Job awaits OC health-care grad
Health-care assistant receiving certificate Saturday already has a position in her field
When Zaynah Stewart crosses the stage to accept her health-care assistant certificate from Okanagan College on Saturday, she will do so with the satisfaction of already having a job secured.
Stewart had three job offers to choose from after graduating from the six-month program, which provides the skills and training for people interested in providing direct client care to seniors and people with disabilities.
“It feels great to already have a position,” said Stewart. “The best part of my job is seeing how happy individuals are when I’m caring for them.”
Stewart, 25, began her career working in administrative positions, but never lost sight of her dream to become a nurse. When she decided to follow her passion and go back to school, she discovered another health-care career she’d never considered when she learned about the health-care assistant program.
The program instantly appealed to her because of its short duration, which offered a chance to step into the health-care field quickly.
“There are so many advancement opportunities in the healthcare sector, and it’s a quick program to see if the health-care sector is right for you,” said Stewart. “I would recommend the program to anyone interested in a health-care career. It provides a strong foundation in how to give good care.”
Stewart is one of 31 graduates from the college’s most recent intakes of the HCA program, which ran in Salmon Arm and Kelowna. She is one of 482 graduates who will earn credentials at the college’s two winter convocation ceremonies in Kelowna on Saturday.
The winter convocations are the first of the college’s eight ceremonies that take place this year. Students from all four campuses will cross the stage in Kelowna to receive their credentials. The college will confer 61 bachelor’s degrees, 34 associate degrees, 271 diplomas and 116 certificates.
The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and the afternoon ceremony at noon. Both ceremonies will stream live on the college’s Facebook page.
“There is a huge need for healthcare assistants across the province,” said Angela Godler, chair of the program. “Not only is it an in-demand career, but the program offers opportunity for personal growth through the education process and a rewarding career as a caregiver.”
New programs start in February in Oliver, February and October in Vernon, May in Salmon Arm, and May and August in Kelowna.
The health-care assistant program is one of eight health and social development programs that will be housed in the college’s new $18.9-million Health Sciences Centre, now under construction and slated to open in fall 2020.