Health Care Assistant Program will start on February 18, 2025, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm (Monday to Friday).
Health Care Assistant Program:
The HCA program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Under the direction and supervision of a regulated health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.
Upon completion of the HCA program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings including home support, assisted living, group homes, complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care.
Purpose of the Health Care Assistant Program:
Under the direction and supervision of a regulated health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
Upon completion of the HCA Program, graduates will be able to:
Program Learning Outcomes and Performance Indicators:
Program Entry Requirements:
Prerequisites for HCA Practice Education
Note: Practice education partner sites may also impose additional training or certification standards prior to placement. Therefore, students must ensure they meet the practicum requirements of the site where they will undergo their practicum including all the online orientation courses required by the Health Authority.
Note: Students who do not meet the immunization requirements may be prohibited from attending practice education experiences given particular Health Authority.
Delivery Method: In Class Delivery
Career Opportunities: Upon completion of the program, the graduates are prepared to work in many settings including home support, assisted living, adult day care, complex care, and special care units.
Program Duration: 745 Hours
Program Outline:
Course Name | Minimum Course Hours |
HCA1010 – Concepts for Practice | 70 hours |
HCA1020 – Introduction to Practice | 30 hours |
HCA1030 – Interpersonal Communications | 50 hours |
HCA1040 – Lifestyle and Choices | 30 hours |
HCA1050 – Common Health Challenges | 115 hours |
HCA1060 – Cognitive and/or Mental Challenges | 60 hours |
HCA1070 – Personal Care and Assistance | 120 hours |
HCA2020 – Practice Experience in Multi-level | 210 hours |
HCA2030 – Practice Experience in Assisted Living | 60 hours |
TOTAL MINIMUM PROGRAM HOURS | 745 HOURS |
HCA 1010 – 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-centred care; basic human needs and human development; and 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.
HCA1020 – Introduction to Practice
This course provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia health care system. Students will be introduced to the health care team and the roles and functions of HCAs within the team. Students will also have opportunities to develop self-reflective skills required for competent practice and will be introduced to effective job-finding approaches.
HCA1030 – 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.
HCA1040 – 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.
HCA 1050 – 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 and, in particular, to end-of-life care.
HCA 1060 – Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and caregiving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive or mental challenges. Emphasis is on recognizing behaviors and identifying person- centered intervention strategies.
HCA 1070 – 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 is comprised of class and supervised laboratory experiences which assist the student to integrate theory from other courses to develop care-giver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts.
HCA2020 – Practice Experiences in a Multi-level or Complex Care facility
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 experiencing dementia. Opportunity will be provided for students to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within a complex care facility.
HCA2030 – Practice Experiences in Home Support and/or Assisted Living
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.
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.
If you’re an educational professional who are looking to progress into Health Care or development role, this is the best degree for you.
Prerequisites for HCA Practice Education
The following are to be completed prior to the first practice education experience:
Disclaimer
Westminster College is currently not accepting applications from international students residing outside of Canada, nor from individuals within Canada who require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to apply for a study permit.
International students or temporary residents in Canada may apply to programs that are six months or shorter in duration, or that can be completed within six months. As per Immigration Canada regulations, study permits are not required for programs of this length.
Thank you for your understanding. Please check back regularly for updates regarding our application policies.
Sincerely,
Westminster College
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info@westminstercollege.ca
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