Health care assistants (HCAs) make a tremendous difference in our lives. HCAs may have many different job titles, including:
The one thing all HCAs have in common is that they provide frontline personal care and assistance services to vulnerable patients, clients and residents.
Meet three of our HCAs at Interior Health.
Years of service: 12
Worksite: Three Links Manor
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral territory: syilx
Advice to live by: “Live and let live.”
Dwayne Schroeder has spent 12 years with Interior Health as a health care assistant (HCA), but if he had his way that number would be a lot higher. “I wish I would have started earlier,” he said.
After Dwayne’s previous career in the food industry ended, he was on the hunt for a new opportunity. His wife suggested he enrol in the Health Career Access Program because he is great with people. It’s clear that Dwayne was wise to follow his wife’s advice.
“I did very well in the course and after graduation I was able to gain employment with Interior Health,” Dwayne said. “I have loved it ever since.”
It’s the day-to-day interactions that really make Dwayne appreciate his career.
“I have remained a HCA mainly because of the people I work with (everyone works together as a team) and the people I care for; I love helping other peoples’ parents and grandparents,” Dwayne said. “I really do enjoy my work.”
My proudest moments are when I can make a resident smile by just walking in the room. When I come to work and someone tells me ‘so and so has been asking for you all day,’ it really makes me feel good to know that I can make someone’s day.
Years of Service: 10
Worksite: Cottonwoods Care Centre
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: syilx
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Be the reason someone smiles today. Never stop learning because life never stops teaching.”
Manilyn Dantes is a care aide / health-care assistant born and raised in the Philippines. She’s been working and living in the Central Okanagan for more than 10 years.
Manilyn has grown her career at Cottonwoods Care Centre in Kelowna, supporting residents and assisting with daily activities that encourage maximum independence.
During her time at Cottonwoods Care Centre, Manilyn has been drawn to the person-centered philosophy that the centre’s team embodies. She has learned how to support people’s choices, help them function at their highest level, and provide them with the best quality of life.
Manilyn was first inspired by the results she saw in those in her care. With her resourceful and reliable nature, she witnessed the positive outcomes of her work, and how it directly affects the lives of residents. Seeing those results encourages her to continue her work.
“It’s important to me to build connections with those in my care, to stay by their side and to get to know them so I can learn about them and give them exactly what they need,” she shares.
I chose this career because I get lots of satisfaction from helping people, from responding to their needs and from making a positive difference in people's lives.
Years of Service: 12
Worksite: Three Links Manor
Community: Kelowna
Ancestral Territory: syilx
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: “Live, laugh, love.”
Since Nicole Fournier was a young girl, she always wanted to be a nurse. She was born and raised on the coast and has been in Kelowna for more than 20 years.
She became a health care assistant (HCA) with the plan of getting her start in nursing and eventually become a wound care nurse. However, Nicole found her work as an HCA enjoyable.
Nicole said her workday is a little different from a typical HCAs. She focuses on bathing residents at Three Links Manor. She bathes five people before 11:30 a.m., and then after a break she’s on the floor helping wherever she can: laying people down, changing people and stocking tub rooms.
“One of the most interesting stories I have was meeting a gentleman who was a pilot and flew a 747,” Nicole says. “He told me all the different places he had been to and what his favourite places were to fly to. There are so many stories I have heard over the last 11 years as a care aide, so it’s hard to really just pick one.”
I love caring for and helping people. Sometimes you become close to residents… I mainly enjoy the one-on-one time with residents.
Have you thought about a career as a health care assistant at IH?
Sign up to receive the Stories@IH email digest twice a week to your inbox.
A highly skilled registered nurse, Bettina was the missing piece needed to increase health-care services for residents in the hidden gem of Blue River.
/stories/we-are-ih-remote-practice-rn-loves-different-aspects-nursing
Your emergency kit should always include critical supplies like water, food, and a wind-up radio, but you can also add items that are unique to your situation.
/stories/whats-your-kit-packing-emergency-kits-or-grab-and-go-bags
On July 1, 2025, Dr. Robinson will celebrate 10 years as a urologist at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH).
/stories/we-are-ih-decade-care-rooted-community
Doug Berry says he is thankful for the travel support through Cancer Travel and Accommodation Services (CTAAS) program.
/stories/canadian-cancer-society-lodge-eases-patients-treatment-journey
Meet 2 IH volunteers who are making a difference in their communities. Teresa volunteers at RIH; Lee Reid of Nelson is active in the seniors' community.
/stories/ih-volunteers-help-strengthen-our-communities
With her dedication to clinical excellence & inclusive care, Dr. Hilary Brotherhood isn't just a physician, but a trusted community member & thoughtful leader.
/stories/we-are-ih-providing-compassionate-urologic-care-kootenays
Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!
