Activity Assistant
Physical activity is important to overall health, at any age. If you’re a Health Care Assistant or Resident Care Aide who is looking to help provide individual and/or group activities to your clients, you’re a good fit for the Activity Assistant program. This program is designed to provide continuing education for individuals with previous health care education and experience.
Enhance your employment prospects and develop the skills, knowledge, and values you need to plan and implement, with supervision, individual and group activities for older adults who are experiencing cognitive and physical challenges.
An Associate certificate will be awarded after successful completion of three online theory courses and one face-to-face practicum course completed at a selected site.
Program Overview
This program is delivered online over a four-month period, allowing most students to continue working while completing the program. Upon completion, you will be qualified to work as an activity assistant, under the supervision of an appropriate health care professional, in facility and community care settings such as adult day programs, assisted living, long-term care, and seniors’ centres. Common job description titles include activity assistant, activity aide, recreation assistant, and recreation worker.
View Activity Assistant Associate Certificate Program Outline
To apply for this program, contact the Creston Campus directly.
Course Descriptions
AAP-111 – Framework for the Activity Assistant Role
This course assists students in understanding their role as an Activity Assistant. Building on previous knowledge, the students are introduced to the concepts of holistic health, wellness, and activity and explore the interplay between the 5 domains of health and activity.
- Minimum Credits: 1
- Length: 20 hours
- Prerequisites: Admission to the Activity Assistant Associate Certificate Program.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Course Outline
AAP-112 – Activity for Well Being
This course builds on AAP 111 to assist students in gaining the knowledge and skills that will allow them to function effectively in the Activity Assistant role. The course emphasizes a client-centered approach and effective communication skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities that promote optimal well-being of clients, both individually and in groups. The significance of purposeful activity is examined, while considering the influence of personal interests, values, self-concept, and cultural perspective on activity preferences, and participation.
- Minimum Credits: 2
- Length: 30 hours
- Prerequisites: AAP 111
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Course Outline
AAP-113 – Programming Activities for Clients with Dementia
This course builds on AAP 111 and AAP 112. Students will develop an understanding of various forms of dementia with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease, detailing the corresponding symptoms and disease progressions. This course applies program planning and implementation principles to clients experiencing dementia and cognitive decline. A brief overview of depression and delirium and suitable activities are discussed.
- Minimum Credits: 3
- Length: 40 hours
- Prerequisites: AAP 111 and AAP 112
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Course Outline
AAP-114 – Practicum
This course provides the student with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the Activity Assistant theory courses while working with older adults, individually and in groups. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate competency in program planning, implementation, and evaluation for diverse participants including individuals with cognitive and physical limitations. Additionally, students will demonstrate their proficiency in completing and maintaining documentation and assessment records that contribute to the delivery of client-centered care within an interdisciplinary care team.
- Minimum Credits: 6
- Length: 120 hours
- Prerequisites: AAP 111, AAP 112 and AAP 113
- Delivery Method: ? Practicum
- Course Outline
Practicum 114 site examples: Long Term Care, Extended Care, Adult Day
Program, Acute, Home or Community Care. For students working in settings where Activity Assistants are employed, consideration may be given on an individual basis and with approval of instructor and student’s workplace supervisor, to gain an acceptable variety of experience during their work schedule
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirement:
Graduation from a recognized institution in health care assistant, or equivalent, rehabilitation aide, kinesiology, paramedicine, or nursing. Other health related education or experience will be considered.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to meet the College of the Rockies English Language Proficiency Standard.
Non-Academic Requirements:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program.
- Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure Agreement
Computer literacy is recommended.
Practicum Requirements:
- CPR Level C certification, current for the duration of the program. Acceptable CPR courses must include a face-to-face component and may be combined with a first aid course
- One of the following first aid certifications:
- St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid Workplace Emergency First Aid
- St. John Ambulance Emergency First Aid Red Cross Standard First Aid
- Lifesaving Society Emergency First Aid Emergency Medical Responder
- Lifesaving Standard First Aid Primary Care Paramedic
- Occupational First Aid Level 1, 2 or 3 Advanced Care Paramedic
- Red Cross Emergency First Aid BC Critical Care Paramedic
- FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate
- BCCDC Immunizations for BC Health Care Workers
- Annual influenza immunization
- Negative TB testing result (must be completed no earlier than 8 months before beginning of practicum
- COVID-19 Vaccinations
Your Costs
Tuition and Fees:
Please contact the Creston campus for information on tuition and fees.
Career Info and Pathways
When you enhance your Health Care Assistant/Resident Care Aid training with the Activity Assistant certificate, new career opportunities arise, including:
* High Demand Occupation
Program Details
Delivery Method:?
Online, Off-site
Credential:
Associate Certificate
Categories:
Continuing Education Program, Health & Human Services
Interests:
Care for Others, Continuing Education Program, Get in, Get out, Get a Job, Start or Run Your Own Business, Teach Others
Contact Details
Creston Campus
301 – 16th Avenue
PO Box 1978, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0
Phone: 250-428-5332
Email: creston@cotr.bc.ca
