Stage two: Understanding your new role and general workplace information.
My role as a health care support worker
The health care support worker role is non-clinical and non-direct. Your role is intended to support the care team and the residents. Their role adds to the quality of life for the residents by spending one-to-one time with residents and helping care team members by freeing them up to provide more time providing clinical support to the residents.
If you have questions, please refer to the HCSW can/cannot do list, refer to your job description, or speak to your site leader.
Who can I ask if I have questions about my work schedule as an HCSW?
Speak to your manager or program clerk at the site you are working. Employers are obligated to schedule work hours around the education part of the program.
How do I get a photo id?
If you are a Fraser Health employee: You should have been provided one in your orientation. If you did not receive one, please ask your program clerk or manager for one as you are required to wear it whenever you are working.
If you are working at an affiliate or non-affiliate site: speak to your site leader or manager.
How does my pay work?
You will be paid $24.80 per hour when you are working as a Health care support worker. When you attend school full-time, you are paid a stipend of $930.00 per week. (current as of April 2024)
Who do I ask if I have a question about my pay cheque?
Speak to your site manager.
Can I take vacation?
You can request up to 10 unpaid days off during the work portion of your program. These requests must be approved by your manager. Any request for time away from school, including time away due to illness, should be discussed directly with your school. Your salary includes a portion for holiday pay and benefits.
If you were already employed by the facility before starting the program, you may request vacation as per the normal process. Please speak to your manager with regard to this process.
What happens if I am sick?
If you are ill during your work, please stay at home. Please follow your site’s reporting process to ensure your employer is aware of the reason for your absence.
If you were already employed with your facility prior to becoming a health care support worker, and have accrued sick time, you may access your bank for any sick time during your work component. If you are ill during the education component where you would normally have attended school, please notify your school.
If you are a new hire as a health care support worker, you do not have access to sick pay during your work component. If you are ill during the education component where you would normally have attended school, please notify your school.
Am I entitled to benefits?
Any new hires to Fraser Health are considered casual employees and may elect to purchase Dental and Extended Health (PBC) coverage following completion of 180 hours of work. Once you have reached these hours and are interested in pursuing the self-paid option, please contact Benefits & Employee Information at 604-520-4420 or by e-mail at PIB@fraserhealth.ca.
Any new hires to affiliated and non-affiliated facilities will need to discuss the specific collective agreement or employment terms of the facility with the manager.
Is my position as a health care support worker unionized?
All Fraser Health health care support worker positions are unionized positions under the Facilities Bargaining Association collective agreement (Hospital Employees Union).
Check with your manager to determine your status as an employee of an affiliated and non-affiliated facility. Some are unionized and others are not.
How will I accrue seniority?
As a new hire to a Fraser Health owned and operated facility, you will accrue seniority during the work component of the program only. If you previously held a position within the facility prior to commencing the HCAP program, any hours spent in the work or education component will be included in seniority accrual.
As a new hire to an affiliated or non-affiliated facility, you need to check with your manager to answer this question.
Do I pay union dues on the stipend?
Yes, union dues are deducted from the stipend as required.
This does not apply to non-unionized affiliated and non-affiliated facilities.
Where can I find my pay and benefit information, and update my personal information if needed?
If you work for a Fraser Health facility, you may access your pay and benefit information by clicking the myFHInfo button on the Pulse landing page then logging in. You may also access your pay and benefit information from home by clicking here. You can make updates to your personal information on myFHInfo as well.
If you work for an affiliated or non-affiliated facility, please check with your manager to learn where you can find your pay and benefit information, and how to update your personal information if needed.