES The continuing care sector remains one of the fastest growing fields in health care. Contributing to this growthis the significant aging of our population as well as the systemic shift toward delivering more health care services to individuals in community settings. There is considerable demand for new staff in the continuing care and acute care sectors in Nova Scotia with the expansion of long-term care facilities and increases in hospital and home care services. The Continuing Care Assistant – Progressive Education (CCA-PE)program was developed to address the unique needs of Nova Scotian communities and to equip graduates with the necessary competencies to deliver appropriate, timely, and respectful person-focused care to individualsin need of continuing, acute, or residential care. The CCA-PE program follows a Work-and-Learn model, whereby students will complete their studies while also working 2 shifts per week in the continuing care sector. Classes are held virtually, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their homes attending their work placements to apply their learning, develop their skillsets, and solidify their understanding of the continuing care sector. These placements currently occur in home support agencies who serve Department of Health and Wellnessclients, nursing homes/homes for the aged, various acute care facilities and other approved care settings that employ CCAs. The program is a provincial standard program required as an entry-to-practice standard for designated care settings under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Wellness. Students write a provincial certification exam upon completion of an approved education program to receive the CCA certification. NOTE: While classes are virtual, students will be required to attend on-site practical labs for certain modules. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Career paths are wide and varied. Successful graduates can expect careers in nursing homes, homes for theaged, home support agencies, acute care facilities and private home care. CERTIFICATION ▪ Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementia Care Course ▪ Standard First Aid/CPR Level C ▪ Food Hygiene Course or Basic Food Safety Training (BFST) ▪ LEAP Long-Term Care Pallium Canada ▪ WHMIS Awareness ▪ Occupational Health and Safety Act Introduction PREREQUISITES 1. Student has Grade 12 or equivalent, OR can pass a qualifying test. 2. The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 12. 3. Student must provide a current Immunization Record (based on Nova Scotia Health Authority standards) . 4. Student must meet the CCA language proficiency requirement. 5. 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. 6. Student must provide a clear Criminal Record Check. 7. Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check. 8. Persons applying for admission to the Continuing Care Assistant - Progressive Education (CCA-PE) 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 at [https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration)refugees-citizenship/services/application/medicalpolice/police-certificates/how. html 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) . Condition to this requirement: The college will require students admitted with this prerequisite to complete the CRC and VSS searches as soon as they are eligible to apply

FAQs

What is the core training model for the CCA-PE program?

The program follows a Work-and-Learn model where students complete studies while working two shifts per week in the continuing care sector. Classes are delivered virtually, with on-site practical labs required for certain modules.

Where can students complete their work placements?

Placements occur in approved continuing care settings such as home support agencies, nursing homes/homes for the aged, various acute care facilities, and other approved care settings that employ CCAs.

What are the main certification and graduation requirements?

Students write a provincial certification exam after completing an approved education program. To graduate and receive a diploma, a student must achieve at least 70% overall average in each module and complete Student Success Strategies, Career Planning and Preparation, field placement requirements, and attendance requirements.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious