Health Care Assistant - Diploma
Overview
This two-year diploma program for international students is a comprehensive program designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in the field of health care and community support.
Tailored to meet the unique needs of international students, this program combines theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experiences to foster a holistic understanding of health care practices and community engagement. Participants will gain expertise in providing assistance to individuals in various health care settings, including long-term care facilities and community organizations.
The curriculum emphasizes cultural competence and an understanding of diverse health care systems, preparing students to thrive in multicultural environments. Graduates of this program emerge with the necessary qualifications and confidence to contribute positively to health care and community support services.
English Language Requirements
Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to demonstrate proficiency in English as outlined by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry, including standardized proficiency assessments and required scores in all four language skills areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Minimum Program Entry Requirements
Special Costs and Travel
Students are required to have uniforms and footwear that comply with WorkSafeBC standards. This can be purchased after arrival in Canada. In addition, students must be prepared to travel to clinical practice agencies. Access to a reliable vehicle is necessary. Students are required to possess a valid BC driver’s license by the start of HCA 107.
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.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
1. Provide person‐centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client
2. Use an informed problem‐solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well‐being of clients and families
3. Provide person‐centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges
4. Provide person‐centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges
5. Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals
6. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts
7. Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner
8. Recognize and respond to own self‐development, learning, and health enhancement needs
9. 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 qualified for conditional acceptance and receive a seat offer:
a) Proof of Grade 12 completion with 60% or higher
b) Proof of meeting HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements
(i) For applicants with proof of three years of full-time instruction in English* they must also provide proof of one of the following:
(a) English 12with 60% or higher
(b) Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to English 12 at 60% or higher.
(ii) For applicants with less than three years of full-time instruction in English*: Standardized English language proficiency test score https://www.choose2care.ca/registry/HCA-Minimum-Program-Entry-Requirements.pdf
*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.
All applicants must submit:
- 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.
- Domestic 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 submit a clear police certificate from the country of origin prior to acceptance given that HCA students provide care to vulnerable clients within the practice education portion of the program. To avoid potential hardship for students arriving from another country, the police certificate is an admission requirement. For further information, see information provided at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/policecertificates/how.html
A. PRE-PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
Evidence of completion of the following must be submitted to the Admissions office or program designate prior to 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 including Provincial Violence E Modules, WHMIS, HCA Practice in BC and Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse Course
e) Completion of the Selkirk College Health & Human Services immunization form
f) 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.
PROMOTION
- Promotion to Semester 2 requires satisfactory completion of all courses in Semester 1. Semester 3 requires satisfactory completion of all courses in Semester 2, Semester 4 requires satisfactory completion of all courses in Semester 3.
Courses
EASL066 - College Preparation - Research Writing
EASL 066 College Preparation - Research Writing is an advanced writing course that focuses on various forms of writing that can be found in the academic and the work world. In addition to formal academic research techniques, this course will also explore practical technical writing skills needed for clear, timely, concise and accurate communication. The writer must focus on the purpose and audience as well as the form, style and organization. In this class, students will produce a variety of practical and academic forms of writing, including correspondence, summaries, instructions, proposals, reports etc.
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.
EACS155 - Foundations Of Practice
EACS 155 Foundations of Practice introduces students to the theory and philosophical perspectives necessary for working with individuals who are challenged by a disabling condition. Values regarding service delivery are explored through an historical review of the disability movement and an examination of new initiatives and trends. This course also examines the role of unions, advocacy and policy and procedures in support services and introduces students to professionals from various professional infrastructure sectors including licensing and ministry personnel. Through personal reflection and research, the roots of person centered support will be explored and students will develop their own personal and professional philosophy of support work.
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.
EACS170 - Augmentative Communication
EACS 170 Augmentative Communication explores the alternative forms of communications for people with little or no speech. Non-speech communication programming is examined through review of normal and disordered language and the strengths and weaknesses of various augmentative communication systems. Communication systems studied include sign language and other manual systems, pictogram/ideogram communication and electronic systems.
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.
EACS156 - Support Strategies
EACS 156 Support Strategies focuses on support strategies used with individuals who have disabilities. The analysis and understanding of behaviour as a means of communication is explored. Strategies are learned and practiced in context to support individuals with the development of pro-social skills, life, vocational, and academic skills. An awareness of issues related to healthy sexuality and the ethics of touch are explored. Emphasis is placed on the ethics of support work and effective implementation of strategies to support individuals with disabilities to be as independent as possible.
