CCA Career
What is a Certified Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)?
CCAs provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to individuals of all ages in a variety of care settings to promote health and independence. Certified CCAs hold a provincial certification from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) provide vital services to people who need support in their daily lives. As a CCA, clients depend on you to support care, safety, well-being, and enrich their quality of life by providing personal care and other activities to help them live well. You also help clients participate in meaningful activities, including social interactions and recreation.
Although you will often work independently, as a CCA, you are always part of the care team. As a CCA, you can work in a variety of health care settings including a nursing home, residential care facility, a person’s homes or you may work in a hospital setting. As a part of the care team, you may provide input on an client’s care plan; monitor, report, and respond to changes in the client’s health or behaviour; collect data for client assessment and care planning; and you may support end-of-life care.
CCAs have a challenging and rewarding job; they support clients at different – and sometimes difficult – stages in their lives. Clients will rely on you, as a CCAs, to support them during these times; this support is much more than just physical, it includes responding to difficult emotional situations with compassion and dignity.
For more information about the role:
• Review the CCA SoP and Competency Framework
Resources
• Review the Health Care Profile videos below:
Can you see yourself helping an elderly person? Or making a difference for someone who is sick?
If so, you may find your passion as a CCA.
Providing compassionate care is physically and emotionally demanding. Respect for each client’s privacy and dignity is critical, as are active listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude. A CCA must be responsible and accountable, able to work well independently and as a team member. Providing care is a round-the-clock responsibility. You should be prepared to work nights, weekends, holidays, and split shifts at times.
To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
DR. SEUSS
American author
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