vcc.ca
HRCA 2261: Communications for Health Care Assistants 4
Effective date
May 2026
Department
Health Care Assistant Int'l
School
Health Sciences
Description
Students continue to receive professional communication skills instruction as they build on the skills developed in clinical. Professional communication skills are refined and applied in conjunction with topics in the Health Care Assistant Term 4 curriculum through real-world communication tasks relevant to the healthcare setting, including clinical. Students' professional communication skills continue to be enhanced in class and in clinical while providing care for extended care clients in a complex care setting. Students also continue to develop their intercultural competence to support success in their studies and in the workplace in a Canadian setting. Upon completion of this course, students have the communication skills to provide personal care for clients in a complex care setting and to interact professionally and appropriately with clients and health team members.
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:
- Communicate appropriately in class and in a Canadian complex care setting by competently applying intercultural communication skills.
- Apply effective strategies to understand unfamiliar written materials and spoken information in a complex care setting.
- Use and respond to HCA Term 4 professional terminology accurately.
- Respond effectively to verbal and written information, including explanations, questions, requests, and directives in class and in a complex care setting.
- Clearly and accurately report and document client information in a complex care setting.
- Apply job search techniques to meet their career plan.
- Prepare for and complete a job interview related to their career goals.
- Demonstrate professional behaviours both in class and lab.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 10
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 40
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 40
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, group and individual activities, online activities, discussions, simulation.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Interactive communication assignments |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Written assignments |
|
Assignments |
30 |
|
|
Participation |
10 |
Participation in class based on a rubric. |
Course topics
- 1. Job search skills 2. Employment interviews 3. Resume, cover letter, and job application 4. Intercultural communication skills and strategies for effective and appropriate professional communication including handling challenging workplace situations in a complex care setting 5. Documentation of client information
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.