Health Care Assistant

1. Successful completion of Grade 10. Grade 11 is strongly recommended and/or adult student status;

2. A copy of Government Issued ID

3. School Reports or the results of an English Placement Exam. (IELTS, CELPIP, CLB PT)

4. An English Self-Declaration Form

5. A Completed Application

6. Criminal Record Check Completion test.

Additional Requirements for Practicum Placement

Prior to Clinical Placement for modules HCA 8 and HCA 9 which are required for Registration, the individual will be required to:

1) Student Confidentiality Form

2) Clear Criminal Record Check

3) Complete a TB skin test

4) Complete a Health Status Declaration/provide an up to date immunization record

5) Food Safe Certification

6) Standard First Aid/CPR

7) WHMIS Certification

8) Violence Prevention

9) Assisting to Administer Medication Test

Admission Recommendations

1) Volunteering or Experience working with an older populations

2) Volunteering in a Residential Care Facility

3) Volunteering with Special Needs Population

HCA 1: Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice [70 hours]

This module provides the student with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for their practice. Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understanding that provide a foundation for competent practice as a health care assistant. The module focuses on concepts of caring and person centered care, basic human needs and human development, family, culture and diversity as they relate to health and healing. Students will also be introduced to a problem solving model that will be critical to their practice.

Assignment 1 – 30%
Assignment 2 – 20%
Mid-term – 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 2: Health 1: Interpersonal Communications [50 hours]

This module focuses on the development of self awareness, increased understanding of others and development of effective interpersonal communication skills that can be used in a variety of caregiving contexts. Students will be encouraged to become more aware of the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They will have the opportunity to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect and active listening skills.

Assignment – 1 25%
Assignment – 2 25%
Assignment – 3 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 3: Health 2: Lifestyles and Choices [30 hours]

This module introduces the students to a holistic concept of health and the components of a health enhancing lifestyle. Students will be invited to reflect on their own experience of health, recognizing challenges and resources that can impact lifestyle choices. Students will be introduced to a model that can be applied in other modules to understand the multifaceted aspects of health and healing.

Assignment 1 –  25%
Assignment 20 –  25%
Assignment 3 – 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 4: Introduction to Practice [30 hours]

This module provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia Health Care system. Students will be introduced to the health care team and the roles and functions of the HCA within the team. Students will also have opportunities to develop self reflective skills required for competent practice.

Assignment 1 – 25%
Assignment 2 – 25%
Assignment 3 – 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 5: Healing 1: Caring for the Individual Experiencing Common Health Challenges [115 hours including 35 hours in lab]

This module introduces students to the normal structure and function of the human body and normal body changes associated with aging. Students will explore common challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system. Students will also be encouraged to explore person centered practice as it relates to the common challenges to health.

Assignment 1 – 10%
Quiz 1 – 20%
Quiz 2 – 20%
Quiz 3 – 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 6: Healing 2: Caring for the Individual Experiencing Cognitive Challenges [60 hours including 10 hours in lab]

This module builds on content from other modules to assist students to explore concepts and care given approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive and mental challenges. Emphasis is on recognizing behaviours and identifying person centered intervention strategies.

Assignment 1 – 20%
Assignment 2 – 10%
Assignment 3 – 20%
Assignment 4 – 20%
Final Exam – 30%

HCA 7: Healing 3: Personal Care and Assistance [120 hours including 80 hours of lab]

This module focuses on practical application of personal care skills and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. The module is comprised of class and lab experiences which assist the student to integrate theory from other modules to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of Individuals in community and facility settings. During this module students will complete supportive certifications as listed following HCA 10.

Midterm – 10%
Exam – 10%
Final Exam – 15%
Scenario Based Skills Checks & Checklist Completion – 65%
Complete Lab Checklist prior to successful Completion

HCA 8: Clinical Experience in Complex Care and Cognitively Challenged areas [210 hours]

This is a supervised clinical experience. The students will have the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all of the previous modules in complex care facilities. A portion of this clinical will provide the student with the opportunity to work with clients who are experiencing cognitive decline. Opportunity will be provided for the student to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within a complex care facility.

Orientation Assignment – 5%
Assignment 1 – 25%
Assignment 2 – 25%
Midterm Assessment – 10%
Student Self Assessment – 5%
Professional Rubric – 30%
HCA Skills Summary Checklist – Met or Unmet
Practice Education Learning Outcomes Verification – Met or Unmet

HCA 9: Clinical Experience in Assisted Living and/or Home Support [60 hours]

This is an instructor monitored clinical experience. The students will have the opportunity to work with clients in an assisted living and/or home support setting. The student will become more familiar with the role of the HCA within these settings and gain abilities that will prepare the graduate to assume the role of a community health care worker.

Evaluation Complete or Incomplete

HCA 10: Standard First Aid / CPR level C and Foodsafe [24 hours]

The students will have the opportunity to learn how to create a resume and to effectively attend an interview. The student will become familiar with the types of questions asked during interviews as well as how to best answer those questions.

Evaluation Complete or Incomplete

HCA APPLICANTS

*All HCA program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency LEARN MORE :

Applicants who were Educated in English:

Submit official transcripts from secondary or post-secondary institutions indicating:

1. English courses with a “C” or higher
2. Minimum Grade 10 English (Grade C or higher)
3. College courses determined to be equivalent to completion of Grade 10 English (or higher) Report of English Test
4. Results from a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) or Language Placement Index (LPI).

Applicants who were Educated in Another Language:

Submit of one of the following test scores: (Test must be written in the past 2 years)

1. TOEFL: Overall score of 76, minimum 20 in Speaking &Listening and 18 in Reading & Writing.
2. IELTS : Overall score of 6, minimum 6 in Speaking and Listening and 5.5 in Reading and Writing.
3. CLB PT: Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6 and Writing 6. (must be written in the past year)
4. CAEL: Overall Score of 60, with no section less than 50.

English Language Self-Declaration Form

Application Form

HCA+Interview+Sheet

Health Care Assistant Program Outline