vcc.ca
HRCA 2210: Common Health Challenges 4: Specialized Areas
Effective date
May 2026
Department
Health Care Assistant Int'l
School
Health Sciences
Description
The final Common Health Challenges course in the Health Care Assistant Diploma Program introduces two specialized areas within Continuing Care: palliative/end of life care and the care of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Throughout this course, students will integrate concepts from previous studies, including diversity in health, healing and caregiving, culturally safe and sensitive care, ethically and legal considerations, head to observations, and personal care and assistance principles. Building on their prior learning, students will continue to deepen their understanding of the Health Care Assistant role in providing holistic and person centered care to diverse clients in various care settings.
Credits
2.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
HRCA 2120.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the components of person centered end of life care for clients and families.
- Describe common neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Discuss legal and ethical practices in various settings and strategies to navigate ethical and legal requirements in the HCA role.
- Apply principles of cultural safety and humility to provide holistic, culturally respectful end-of-life care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, by integrating traditional health practices and aligning care with the recommendations from the In Plain Sight report and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Total Hours: 30
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Lecture
Discussion
Online and group activities
Discussion
Online and group activities
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
25 |
Quizzes |
|
Assignments |
25 |
|
|
Exam |
25 |
Exam |
|
Exam |
25 |
Exam |
Course topics
- Person centered end of life care. Neurodevelopmental disorders and community living. Diverse perspectives including Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA health perspectives. Culturally sensitive practices that consider diversity factors such culture, ethnicity, generation, socio-economic status, religious/spiritual beliefs, gender identify, gender expression, sexual orientation. Limitations and obligations of the HCA role in end of life care and community living.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.