Program Courses
BC-HCA-CP / Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for practice. Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice as an HCA. The course 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.
IMA199 / Immigration Practicum
This five-week practicum allows students to practise what they have learned in the program in real-life settings such as law firms, immigration practices or government immigration services. This time allows students to apply theory and skills learned while also observing professional in practice.
BC-HCA-COM / Health 1: Interpersonal Communications
This course 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 opportunities to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills.
BC-HCA-LC / Health 2: Lifestyle and Choices
This course introduces 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 courses to understand the multi-faceted aspects of health and healing.
BC-HCA-CHC / Healing 1: Caring for Individual Experiencing Common Health Challenges
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.
BC-HCA-MNT / Healing 2: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Cognitive and Mental Challenges
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.
PD-WHMIS / WHMIS
This course/session provides an introduction to the Health Care Assistant program by providing an overview of the courses, work experience components, schedule, and expectations of students. The course also provides an overview of the provincial curriculum’s values, beliefs, and principles; purpose; and learning outcomes. Guest presenters (e.g. graduate of the HCA program, employer of HCAs) will be available for presentation, questions and answers, and the steps required to work as a health care assistant in any public health setting in BC – including registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
HCA300 / Home Support / Assisted Living Practicum
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 and gain abilities that will prepare graduates to assume the role of a community health worker.
BC-HCA-PROF / Introduction to the Health Care Assistant Program
This course/session provides an introduction to the Health Care Assistant program by providing an overview of the courses, work experience components, schedule, and expectations of students. The course also provides an overview of the provincial curriculum’s values, beliefs, and principles; purpose; and learning outcomes. Guest presenters (e.g. graduate of the HCA program, employer of HCAs) will be available for presentation, questions and answers, and the steps required to work as a health care assistant in any public health setting in BC – including registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
HCA500 / Career and Employment Strategies
Students review core program concepts and learning in order to market their skills effectively. Students will have the use of our Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers with your resume. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews.
M1260 / Teaching Life Skills / Group Process
During this module students will be presented with a simulated experience in which they plan and teach some basic life skills for those who may be living with disability, disorder, or limited resources. Students will be challenged to apply knowledge of group work while remaining focused on the goals. Students will be required to facilitate and search out needed supports and resources to aid the family and/or the individual to meet their basic needs. This module will introduce the students to different roles played by individuals when working with a group.
SSS4 / Student Success Strategies
Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume and learn how to write effective cover letters.
M1263 / Development Across the Lifespan - Birth to Adolescence
This module will address human development from conception through adolescence. The psychology and physiology of growth and development are examined. Students will learn about fetal development and the effect of teratogens on an unborn child.
M1265 / Working within the School System
This module deals with physical, social and emotional growth and development during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Students will explore human needs in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. This module also introduces common disorders for school-aged children. Students will focus on various aspects of learning disabilities and mental challenges. Further exploration will lead the student into the world of autism and Aspergers Disorder with a brief look at Fetal Alcohol Effects. Emphasis will be placed on facilitating children with these disorders in a structured setting or classroom while maintaining the least restrictive environment.
M1270 / Advanced Health Issues
To aid in their understanding of developmental disabilities, this module starts with an introduction to genetics. Following the study of genetics, students will gain a better understanding of disorders such as Fragile X Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, and Down Syndrome. Knowledge of these disorders will aid those looking to pursue a career caring for individuals with developmental disorders.
M1280 / Advanced Behaviour Management and Mental Health
This module will address the philosophy of behavior management, non-aversive behaviour management, and non-violent intervention. There is a focus on the issues surrounding mental health, taking an extensive look at personality disorders and Schizophrenia. This module will develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career as a mental health worker.
M1295 / Recreational Program Planning
Facilitating recreational activities, using many different forms, are discussed in this module. Students learn to create program plans for various age groups and facility settings, utilizing appropriate therapeutic modes and maintaining a focus on emotional and cognitive goals of clients with special needs. This module takes a holistic view of assisting in the fulfillment of client needs.
CES4 / Career and Employment Strategies
This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identifyemployment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the work place and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.
M1299 / Practicum III: Adolescent Care
This five week, unsupervised learning experience will integrate the knowledge and skills acquired throughout this program. Students will work with children, adolescents, and/or young adults in non-clinical settings such as schools and community centers by providing physical and emotional management and support.