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. The role is intended to support the care team and the clients. Their role adds to the quality of life for the clients by spending one-to-one time with clients and helping care team members by freeing them up to provide more time providing clinical support to the clients.
If you have questions, please refer to the list of can/cannot do duties, to your job description, or speak to leadership.
Who can I ask if I have questions about my work schedule as an HCSW?
Speak to your supervisor. You will be studying full-time, and taking work shifts during your school holidays.
How do I get a photo identification card?
We will take your photo during the orientation, and mailed to you. You can expect to receive it in the mail in approximately 10 days.
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, you are paid a stipend of $930.00 based on a full-time work week (37.5 hours). (current as of April 2024)
Who do I ask if I have a question about my pay cheque?
Speak to your timekeeper.
Can I take vacation?
You may request up to 10 unpaid leave of absence days during the work portion of your program. Speak with your supervisor to get approval. If you require time off, including for illness, while completing the education portion of your training, please discuss this directly with your PSI.
If you were already employed by home support before starting the HCAP program, you may request vacation as per the normal process.
What happens if I am sick?
If you are ill during your work or education component, please stay at home.
If you were already employed with Fraser Health home support 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, your stipend pay is not adjusted.
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, your stipend pay is not adjusted.
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.
Is my position as a health care support worker unionized?
All Fraser Health health care support worker positions are unionized position under the collective agreement with the British Columbia General Employees Union or UFCW, depending on the site to which you are attached.
How will I accrue seniority?
How will I accrue seniority? As a new hire to Fraser Health, you will accrue seniority during the work component of the program only. If you previously held a position within Fraser Health home support prior to commencing the HCAP program, any hours spent in the work or education component will be included in seniority accrual.
Do I pay union dues?
Yes, union dues are deducted from your pay.
Where can I find my pay and benefit information, and update my personal information if needed?
If you work for Fraser Health home support, 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.