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Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

Canadian Students
International Students

Program Details

  • Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

  • Program Code: 868
  • Credential: Certificate
  • Duration: 2 Semesters
  • School of Health Sciences
  • Area: Health Sciences
  • Domestic Applications: OPEN
  • International Applications: CLOSED
  • Location/Delivery Modes & Dates:
  • B
    Bonavista - Blended - September 2026
  • B
    Burin - Blended - September 2026
  • B
    Carbonear - Blended - September 2026
  • B
    Clarenville - Blended - September 2026
  • C
    Corner Brook - On Campus - September 2026
  • C
    Grand Falls-Windsor - On Campus - September 2026
  • B
    Happy Valley-Goose Bay - Blended - September 2026
  • B
    Port aux Basques - Blended - September 2026
  • C
    Prince Philip Drive - On Campus - September 2026

Applications closed to international applicants.

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Program Overview

Print Overview

It’s personal.

With Canada’s aging population comes rapid growth in the demand for home, long-term, hospital and other types of health care. Personal care attendants will play a key role in providing support to clients in all aspects of daily living through companionship, physical, spiritual and psychosocial care.

Personal care attendants are trained to help those with disabilities, chronic illnesses and cognitive challenges, and assist those recently released from hospital. In many cases, taking care of clients in their homes but also providing their services in hospices or other medical facilities.  Their role is often required for the clients who need more help than their family or friends can provide.
 
CNA’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) certificate program offers classroom instruction, skills development, labs and supervised practicums to provide you with the skills to work with clients in a variety of health care settings. You will have the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for your clients.

If you are reliable, have strong communication  skills, have empathy for others and  are physically fit, this meaningful profession may be for you! Talk to us about how you can devote your skills to provide care to others.
 

 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Train to become a member of a health care team
  • Learn to follow workplace safety legislation, employer policies for maintaining a safe working environment, and procedures for responding to and reporting workplace safety concerns
  • Learn to document in a clear, concise manner that is consistent with legal requirements, employer policies and  standards of care
  • Includes modules in Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) as well as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Includes clinical placements

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s The Way Forward on Health articulates a focus on better health outcomes through several critical actions to advance access to health care throughout the province. They include:
    • Improving health outcomes for those in rural and remote areas
    • Enhancing healthy living for seniors
    • Providing services to an aging population in small, rural – and sometimes remote – communities
  • The median wage in Canada for a personal care attendant is $19.02 per hour[1]
  • A key factor in reaching improved health outcomes in rural areas is the development and availability of a trained labour pool of personal care attendants in rural Newfoundland and Labrador
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 34% increase in the need for personal care assistants through 2029.
 

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, graduates will be able to: 

  1. Provide holistic, client-centered care across the lifespan.
  2. Provide safe, competent, and ethical care that adheres to legislation, employer policies and procedures, scope of employment, educational program, evidence-informed practice, and ethical principles.
  3. Adhere to workplace safety legislation, employer policies for maintaining a safe working environment, and procedures for responding to and reporting workplace safety concerns.
  4. Communicate effectively with clients, families, and the health care team.
  5. Respect cultural diversity of the client, family, colleague, and community.
  6. Document in a clear, concise manner that is consistent with legal requirements, employer policies, and the provision of care.
  7. Report pertinent information in a timely manner to the appropriate health care team professionals.
  8. Recognize the significance of professionalism, life-long learning, self-care, well-being, and safety in the role of the PCA. 

CERTIFICATIONS

Students will complete the following during the program:

  • Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA)
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Mask fit testing
  • Appreciating Diversity in the Workplace certification
Note:  Students may be expected to incur costs associated with Mask-fit testing and completion of the Standard First Aid and BLS/CPR-HCP certification and the on-line modules in GPA and WHMIS.

Note: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation requires the use of an approved respirator when there is potential for exposure to airborne hazards. This program requires respirator use and you must be fit tested on the respirator approved for your program. A fit test ensures the respirator is suitable to you, sized appropriately, and provides a tight seal. It will also educate you on respirator use and care. Facial hair impacts the fit of respirators, therefore, students with facial hair will be required to be clean shaven at the time of fit testing and every time you wear a respirator. Your instructor will arrange fit testing. If you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to wear a respirator, you must be assessed by a health care provider before being fit tested. Your provider will need to confirm that it is safe for you to use a respirator. If you are unable to pass a fit test, alternative respirator options may be available; however, these options are more expensive, and students are responsible for any associated costs
 

CLINICAL PLACEMENT

Clinical placements are a required element of this program, and students will be assigned placements at approved training sites. Additional sites may be considered in consultation with program faculty. There is no guarantee that students will receive their preferred placement. All expenses associated with the completion of clinical placement will be the responsibility of the student.  
 
Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerability Sector Check) to be permitted into a clinical placement. Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to contact student.placements@cna.nl.ca prior to beginning the program.
 
