Presented to:
BC Care Providers Association
30th Annual Conference, Whistler, BC
May 6, 2013
Presented by:
Bruce Bell, Director, BC CACHWR
E-mail: bruceb@healthmatchbc.org
Phone: 604-714-2268
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Role and Mandate of the Registry
 To protect vulnerable patients, residents and clients.
 To establish and improve standards of care in the
care aide and community health worker occupations,
now called Health Care Assistants (HCAs).
 To promote professional development for care aides
and community health workers (HCAs) and to assist
these workers in identifying career opportunities.
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The Care Aide Registry took effect on Jan.29, 2010.
As of May 2013, the Care Aide Registry has
registered 46,000 Care Aide Workers.
This number includes the following:
 Health Care Assistants currently working full time, part time
or casual.
 LPN/PNs who work as HCAs as well as RN/PN students who
have completed the first two semesters of their training.
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Process for Removal from the Registry
 Employers report alleged abuse HCA cases to the Registry
 Registry removes HCA from active registry list
 Suspended or terminated
 Back to active registration
 Investigation
 Remain de-registered
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Employers Abuse Reporting Form
Available at www.cachwr.bc.ca.
Click on:
Employer Information
Reporting a Violation
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Reported Alleged Abuse Cases
To date the Registry has been notified regarding
185 alleged abuse discipline cases.
The Registry has five investigators.
 Lisa Hansen
 Paula Butler
 Jean Greatbatch
 Kate Young
 Elaine Doyle
Of the 185 alleged abuse cases 54 have gone to an
investigator appointed by the Registry.
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Alleged Abuse Reports
 185 alleged abuse cases reported
 84 suspensions for abuse
 101 terminations for abuse
 54 registry investigations
 8 HCAs permanently remove from the Registry after an investigation
 30 HCAs returned to the Registry after remedial conditions fulfilled
 37 HCAs removed from the Registry and not disputed by the union
or individual
 10 employer/union resolved the issue in the grievance procedure
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The Registry: A Review
 The Review was announced in June 2012. Final report
released on March 21, 2013.
 It is a model to support Health Care Assistant (HCA)
professions, oversee unregulated health workers, and ensure
patient safety and quality care.
 Health Care Assistants (HCAs) were formerly known as Care
Aides & Community Health Workers.
 The first registry in Canada designed to track and address
cases of alleged abuse.
 The Registry has been developed and implemented through a
phased approach.
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On-going Commitment
 Developing and implementing the Registry model would not
have been possible without the support of all the stakeholders
– Educators, Employers, Unions and Senior Advisory Groups.
 The Ministry of Health remains committed to the Registry
model and looks forward to working with its partners to
continue strengthening the Registry.
 Expanding to the private sector.
 Strengthening the Registry Advisory Committee by adding a
Ministry of Health representative.
 Enhance the protection mandate to the vulnerable.
 Potential alternative funding options.
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Report Findings
The recommendations in the review report cover four broad
areas for improvement:
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1.
The enabling framework
2.
Governance
3.
Gaps in the protection mandate
4.
The funding model
Action Plan
 High level response to recommendations focused on
short, medium and long term actions
 Sets the direction
 Stakeholder involvement will be critical
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1 – The Enabling Framework
 Assess implications of expanding Registry mandate to include
private sector
 Possibility has existed since the onset, and raised by both BC
Ombudsperson and in the review
 Better protection of vulnerable individuals
 Some private Employers are already requesting to participate
 Educators are encouraging all students to register
 Will be pursuing discussions with all stakeholders regarding
challenges with existing model re: disentangling LR/Registry
issues to inform discussions with the Unions
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2 – Governance
 Review how to strengthen the Registry Advisory Committee’s
role in governance
 Ensure there is a clear process to raise and address
issues/concerns within the Committee
 Bring Ministry of Health representative to the table to ensure
alignment with government priorities and progress with items in
the Action Plan (role TBD – i.e. Member or ex-officio)
 Support communication strategies flowing from the Registry
Advisory Committee
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3 – Protection Mandate
 Protection of vulnerable individuals should be the key
goal/interest of all parties
 Assess privacy issues raised in light of need to protect
public
 Need to balance interests of others
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4 – Funding Model
 No significant changes to the funding model are planned in
the short-term.
 Assess funding options for additional costs to those located
outside of the lower mainland
 Assess protocols for investigator costs and the possibility of
more standardized processes
 Before considering any changes, it is necessary to
understand the implications of expanding the Registry
mandate to include the private sector.
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Ongoing Development
As part of the phased approach, the Registry will be moving
forward with the development of Educational processes,
including:
 Finalizing and implementing the Education Recognition
process for BC HCA programs
 Developing a pilot of the proposed PLAR process for
those without certification from a recognized BC HCA
program
 Hiring a full-time Education Assessment Officer
 Implementing any necessary changes resulting from the
review of the provincial HCA competencies and curriculum
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Looking Ahead
 Actions outlined in the Registry Action Plan are dependent
on meaningful participation on the part of key players
 Implementation will depend on feasibility and collaboration
with Unions, Employers, Educators, and other stakeholder
groups
 Roll-out will look at short, medium and long term strategies
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the role of the appointed investigator?
A. The primary role of the investigator is to make a
recommendation to the Registry regarding the HCA
status with the Registry.
Q. Is the investigator’s decision binding with respect to
placement/removal on/from Registry?
A. The investigator’s decision is binding with respect to
placement/removal from the Registry. Unionized
employees have the right to pursue the matter in
arbitration under the applicable CBA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q.
At an investigation is the employer expected to advocate for
removal from the Registry?
A.
No, the employer’s responsibility is to assist the investigator
and provide the facts that led them to the decision to
terminate the employee. The decisions on membership with
the Registry rests exclusively with the investigator.
Q.
Does the investigator have any other role?
A.
The investigator can with the parties concurrence mediate the
employee’s termination of employment. In doing so, the
investigator may be required to look at the broader
employment relationship to make a recommendation in the
resolution of the dispute to the satisfaction of the parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q.
As an employer, should I check with the Registry before
offering employment to a HCA?
A.
By registering with the Care Aide Registry as an employer,
you can look online to verify whether a HCA is registered
or not.
More information is available at www.cachwr.bc.ca
BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry
200 –1333 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4C6
Toll free phone: 1-877-867-3222
Toll free fax: 1-877-494-3222
Website: www.cachwr.bc.ca
Email: register@cachwr.bc.ca

Bruce Bell, Project Director
Email: bruceb@healthmatchbc.org
Phone: (604) 714-2268

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Elizabeth Thow, Administrative Assistant
Email: elizabetht@healthmatchbc.org
Phone: (604) 742-5505