Health and Social Development
Careers in health care and social development provide a meaningful way to meet the needs of families and communities. The Okanagan region’s population and demographics provide diverse learning opportunities in a range of fields. Practical-oriented programs prepare students for careers in health and social development settings, including hospital and community nursing, long-term care, home care, social services, non-profit societies, children’s daycare and more.
                        
  
            Our students, your health
      
  
            
        
                                    
Health Sciences Centre fundraising campaign kicks off to support student learning and construction underway.
                        
  
            Meet an instructor
      
  
            
        
                                    
Certified Dental Assistant instructor Joanne Gibbons-Smyth uses technology in her innovative approach to teaching.
Explore programs
- Legend:
 - Full program offered
 - Partial program offered
 - Credential
 - International students
 
        Access to Practical Nursing Diploma
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
 - Diploma
 
        Certified Dental Assistant Certificate
- Kelowna
 - Certificate
 
        Early Childhood Education (ECE) Infant Toddler Certificate
- Kelowna, Vernon, Distance
 - Certificate
 
        Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate
- Penticton, Salmon Arm
 - Certificate
 
        Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma
- Kelowna, Vernon, Distance
 - Diploma
 - International students
 
        Health Care Assistant Certificate
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
 - Certificate
 
        Human Service Work Diploma
- Kelowna, Salmon Arm
 - Diploma
 - International students
 
        Kinesiology Diploma
- Penticton
 - Diploma
 - International students
 
        Pharmacy Technician Certificate
- Kelowna
 - Certificate
 
        Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Analytics
- Kelowna
 - Diploma
 - International students
 
        Practical Nursing Diploma
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm
 - Diploma
 
        Recreation Therapist Assistant Certificate
- Kelowna
 - Certificate
 
        Therapist Assistant Diploma
- Kelowna
 - Diploma
 - International students
 
                        
  
            Explore our departments
      
  
            
    
    
                
                
    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
    
                        
  
            Certified Dental Assistant
      
  
            
        
                                    
Our department provides education and training required for registration with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. The certificate program is fully accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada.
                        
  
            Early Childhood Education
      
  
            
        
                                    
Professionals in the field of Early Childhood Education are committed to caring for all children within the contexts of both the family and the community. Child caregivers are trained to understand the developmental needs of children from birth to age twelve.
                        
  
            Health Care Assistant
      
  
            
        
                                    
Training provided in this certificate program prepares you for a health-care career responsible for providing direct client care. This includes assistant clients with daily living such as daily personal hygiene, nutrition and mobility.
                        
  
            Human Kinetics / Kinesiology
      
  
            
        
                                    
Study health and exercise sciences to become a community leader in sport, recreation, fitness and wellness.
                        
  
            Human Service Work
      
  
            
        
                                    
Build and maintain healthy relationships and increase inclusion for vulnerable individuals within your community.
                        
  
            Pharmacy Technician
      
  
            
        
                                    
Pharmacy Technicians are allied health-care professionals trained to perform administrative, clerical and pharmacy-related tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
                        
  
            Practical Nursing
      
  
            
        
                                    
Learn hands-on person-centred care as you become a leader in health care.
                        
  
            Therapist Assistant
      
  
            
        
                                    
Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Recreational Therapists require staff to help with the wide range of client needs in rehabilitation.
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            Discover
      
  
            
        
                                    
Join an info session or become a student for a day.
                        
  
            Connect
      
  
            
        
                                    
Have your questions answered by our experts.
                        
  
            Apply
      
  
            
        
                                    
Take the next step and enrol in a program or course at OC.