For programs with competitive admissions, clinical placements are not affected by ranking in the competitive admissions process and will be determined under institutional guidelines.

CNA has a service agreement with a third-party provider Verified to prepare School of Health Sciences students for clinical placements in health care environments. The cost associated with Verified is available on the program cost forms. More information about this service will be provided upon the start of classes.

 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  • The Canadian government requires all international students in a program with a placement component (e.g. Co-Op, Clinical, etc.) to have a valid international Student Co-op Work Permit, in advance to their study permit
  • Your Co-op Work Permit must NOT contain any restrictions against working in a health care setting
  • If you are not sure what the Co-op Work Permit is or how to obtain it or if you would like assistance, please reach out to our International Student Development Officer Linda Spingle linda.spingle@cna.nl.ca

Admission Requirements

Eligibility for admission to the Personal Care Attendant program requires the applicant to meet one of the following criteria:

1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate, possess a Grade 12 diploma or Grade 12 equivalency documentation.
2. Adult Basic Education (ABE)   
Adult Basic Education (Level III)
3. Mature Student Requirements 
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program must be at least 19 years of age at the time of application and out of school for at least one (1) year and demonstrate Grade 12 literacy and numeracy equivalency to be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

English Proficiency
The School of Health Sciences requires the following minimum English language proficiency scores for applicants whose first language is not English (IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5 and Writing 7.0). English as a Second Language (ESL) students only – must meet School of Health Sciences English proficiency as outlined in Policy No. AC-102-PR.

International Applicants
All international applicants to the SHS may be required to submit official IELTS Academic Test scores that meet the minimum thresholds listed above. For more information regarding the College’s English language proficiency requirements please refer to AC-102-PR, Admission Procedures, Section 5.2 English Proficiency.

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance

1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

  • Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
  • Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
  • NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form
 2. Program specific requirements:
  • Standard/Intermediate First Aid – Must be valid for the duration of the program
  • CPR (BLS) – Annual renewal required for duration of program. CPR (BLS) has to be a direct delivery model or a blended model where skills are practiced hands on with supervision.
  • Reference letters - Provide two reference letters supporting entrance into the program. References cannot be provided by family members or friends. References may be provided by individuals such as:
    • Employers
    • Teachers/instructors
    •  Representative from a volunteer agency 
  • Volunteer hours - Perform 20 volunteer service hours within the past two years. Volunteer service may include, but is not limited to:
    • Community agencies
    • School programs
    • Church groups
    • Charitable organizations
    • Written verification is required for all volunteer hours. Note: If an applicant was unable to obtain the 20 volunteer hours; a letter indicating the extenuating circumstances must be submitted.
  • Personal Statement - Complete a one page written personal statement. Personal statements must address the following:
    • Reason(s) for interest in the program
    • Personal characteristics/skills/abilities that applicants bring to the program
    • Knowledge gained from volunteer experience(s)
  
Notes: 
  • Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
  • The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.
  • The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare visits, certificate of conduct fees, etc.).

Courses

COURSES

CODE TITLE Hrs/wk
Semester 1   Cr Le La
PC1120 Foundations for Practice 3 3 0
CM1170 Essentials for Communication & Documentation 3 3 0
PC1130 Workplace Safety 2 2 0
PC1141 Understanding Aging, Dementia & Dying 3 3 1
PC1145 Fundamentals I: Care Basics 6 5 3
PC1150 Clinical Practice I 4 0 4 wks
         
Semester 2   Cr Le La
PC1210 Basic Concepts for Medication Awareness 2 2 0
CM1215 Personal and Career Development Seminars 1 1 0
PC1220 Mental Health Concepts 2 2 0
PC1225 Fundamentals II: Body Systems Approach to Care 6 5 2
PC1230 Clinical Practice II 5 0 5 wks
PC1235 Clinical Preceptorship 3 0 3 wks
         
Course Lecture (Le) and Lab (La) hours per week are based on a 15 week semester. The actual lecture and lab hours during both semesters will be adjusted to account for the clinical training component.

 

Careers & Pathways

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates will have potential employment opportunities to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of institutionalized health care settings within Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tuition & Fees

Canadian Students
The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences $1,301.00 (per semester) $625.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $320.00 (per course)
Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

International Students
A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.
Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required to secure your seat. Included in first semester tuition.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees
School Regular Term
(15 weeks)		 Intersession
(up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences $4,685.00 (per semester) $2,344.00 (per semester)
Part-Time Student Fees
Certificate & Diploma Programs:
Program Type Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs $1,046.00 (per course)
Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2025–2026 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

  • Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
  • Offers better than bank exchange rates.
  • Fast, secure, and cost-effective.
Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

  • Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
  • Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
  • Students with outstanding balances are:
    • Ineligible for future term registration
    • Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
    • Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes
  • If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
  • Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
  • Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
  • Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
  • Students auditing a course must pay:
    • 50% of tuition
    • 100% of any applicable technology fees

College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.

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