EACS161 - Person-Centred Planning
EACS 161 Person-Centered Planning focuses on the need for planning, advantages and disadvantages of planning and the key elements of the planning process. The course examines how to identify and obtain information relevant to planning, formulation of long and short-term objectives, prioritization of objectives, and translation of objectives into action. Emphasis is placed on viewing, planning as a dynamic process, and analysis of human interaction as part of the planning process. Models for structuring positive interaction of all planning team members are reviewed.
EACS165 - Health and Wellness
EACS 165 Health and Wellness is designed to introduce the essential concepts of health and wellness with emphasis on six dimensions of wellness including: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, social and physical. Students will examine health and wellness from two perspectives. The first includes the examination of wellness in the students' lives with emphasis on developing strategies to increase resiliency and well being in the work place. The second dimension will focus on ways in which the wellness of others can be enhanced in a respectful, person-centred way that values personal choice and preferences. The course will emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes being self-directed and on understanding ways in which we can support change in others and ourselves. Lecture, interactive exercises and group discussions will be used to explore a variety of topics including: stress management, diet and nutrition, ageing, intimacy and relationships, immunity, safety, lifestyle, developing relationships and quality of life. The importance of professional accountability and authenticity in supporting the wellness of others will be emphasized.
FAM180 - Family Dynamics
FAM 180 Family Dynamics is designed to provide students with a variety of theoretical perspectives to understanding families. It considers the diversity of families through the lenses of the life course perspective and political policies. Family formation, parenting, separation and divorce and aging are all examined. Family issues are also considered, including marriage and death rituals, work and poverty, same sex relationships, disabilities and immigrants. Policies that affect families are explored through an examination of violence in the family and political trends. The course is intended to be a foundation for further study of families.
HSER174 - Interpersonal Communications
HSER 174 Interpersonal Communications provides the student with an opportunity to examine personal goals, values and attitudes; develop and practice listening and responding skills, and become more aware of personal strengths and limitations. This course is designed to help students gain self-understanding in order to be more effective in working with people.
Tuition & Fees
International
Policy
Effective Term:
FallEffective Year:
20240801Advanced Standing:
ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT AND PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
1. 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 48 calendar months of initial entry. Re-entry applicants who cannot meet this deadline will not be readmitted.
3. As per the BC Care Aid & Community Support Worker Registry, no more than 3 months may elapse between the completion of lab skills coursework and the start of practice education. In cases where there is a period of more than 3 months, students would be required to re-take the HCA 107: Personal Care & Assistance course (i.e., in cases of leaves of absence, part-time students, etc.)
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Assessment:
1. Grading
a) The Standard Academic and Career Grading Table is used for EASL 066 or ENGL 110, HCA 101, 102, 103, 104, 105,106, 107, EACS 155, 170, 156, 161, 165, FAM 180, and HSER 174.
b) The Competency Based Grading Table is used for HCA 108 and 109.
c) To pass each of the following courses, students need to earn a minimum grade of 70%: HCA 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106.
d) To pass each of the following courses students need to earn a minimum grade of 60%: ENG 110, EASL 066, EACS 155, 156, 161, 165, FAM 180 and HSER 174.
e) In HCA 107, students must demonstrate competence in psychomotor skills in order 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.
f) To receive credit in HCA 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 frame 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:
(i) 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.
(ii) Applications for supplemental assessments are approved at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the Program Coordinator and/or School Chair.
(iii) Students must have maintained an average grade of 70% or better in the course.
(iv) The result of the supplemental assessment cannot exceed 70% and is used in calculation of the final grade.
(v) 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 progression toward meeting the course learning outcomes and contributes to the learning community as a whole. 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 aren't 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 in order for students 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 will be able to reschedule your assessments will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. 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 is responsible for notifying the instructor at least one hour prior to the scheduled time of the experience. 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 undertake to provide substitute or "make up" learning experiences outside of regularly scheduled practice education courses when students have been absent, for any reason.
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Professional Requirements:
Students in the Health Care Assistant Diploma 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:
A. 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.
B. PROBATION (See Policy 8619 Student Probation and Policy 3400 Student Code of Conduct)
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