Health Care Assistant - Certificate
Overview
The Health Care Assistant Program will support you in developing the confidence, knowledge and skills required to provide safe care and contribute to the physical, emotional and social well-being of clients in a variety of health care settings.
Funding opportunities are available!
Blended Online and In-Person Training
During the first 16 weeks, you will complete theory classes either online or in person, followed by in-person lab courses on the Trail Campus. For the final ten weeks of the program, you’ll complete 270 hours of practice in residential and community care settings. We offer flexible study options to help you make it work. Contact Admissions for further details.
As a graduate, you will be a respected member of the health care team and work under the direction and supervision of a health professional.
This program has been granted a full, five-year recognition by the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry. Graduates of the program are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Take this program if you are:
- Caring
- Genuinely interested in people
- Comfortable dealing with difficult situations
- Easily adaptable to diversity
- A good communicator
- Self-motivated and responsible
A Career with Impact
Prepare for a career in:
- Adult day care
- Assisted living
- Community health workers
- Complex care
- Front-line care providers
- Home support
- Residential care attendants
- Special care units
Special Costs and Travel
Students are required to have uniforms and footwear that comply with WorkSafeBC standards. Driver's license or access to transportation for practicum placement is required. Clinical placement shifts range between the times of 6:30 am and 11 pm. Student must have reliable transportation to attend shifts as scheduled.
Clinical and practicum placements are arranged on the basis of student learning needs and available learning experiences. It is not possible to comply with the personal and travel requirements of individual students.
High School Dual Credit Opportunity
Take the HCA Program in your Grade 12 year starting at Selkirk College for our winter intake. Access free tuition—depending on school district. For more information, reach out to your high school counsellor or our Recruitment Team.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client
- Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being of clients and families
- Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges
- Provide care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges
- Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals
- Communicate clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways with clients and families within a variety of community and facility contexts
- Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner
- Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs
- Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, the applicant must meet the following Health Care Assistant Program requirements to be considered fully qualified:
a. Proof of Grade 10 completion (or equivalent) OR mature student status
b. Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements
(1) For applicants with three years of full-time instruction in English*: English 10 completion or equivalent
(2) For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score.
*Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution3 on the list of Approved English-Speaking Countries. Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.
- Completed HCA program application form.
- Completed computer knowledge self-assessment form. To be successful in coursework and support job readiness, students need to possess basic computer skills including navigation of the internet, file management, accessing online information, email, and word processing.
- Three completed personal references from counsellors, employers, instructors, or supervisors.
- Official transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary education; an interim transcript statement is acceptable if the applicant is currently taking a prerequisite.
- All students must submit a Criminal Record Check (CRC) clearance letter by the Criminal Record Check from the Criminal Records Review Program, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults.
- International students must also submit a clear police certificate from the country of origin before acceptance, given that HCA students provide care to vulnerable clients within the program's practice education portion. To avoid potential hardship for students arriving from another country, the police certificate is an admission requirement. For further information, see information provided at: http://https//www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/service….
Application Process
Before an application is considered complete, the following must be received by the Admissions Office:
a) Completed application form.
b) Official transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary education; an interim statement is acceptable if the applicant is in school or upgrading.
PRE-PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
Evidence of completion of the following must be submitted to the Admissions office or program designate before the first practice education experience. All Evidence must be current and valid.
a. First Aid Certification
b. CPR Level "C" Certification or "Basic Life Support (BLS)" Certification
c. Foodsafe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
d. Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) checklist
e. Completion of the Selkirk College Health & Human Services immunization form
Promotion to Term 2 requires satisfactory completion of all theory and lab courses in Term 1 with a “C” or greater and a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Courses
HCA100 - Program Foundations
HCA 100 Program Foundations introduces learners to the Health Care Assistant Program structure and how to navigate the learning management system and other pieces of technology utilized in the program. An overview of the curriculum, teaching and learning approaches and strategies are introduced and discussed. Students are introduced to the function of the BC Care Aid and Community Support Worker Registry and supported by instructors in learning threshold concepts to prepare them for the course requirements.
HCA101 - Concepts for Practice
HCA 101 Concepts for Practice 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.
HCA102 - Introduction to Practice
HCA 102 Introduction to Practice 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.
HCA103 - Interpersonal Communications
HCA 103 Interpersonal Communication 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.
HCA104 - Lifestyle and Choices
HCA 104 Lifestyles and Choices 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.
HCA105 - Common Health Challenges
HCA 105 Common Health Challenges 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.
HCA106 - Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges
HCA 106 Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges 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 and/or mental health challenges. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours, and identifying person-centred intervention strategies.
HCA107 - Personal Care and Assistance
HCA 107 Personal Care and Assistance is a practical course that 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.
HCA108 - Practice Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living, and/or Group Home Setting
HCA 108 Practice Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living, and/or Group Home Setting is a practice course that 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.
HCA109 - Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care
HCA 109 Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care is a 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.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic
International
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
Policy
Effective Term:
Fall, Winter
Effective Year:
20240801
Advanced Standing:
A student may obtain credit for a maximum of 75% of program requirements by Transfer Credit, Advanced Placement, Prior Learning Assessment or combination thereof. See Policy 8614: Advanced Standing – Course Challenge, PLA, and Transfer Credit.
