Continuing Care

Start Date: September
Length: 1 Year
Credential: Certificate
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Graduates are able to walk out of NSCC right into a job.

Tom Smith

Grad - 2009

Become a competent and compassionate care worker enhancing the lives of the individuals and communities you serve.

Program Overview

Are you a compassionate individual who cares about the well being of others? Are you able to be flexible and adapt to varying work schedules? As a Continuing Care Assistant, you will provide respectful, empathic ethical care and support to vulnerable citizens in your community. This program will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this rewarding career.

Choose NSCC


  • NSCC, through years of experience, has earned its reputation as a leader in providing hands-on education in Continuing Care.

  • NSCC works in partnership with health care stakeholders and the provincial government in implementing the curriculum standards for continuing care assistant education throughout all of Nova Scotia.

  • As a learning-centered college, all activities support the creation of an educational climate that promotes learning. NSCC provides an opportunity for learners to develop a portfolio reflective of their educational, career and life goals.

Employment Opportunities


  • The Nova Scotia Department of Health requires all workers entering this field in defined care settings to have a Continuing Care Assistant certificate.

  • NSCC Continuing Care graduates can be confident that their education and training will provide employment opportunities within their scope of practice in various health care settings.

Our Grads


  • Graduates provide direct supportive care to individuals challenged by disability or illness across the lifespan.

  • Graduates work in a variety of private or clinical settings, which may include the client’s residence, long term care facilities, home support agencies and acute care facilities.

Admission Requirements


  • High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.

Program Requirements

Health & Human Service Student Requirements – Additional program requirements are outlined in the Admissions section. Instructions on how to complete these requirements will be provided with your acceptance notification.


Other Info


  • Clinical Placements and Work Experience Mentorship in both long term care and home support agencies must be successfully completed in order to graduate.

  • Specific immunizations are required.

  • Placement agencies may require an interview before accepting students for clinical experience.

  • Students will be required to provide their own transportation to clinical placements and to the work experience mentorship.

  • Due to confidentiality issues, learners are unable to have others drive them to their home care placements.

  • Shift work is an integral part of this occupation and clinical placements and mentorships may be scheduled during any time segment of the day and week.

  • Physical demands include moving and lifting others as well as spending long periods of time on one's feet.

  • Problem solving skills are necessary to respond to stressful situations.

  • There is an administration fee payable to the Continuing Care Assistant Advisory Committee office that is collected with your tuition.

  • Students who successfully complete all components of the Continuing Care program are eligible to write the provincial certificate exam, which is administered by the Nova Scotia Continuing Care Assistant Program Advisory Committee.

  • Students are required to complete the program and write the certification exam within two years of their program start date which is registered with the Continuing Care Assistant Program Advisory Committee.

Courses May Include

Course descriptions
Code Course
COMM 1227   Communications I
COMM 1228   Communications II
COMP 1217   Computer Applications I
CONC 1001   Personal and Professional Development
CONC 1002   Body Mechanics and Activity
CONC 1003   Personal Care
CONC 1004   Household Management
CONC 1005   Nutrition and Meal Preparation
CONC 1006   Body Structures, Functions & Related Health Issues
CONC 1007   Mental Health and Social Issues
CONC 1009   Palliative Care Front-Line Education (PCFLE)
CONC 1040   Long Term Care Clinical
CONC 1070   Clinical (Home Support) I
CONC 1200   Alzheimer Disease & Other Related Dementias
CONC 2070   Clinical (Home Support) II
CONC 2500   Long Term Care Mentorship
CRIS 1020   Introduction to Crisis and Intervention Strategies
GDEV 1001   Human Life Cycle
SAFE 1000   Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
SAFE 1001   Introduction to NS OH&S Act

Additional Graduation Requirements

Code Milestone
  Criminal Record/Position of Trust
  Basic Food Safety Training
  Immunization form Completion
  Portfolio Development
  Standard First Aid, CPR Level C

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