Continuing care assistants (CCA) are in high demand in Nova Scotia.
About continuing care assistants
Continuing care assistants provide personal and compassionate care to people in long-term care and home care settings. CCAs help clients with daily activities, support social or recreational interactions, and help maintain client safety and wellbeing.
Pay range
Continuing care assistants are in high demand. CCAs in Nova Scotia earn between $43,000 and $48,000 annually.
Becoming a continuing care assistant
To become a CCA, you must successfully complete a CCA program through a licensed education provider and pass the CCA Certification Exam.
Programs are offered at NSCC and some private career colleges in Nova Scotia.
If you have lots of experience providing care (in Nova Scotia, or in another province or country), you may also be able to get CCA certification through the Recognized Prior Learning (RPL) Program. The RPL Program helps you get credit for significant care-related on-the-job training, formal education and life experiences that you already have.
Available support
The Government of Nova Scotia is providing free tuition, textbooks (and some additional program costs) for students who enroll in a CCA program at:
- Cape Breton Business College (CBBC)
- Eastern College
- Island Career Academy
- NSCC
- Oxford International College Halifax
- Northwood Career College
For tuition to be covered, students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and agree to work as a CCA in Nova Scotia (at a funded and licensed nursing home, residential care facility or publicly funded home care agency) for 2 years.
The Government of Nova Scotia will also cover Recognition of Prior Learning Program fees for anyone working in Nova Scotia’s continuing care sector (at a funded and licensed nursing home, residential care facility, or publicly funded home care agency).
There may be other supports available to you while you study provided by some employers. For more information on this email ccrectuiment@healthassociation.ns.ca.
Next steps
Visit NSCC, or a private career college for more information about CCA programs (including admission requirements, program start dates, courses and how to apply).
Contact
Department of Seniors and Long-term Care
ccatuition@novascotia.ca
Employment opportunities
Related information
- Becoming a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) in Nova Scotia’s Continuing Care Sector: English and French (PDF)
- Continuing Care Assistant Program (CBBC)
- Continuing Care Assistant Program (Island Career Academy)
- Continuing Care Assistant Training Program (Eastern College)
- Continuing Care Program (NSCC)
- Continuing Care Program (Oxford International College Halifax)
- Northwood Career College