Program Courses
BC-HCA-CHC / 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.
Students will explore person-centred care as it relates to end-of-life care in HCA-PALL20 Caring for Individuals in Palliative Care, as an extension of HCA-CHC Common Health Challenges.
BC-HCA-CPE1 / Practice Experience in Multi-Level or Complex Care
Pre-requisites: All theory courses in the 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 complex care facility.
Students must meet all practice experience requirements prior to entering this clinical practice (see HCA Program Student Handbook for details.)
SSS4 / Student Success Strategies
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and study techniques to help foster effective learning and a positive educational experience. This course explores many different theories on learning and studying and how these theories can be applied to each student’s individual studying methods in order to develop a method that is both effective and efficient. Effective study habits and productive note-taking are key topics in this course, as well as the importance of values and goals. Through active participation in learner-centred activities, students will explore and practice strategies for setting personal goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and managing the stress that arises in school or work situations. This course will also equip students with a sound understanding of matters related to finance, credit, and debt and the critical implications they have on our lives. Students taking this course will complete the Enriched Academy program, which provides comprehensive coverage of financial and money management skills that will allow them to better save, budget, and manage their money and financial situations.
BC-HCA-PALL / Healing 1: Caring for Individuals in Palliative Care
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.
BCAO / Business Computer Applications
This course presents an introductory look at the Microsoft Office 2016 productivity applications Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access, and the Windows environment in which they run. It covers the fundamentals of organizing files and folders, of drafting business documents, of creating presentations, of reporting data in spreadsheets, and of querying data in relational databases. This course relies entirely on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts by practicing them on a regular basis and obtaining feedback immediately.
BC-HCA-CPE2 / Practice Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living, or Group Home Settings
Pre-requisite: All theory courses in the program; BC-HCA-CPE1: Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care 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, or a group home 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 the importance of client choice and independence.
BC-HCA-COG / Healing 2: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Cognitive Challenges - Dementia
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.
MOXE / Microsoft Outlook
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.
BC-HCA-CES / Career and Employment Strategies
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.
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.
KBF4 / Keyboarding
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.
EBW4 / Effective Business Writing
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.
PD-MHFA / PD-MHFA: Mental Health First Aid Basic
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.
BC-HCA-ACU / The Acute Care Environment
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.
LAW1014 / Introduction to the Study of Law
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.
BC-HCA-PCA / Personal Care and Assistance
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. The course comprises class and supervised laboratory experiences, which assist the student to integrate theory from other courses to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of clients in community and facility contexts.
LAW1024 / General Legal Office Procedures and Documentation
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.
BC-HCA-MED / Personal Care and Assistance: Assisting with Medications for Assisted Living
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.
LAW1034 / Litigation Procedures I
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.
PD-SPECO / Standard Practice Education Core Orientation
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.
LAW1044 / Family Law Procedures
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.
LAW2014 / Real Estate Law and Conveyancing
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.
LAW2024 / Corporate and Commercial Law
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.
LAW2034 / Criminal Law and Evidence
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.
LAW2044 / Wills and Estates Planning
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.
LAW3014 / Law of Torts
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.
LAW3024 / Contract Law
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.
LAW3034 / Insurance Law
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.
LAW3044 / Legal Research and Interviewing
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.
LAW3054 / Litigation Procedures II
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.
LAW3064 / Corporate and Commercial Law II
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.
LAW3074 / Real Estate Law and Conveyancing II
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.
LAW3084 / Criminal Law and Evidence II
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.
LAW3094 / Wills and Estates Planning II
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.
LAW4014 / Intellectual Property
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.
LAW4024 / Credit and Collection Procedures
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.
PLGL199 / Practicum II
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.
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”.