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Re-Entry Instructions:
1. Students in good standing who are required to withdraw for personal or compassionate reasons may apply for re-entry the next time the program is offered; admission is subject to seat availability.
2. Students must complete the entire program within 24 calendar months of initial entry. Re-entry applicants who cannot meet this deadline will not be readmitted.
3. Returning students who have completed HCA 107 will be required to successfully complete a Directed Study course prior to commencing HCA 108 & HCA 109. The Directed Study will be developed by the Program Coordinator, instructor, and student to address identified learning needs.
a) The associated tuition fee for the Directed Study course is determined by the Registrar’s Office.
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Assessment:
Grading
Standard Academic and Career Grading Table for HCA 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 107; Competency Based Grading Table for HCA 108 and 109.
In HCA 100, students must complete all required activities to be granted credit.
HCA 101-106 requires a minimum grade of 70% to pass each course.
In HCA 107, students must show competence in psychomotor skills to pass HCA 107 and progress to practice education courses. If a student is not successful in demonstrating competency upon the first attempt, they may attempt the skills test one additional time after individual remediation. If a student is unsuccessful on the second attempt, they are not eligible to pass HCA 107 and will be required to repeat this course.
To receive credit in 108 and HCA 109, students must demonstrate competency in the program outcomes identified on page 1 of this document and complete scheduled practicum shifts according to the requirement of the HCA Program Provincial Curriculum (2023).
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Grading Table:
Other
Types of Assessments:
a. Assessments may include written papers, small group projects and presentations, debate, case study, online and in person discussions/forums, in person and recorded or virtual simulation and/or psychomotor skill testing.
b. Quizzes are completed online within the learning management system, LEARN, within the time as described in the course outline calendar. Students may have two attempts at each quiz with the highest mark being recorded in the gradebook.
c. The Practice Appraisal Form (PAF) is an assessment document used in practice courses and is based on the HCA Program Learning Outcomes and their associated indicators. The PAF is used to provide an opportunity for student self-reflection, formal instructor feedback and guides the student and instructor in the collaboration of a student learning plan for success.
Supplemental Assessment(s)
a. A student may request a supplemental assessment if they earn under 70% on an assignment and they follow the guidelines below:
1. Within 48 hours after the instructor posts marks, the student will provide the instructor with an email request, identifying the assignment they would like to redo.
2. Applications for supplemental assessments are approved at the instructor's discretion in consultation with the Program Coordinator and/or School Chair.
3. Students must have maintained an average grade of 70% or better in the course.
4. The result of the supplemental assessment cannot exceed 70% and is used in calculation of the final grade.
5. Supplemental assessments must be written within seven calendar days of the final examination schedule.
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Attendance:
1. Student attendance in class supports their progress toward meeting the course learning outcomes and contributes to the learning community. They will gain valuable insights and opportunities that would not be possible without the conversations and activities they will participate in. If a student finds themselves in a situation where they are not able to get to class or will be late, they will need to contact the relevant instructor so that they can collaborate on a plan for continued student success. When students miss class, the chances of successfully meeting the learning outcomes may be reduced and/or prevent the student from passing the class.
2. Students absent from an HCA class, for any reason, are responsible for the course material they have missed. As part of the plan for success, they may be required to make up missed assignments, activities, lab and/or practice education hours to successfully meet the learning outcomes.
3. If 2 or more classes are missed, the relevant instructor will check in with the student to ensure they are set up with appropriate resources and to collaborate on a plan for success. Plans will be documented on record of advisement or learning plan forms.
4. Dates and times are set for written and competency/skill-based assessments. These dates and times are shared with students at the beginning of the course for them to plan and organize themselves accordingly. If a student is absent from a written or competency/skill-based assessment for reasonable cause (e.g., illness, family emergency, adverse weather conditions, etc.), they may be allowed a make-up assessment on the first day the student returns to the program (please check the course outline for specific details). A physician's note for illness, or a note substantiating the family emergency, may be required prior to arranging the make-up testing.
5. Students are expected to notify the course instructor before the scheduled written or competency/skill-based session if they are unable to complete the assessment. Whether they can reschedule your assessments will be addressed case-by-case. If the student does not notify the instructor, they may forfeit their opportunity for a make-up assessment.
6. A student who must be absent from a practice or simulated learning experience must notify the instructor at least one hour prior to the experience's scheduled time. Missed hours may be rescheduled if learning outcomes are not being met and/or if the student has exceeded the allowable absences as described in course outlines.
7. The School of Health and Human Services cannot provide substitute or "make up" learning experiences outside of regularly scheduled practice education courses when students have been absent.
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Professional Requirements:
Students in the Health Care Assistant program shall:
1. acknowledge that Indigenous specific racism and colonialism exist and that students will integrate trauma-informed practice and work towards reconciliation of Indigenous health and wellness. (See also In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous- specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care, 2020).
2. conduct themselves in an informed way to be inclusive, culturally safe, and always striving towards cultural humility. (See also Selkirk College Policy 6040: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity
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Other Regulations:
REQUIRED WITHDRAWAL (See Selkirk College Policy 3400 Student Code of Conduct)
1. Breaches in confidentiality are grounds for dismissal from the HCA program.
2. Students who compromise the safety of clients in practice courses will be required to withdraw from the HCA program.
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