This is the first of two work experience components of the Health Care Assistant program. This supervised practice experience provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all other courses in the program with individuals in a multi-level or complex care setting. A portion of this clinical experience will be devoted to working with individuals with dementia. Opportunity will be provided for students to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within a residential care facility. Students must meet all of the requirements prior to entering this clinical practice (see Work Experience Guide and your instructor for details.) It may also be necessary to have an interview with the host organization, as well as agree to the terms within the training plan, before being accepted at the site. Your instructor and Placement Coordinator will have met with you while classroom studies were still being delivered. An orientation activity on-site (e.g. search and find activity) when possible for important items and information at the clinical site. Pre- and post-conference sessions are held where students gather with the clinical instructor to discuss topics and issues related to their clinical placement. Students are encouraged to identify scenarios where they faced a challenge related to communication with a client, family member, or staff member and how they used the problem-solving/decision-making process to identify and analyze the problem. Students are also assigned to maintain a reflective journal of their experience where they record observations, challenges, and other information which can be used to synthesize their learning.

This course introduces students to the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily 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-centred practice as it relates to the common challenges to health. While learning about specific health challenges, the role of the HCA and how it may change in the acute care setting (depending on client acuity and intensity) is addressed.

In this course, students will explore common challenges to health, particularly with person-centered, end-of-life care. The course provides students with the necessary resources and tools to respond to the needs of the dying and their families, using practical strategies, stories of caregiving, and real-life scenarios. Students will increase their confidence and competence in providing compassionate care for the dying.

This is the second of two work experience components of the Health Care Assistant program. This practice course provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all other courses with individuals and families in a community setting. Opportunity will be provided for students to become more familiar with the role of the HCA within a home support agency, assisted living facility, and/or a group home, and to gain abilities that will prepare graduates for employment in these settings. It is important that students understand the philosophy of community care settings and its emphasis on client choice and independence. Students must meet all of the requirements prior to entering this practicum (see Work Experience Guide and your instructor for details.) It may also be necessary to have an interview with the host organization, as well as agree to the terms within the training plan, before being accepted at the site. Your instructor and Placement Coordinator will have met with you while classroom studies were still being delivered. Students will maintain a reflective journal of this work experience, conduct a safety assessment, and prepare a report of the challenges and person-centred goals they have developed for a client. At the conclusion of this work experience, students will return to the college for a de-brief session.

This course builds on content from other courses to assist students in exploring concepts and caregiving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive challenges (and decline) and demonstrating effective approaches to disruptive or abusive behaviours. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours and identifying person-centred intervention strategies.

This course covers using Microsoft Outlook. This course will present the Microsoft Outlook application interface, tools and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling and calendars, contact lists, creating forwarding and managing messages.

This course helps students get organized, set priorities and goals, and prepare a final version of their resume, find and follow employment leads, prepare a letter of application, solidify the definition of their skills and abilities, and practise with mock interview situations. Students will also research and be provided resources to assist them in identifying current job openings, focus on the working environment they prefer, and have realistic expectations for entering an exciting new career as an HCA.

This course gives the student an introduction to the fundamentals of keyboarding. This course will help the students reinforce their English language skills and develop their ability to key and compose information, develop the proper keyboarding techniques and skills.The gradual pace of this course will help the students develop both speed and accuracy while applying the proper keyboarding techniques and position. Students will also develop their proofreading techniques and improve their word processing techniques in a windows environment.

This course builds on content from other courses to assist students in exploring concepts and caregiving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing mental challenges and also care for the family (other than dementia, which is covered in BC-HCA-COG). Students learn about the causes and treatments for some of the more common mental health disorders, appreciate the myths and stigmas associated with them, as well as distinguishing cultural perceptions. The course addresses current issues in mental health care, such as applications of the Mental Health Act, suicide risks and prevention, and general principles of mental health care and the various health care settings. It is important to note this is only an introductory course that introduces the field of mental health and how the HCA is involved within the healthcare team.

The workplace of the twenty-first century demands excellent communications skills. The focus of this course is on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication.

Mental health first aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis is resolved. Mental Health First Aid Basic is a 12-hour course focused on adults interacting with adults in all environments. The course discusses the following mental disorders: substance-related disorders, mood-related disorders, anxiety- and trauma-related disorders, and psychotic disorders. Critical first aid skills for the following situations are learned: substance overdose, suicidal behaviour, panic attack, acute stress reaction, and psychotic episode.

