Upon completion of the Health Care Assistant Program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client.
- Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being of clients and families.
- Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
- Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
- Interact with other members of the healthcare team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
- Communicate clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways with clients and families within a variety of community and facility contexts.
- Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner.
- Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs.
- Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner.
Instructional Activities, Design and Delivery Mode
The program is divided into three levels. Each level consists of theory, laboratory practice, and/or clinical experience. The theory component is delivered through discussion groups, student presentations, lectures, online activities, demonstrations and guest speakers. Students apply the theory component in the laboratory and clinical settings.
Level one (15 weeks, 21.5 credits) is taught in the classroom, laboratory, and an introductory clinical experience in a complex care facility. This level introduces a basic framework for care-giving practice in the continuing care setting. The concept of caring is the focus.
Level two (4 weeks, 6.0 credits) is taught in the classroom and laboratory. This level provides advanced skills to care for the person with dementia and/or mental illness and lab skills for care-giving in various contexts, including acute care.
Level three (9 weeks, 9.0 credits) is taught in an extensive complex care clinical and a community practicum. This level consolidates application of learning into care-giving practice.
Program Duration
The Health Care Assistant Program is twenty-eight weeks in length.
Evaluation of Student Learning
Theory courses are evaluated by written exams, assignments, and/or completion of a journal. Laboratory and clinical performance is assessed by instructor observations of students in work experience situations. All courses are evaluated consistent with the College Grading System.
Students must achieve at least a C+ in every course in order to proceed to the next level, or to graduate from the program.
Attendance of all classes and laboratory experiences is required in order to truly understand and master the theoretical and practical components behind the Health Care Assistant role. Per the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry students may not miss more than 15% of scheduled classroom, laboratory and/or clinical experiences. Where students exceed this maximum, the College may withdraw the student from the program. Additionally the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry require students to demonstrate 100% attendance of the program’s community practicum experience.
Program one-pager
