Continuing Care

Overview

Our province needs more people like you who want to become a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) to enhance the quality of life for individuals of all ages with a short or long-term illness through the provision of personal care and support services.

CCAs are critically important in the health-care sector and in-demand. The Nova Scotia Government increased the wage of the CCA by 23% in the past to support the role of CCA.

Clinical placement

• This program includes mandatory clinical placements that may take place in long-term care/home support and/or acute care environments.
  • Clinical placements can include weekday, evening, weekend and/or holiday shifts. Shifts range from 6-12 hours and start times vary, with some beginning at 7 am and 11 pm.
  • Clinical placements are mandatory credit courses. They provide you with the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and understand the everyday challenges of a work environment.
  • Placement opportunities are typically unpaid.
• Transportation, living accommodations and other costs related to clinical placements are your responsibility.
  • In order to meet placement partner requirements, students are required to provide their own transportation to placements. Public transportation will not provide you with full access to your scheduled placements.
  • Due to confidentiality issues, in some areas, students are unable to have others drive them to their home care placements.
• For more information visit work experience opportunities.
• International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details

Choose NSCC

• You benefit from our hands-on approach to learning.
• You learn the latest practices and standards of care. NSCC works in partnership with healthcare stakeholders and the provincial government in implementing the provincial curriculum standards for Continuing Care Assistant education.

Other info

• All placements must be successfully completed in order to graduate.
• Placement agencies may require an interview before accepting students for work experience.
• Work in this field is demanding and your ability to practice effective self-care strategies is essential for your success.
• The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness requires all workers entering this field, in defined care settings, to have a Continuing Care Assistant certificate. Students who successfully complete all components of the Continuing Care program are eligible to write the provincial certification exam, which is administered by the Continuing Care Assistant Program Advisory Committee (CCAPAC)

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Annapolis Valley Campus Middleton	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Burridge Campus Yarmouth	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Burridge Campus Classes at Digby Learning Centre	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Cumberland Campus Classes at Amherst Learning Centre	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Ivany Campus Dartmouth	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Kingstec Campus Kentville	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Kingstec Campus Kentville	Part time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Lunenburg Campus Bridgewater	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Pictou Campus Stellarton	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Shelburne Campus Shelburne	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Strait Area Campus Port Hawkesbury	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Sydney Waterfront Campus Sydney	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Truro Campus Truro	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available
Truro Campus Truro	Part time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View document and language requirements by country
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before the first day of the program.
• A criminal record and vulnerable sector check are required for admission to this program.
  • Findings related to violent crimes or offences will not be considered for admission. Other findings will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
• Canadian nationals, or individuals living in Canada for 7 months or more are required to submit a Canadian Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).
  • The Canadian CRC and VSC can be from any Canadian province issued within 6 months prior to starting the CCA Program. Non-violent convictions will be determined on a case-by case basis.
  • Newcomers with 6 months or less time in Canada are required to submit their Police Clearance Check (i.e., Federal Background Check used for immigration). Non-violent convictions will be determined on a case-by case basis.

Program requirements

• A current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check are required to complete work placements. A conviction may impact your ability to complete program requirements.
• All programs in Health and Human Services require First Aid/CPR as a graduation requirement. For specific program requirements, view additional Health and Human Services program requirements
• Many Health and Human Services programs have additional requirements, including immunizations. You must submit proof that you've completed these requirements by the date provided to you at the beginning of your program. View additional Health and Human Services program requirements
  • Receiving immunizations may take up to 10 months to complete.
  • Failure to complete immunizations can result in a delayed work placement, which will impact your ability to complete program and graduation requirements.
• Inability to complete clinical placements and mentorships will impact your ability to complete program requirements and proceed through to graduation. 
• In order to meet placement partner requirements, students require a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle. Public transportation will not provide full access to your placements and due to confidentiality, you cannot have someone else drive you to your placement.
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.
• Pass mark for this program is 70%.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College Services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View estimated program costs on fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Continuing Care
  

Career options

Graduates work in a variety of private or clinical settings, which may include:

• Client residences
• Long-term care facilities
• Home support agencies
• Acute care facilities

Future study options

• Graduates can go on to complete the Practical Nursing program to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.