Students will be provided with an overview of the Canadian legal system, legal institutions and the structure of the Canadian court system. Students learn about the history of Canadian law, including an analysis of the development of the Canadian constitution. The Legal Professional Act and the Rules of the Law Society of British Columbia will be discussed with a view towards professionalism and ethics in the field. There will be an examination of the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal profession. Students will learn how to interpret statutes and will attune their skills in legal reasoning. The Doctrine of Precedent, along with current issues, and developments in Canadian law will also be overviewed in this module. The process of law reform, the Law of Equity and how to distinguish case law and Stare Decisis will also be covered.

Throughout the HCA program, students are introduced to the acute care environment in their theory and lab coursework. It is the health authority employers who are responsible for providing HCAs hired into acute care settings with opportunities for structured and ongoing mentorships in order to transition them effectively into this environment. This course acts as a summary of the acute care content incorporated into the HCA program and presents the realistic expectations of an HCA’s role and the specific role in your local health authority. A representative from a regional health authority will describe the scope of an HCA’s practice in an acute care setting and the employment skills and potential jobs in the area. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and have opportunities to demonstrate or practise any tasks they feel need improvement.

In this module students learn about the day-to-day organization, management and procedures of a legal office. The latest developments in office technology are presented and practically applied as students draft standard legal documents (agreements, statements of claim and defense, letters and memos). Students are also introduced to the important skills of timekeeping, filing and the effective use of communication systems (telephone, fax). Law office and trust accounting concepts and procedures are covered. One of the most highly valued abilities of legal administrative assistants and paralegals is that of being able to prioritize, organize and multitask workloads. Students learn these important skills in tandem with problem solving and critical thinking skills development.

This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. The course is comprised of class and supervised laboratory experiences, which assist the student in integrating theory from other courses to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts. The course is structured into seven modules (and 24 sessions) to allow flexible scheduling through the program.

The focus of this course is on civil litigation. Students learn the steps for opening and maintaining a litigation file and the British Columbia court litigation stages and procedures. Familiarization is built with different types of damages and claims as well as the procedures for proving a claim. Students gain experience preparing all relevant documents (for pre-trial and trial proceedings). Proceeding to trial is also covered, along with the procedure for actions (in Provincial Court and Civil Division). Mediation and settlement are introduced.

This course introduces students to common types of medications and how the HCA can assist with these medications with clients for clients who are able to direct their own care. In all aspects of medication administration, the role of the HCA is clearly defined, including the principle of delegated tasks. Students learn to read labels and understand documentation used (e.g. MARs); observing and reporting untoward effects of clients to medication; the rights of assisting with medications and the individual’s rights to refuse; and legislation (Mental Health Act) related to medication administration. Students earn a certificate, Assisting with Medications for Assisted Living, upon successful completion of (1) this course; and (2) Module 6 Session 22 (Personal Care and Assistance course) on assisting with medications – this module should follow this theory course.

This course introduces the family court system in British Columbia. Students become familiar with Provincial and Supreme Court documentation and procedures used to bring issues of marriage, separation, divorce, custody/access, child welfare, adoption, maintenance and property to resolution using the legal system. The Family Relations Act and the Divorce Act are covered. Students gain experience in completing a contested divorce file. Child Support guidelines are also covered.

The Student Practice Education ‘Core’ Orientation (SPECO) is a mandatory online course for all students who will be completing HCA practicum placements. Students are directed how to access the course during this session, and facilitation from your instructor while it is being completed. This orientation has 12 sections with short videos and learning activities. Once completed, the student will receive a certificate from the college.

This course focuses on the substantive law of real estate. Students are introduced to basic conveyancing procedures. The registration system in British Columbia is covered, along with other forms and documents related to transfer/deed, charge/mortgage, and discharge of charge/mortgage. The structure of a real estate sale is illustrated. Students also learn the requirements when acting for the vendor or acting for the purchaser. Students also gain knowledge about closing a real estate transaction.

Students are introduced to the incorporation and organization of a British Columbia company. There will be an overview of the British Columbia Business Corporation Act (by which the BC Company Act was repealed), the Society Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Canada Corporations Act. Guidelines and procedures for selecting a corporate name are covered. Student understanding of corporate by-laws and corporate structure is built, along with the typical requirements of corporate meetings, minutes, resolutions and the duties of directors and officers. Students use legal precedents to prepare articles of incorporation and corporate by-laws. Experience is gained with routine filings and resolutions. Students learn how to set up and maintain corporate records (Records Book as well as the transitions to the new Business Corporations Acts). Corporate securities, records and changes are also covered.

