A career in the healthcare field, offering care and comfort to individuals in long-term care or community settings can be highly rewarding. If you have a desire to provide client-focussed assistance to those in need, you may be well-suited for a career as a Health Care Assistant.
Cranbrook Campus
Fernie Campus
Program Overview
With our aging and growing population, Health Care Assistants are in demand. This 27-week program covers the knowledge, skills and abilities you require in order to provide personal care to others. With 9 weeks of supervised practical experience, you will have the opportunity to put the theory you have learned into practice and gain the skills you need to for a successful career.
This program is offered at our Cranbrook campus beginning in September each year, and at the following regional campuses:
Cranbrook Campus Start Date:
Fernie Campus Start Date:
Graduates can acquire the skills and knowledge to:
Semester 1 addresses the theoretical foundations for care with practical applications in the lab and/or residential settings. Students must achieve a minimum grade of 70% in all theory courses to continue into Semester 2.
Semester 2 offers supervised clinical placements.
To receive the HCA certificate the student must achieve a minimum of 70% on all theory courses and a pass grade on all clinical evaluations.
Course Descriptions
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.
This course provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia health care system. Students are introduced to the health care team and the roles and functions of the HCA within the team. Students also have opportunities to develop self-reflective skills required for competent practice and will be introduced to effective job-finding approaches.
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 care-giving contexts. Students are encouraged to become more aware of the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They have the opportunity to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills.
This course introduces students to a holistic concept of health and the components of health-enhancing lifestyles. Students are invited to reflect on their own experience of health, recognizing challenges and resources that can impact lifestyle choices. Students are introduced to a model that can be applied in other courses to understand the multi-faceted aspects of health and healing.
This course introduces the students to the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students explore common challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system. Students are also encouraged to explore person-centered practice as it relates to the common challenges to health and, in particular, to end-of-life care.
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and care giving approaches that allow the student to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive or mental challenges. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviors and identifying person-centered intervention strategies.
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the Health Care Assistant role. The course is comprised of class and supervised laboratory experiences. The aim of this course is to assist 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.
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 is provided for students to become more familiar with the role of the HCA within the Home Support Agency, Assisted Living Facility and/or a Group Home, and to gain abilities that 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.
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/complex care setting. A portion of this clinical experience is devoted to working with individuals with dementia. Opportunity is provided for students to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within the Long Term Care Facility.
Admission Requirements
*Practicum based learning is an essential component of this program. A criminal record may reduce an applicant’s access to the program and/or to required practicum opportunities. Applicants disclosing a criminal record are guided to explore other options. Depending on the nature of the offence, options may include applying for a pardon. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the student.
Your Costs
| Tuition: | $2164.59 |
| Application Fee: | $30.0 |
| Student Association Fee: | $62.1 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.8 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $229.5 |
| Total | $ |
*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change.
| Tuition: | $9720.0 |
| Application Fee: | $100.0 |
| International Fee: | $100.0 |
| Student Association Fee: | $62.1 |
| Bus Pass Fee: | $88.8 |
| Health and Dental Fee: | $229.5 |
| Total | $ |
*These prices are for international students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change.
Delivery Method:?
On-campus
Credential:
Certificate
Categories: Health & Human Services
Interests: Work With My Hands, Care for Others, Start or Run Your Own Business, Teach Others, Not Have a Desk Job, Get in, Get out, Get a Job
2700 College Way
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca
342 - 3rd Avenue
PO Box 1770, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
Phone: 250-423-4691
Toll-free: 1-866-423-4691
Email: fernie@cotr.bc.ca