In this introductory course, students learn about the nature, purpose, scope, sources and basic principles of criminal law. The Criminal Code of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are discussed. Students review the basic elements of a criminal offence and the practical procedures utilized throughout a client's arrest, trial, sentencing and appeal. Jurisdictional issues are presented, along with the process for jury election. There will also be a discussion of evidence.

In this foundation course, students learn about wills and estates planning, estate succession, testacy, intestacy, requirements of a valid will and execution procedures. There is an introduction to the roles of the Executor and Trustee. Students learn about the Notice to Beneficiaries, Living Wills, Power of Attorney and Representations Agreements. Assets, inheritance and estate inventory are also presented.

This course is an overview of the laws of negligence and various types of torts including false imprisonment, assault, battery, defamation, nuisance, recovery of pure economic loss.

Students learn about the formation of partnerships and general concepts underlying incorporations. The fundamental principles of contract law and various types of contacts are overviewed including an offer, acceptance, certainty, intention, consideration, privity, capacity, public policy, frustration, breach, misrepresentation, mistake and remedies.

This course provides students with an overview of Canadian insurance law including the structure of the industry, insurable interests, valuation, subrogation, contribution and indemnity and duty to disclose. Agents’ duties and responsibilities, form and formation of the insurance contract; the claims process and British Columbia Auto Insurance issues are also covered. This course also focuses on personal injury practice and relevant substantive law and procedures required to manage a personal injury file.

Research and analytical skills are developed in this course. Students gain an understanding of research design, data gathering, analysis and reporting. The studies of primary and secondary research materials are covered, along with how to correctly cite sources, case law, statutes, regulations and legislation. Students will prepare a legal research memorandum, read case briefs and legal documents, use encyclopedias, annotated reports, law reviews and case comments. Internet research is also covered extensively, along with how to locate decisions and statutes. Students learn about various types of interviews and increase their expertise in conducting interviews. Students also learn about how laws and statutes are made (first reading, second reading), hone their legal reasoning and legal problem solving skills.

In this course, a continuation of Litigation Procedures II, students learn about the enforcement of judgments, the use of precedents in litigation and further their understanding and knowledge of alternative dispute resolution. Students deepen their understanding of the law-making process, the use of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and procedures in Small Claims Court and Supreme Court of British Columbia. This course also prepares students to draft motion of notice and affidavit.

This course advances student understanding and knowledge of the differences between reporting and non-reporting companies. Students analyze agency relationships, liabilities and methods of securing financial transactions and acquiring assets. Different types of financial arrangements, the nature of security, credit devices, priorities and assignments are covered. There is also a review and consolidation of the structure of businesses, their creation and the requirements for their transfer. The procedures involved in various commercial transactions from the opening of a file to the closing are presented. Students become familiar with typical documentation dealing with a variety of commercial transactions: commercial leasing, commercial financing of real and personal property, and commercial sales.

The nature of mortgages, features, legal and equitable interests, principles of interest, priorities, assignment, extinguishment, insurance issues, and payout strategies are covered in this course. A continuation of Real Estate Law and Conveyancing I, property law concepts, the land title system, undertakings, conflict of interest, contract of purchase and sale, and tax issues are also covered. Students also learn about the Personal Property Securities Act, validity of security agreements, rights of parties and theory, concepts, procedures and forms. Students also gain knowledge of commercial conveyancing matters and the role of the conveyancing assistant.

This course, a continuation of Criminal Law and Evidence I, covers interviewing techniques and investigation procedures with regards to criminal offenses, examination techniques (direct and cross), the creation and maintenance of a criminal file. This course also includes the gathering of information, obtaining a retainer, completing documentation, billing and reporting. There is also a review of law of evidence and the evidentiary statement.

An overview of The Wills Act and the Administration of Estates Act are covered. This course also covers the roles of the Executor and Trustee.

This course provides an overview of common law, legislation, and international treatises and conventions impacting intellectual property (focusing on copyright, patents, and trademarks). Students are also introduced to the concepts, practice underlying the management and enforcement of intellectual property rights.

This course presents the laws and procedures related to debtor's and creditor's rights. Students learn about builders' liens, applicable statute law and provincial legislation. The procedural rules to bring a simple debt action, file a debt action and file a writ of enforcement are overviewed. Students review the means of enforcing a judgment and realizing on personal property security. Both Provincial Court and Supreme Court procedures are analyzed. Students learn about the process for garnishing wages and bank accounts.

This module is for course credits but has no grade. Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as regular employees in order to gain the valuable real-world experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory. This in an unpaid experience.