Health Care Assistant

Below is the Drake Medox College Health Care Assistant (RCA/Community Health Worker) Diploma Program Information, which contains summary information of course content. This program is designed to be in direct alignment with the standards within the Provincial Curriculum for community and residential care aide training in British Columbia.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum Module and Courses

HEALTH AND HEALING, CONCEPTS FOR PRACTICE

100 Introduction to Care
This course is one of many designed to lay the foundation for the theoretical framework for practice as a Health Care Assistant. It focuses on the hierarchy of human needs, from the physiological to self-fulfillment, and includes the basics of human development and the role of the family in health and healing. 
Length 5 hours.

116 Role of the Caregiver
This course focuses on person-centered practice, elements of professional practice, including protection and safety skills, and critical thinking skills.
Length 40 hours.
 
121 Culture and Diversity
This course provides students with the opportunity to focus on the concepts of person-centered care within the context of family culture and diversity as they relate to health and healing.
Length 25 hours.

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT – INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICE
 

120 Job Skills
This course describes various work environments, to provide evidence-based decision-making upon graduation, for the most appropriate fit for a challenging and rewarding work experience. Students will be introduced to effective job finding skills including behavioral-based interviewing techniques, resume development, reference selection, documentation checklists, cover letters and job search techniques.
Length 8 hours.

115 Reporting and Observations
This course covers the legal and ethical implications of practice. Rights of both care givers and client recipients are addressed. There is also a focus on the importance and relevancy of reporting and observation as an HCA. In addition, environmental factors such as work place safety, employment standards and ethical work practices are covered.
Length 10 hours.

119 Reflection and Problem-solving
The focus of this course is critical thinking and problem-solving using a number of case studies. Students are introduced to the concept of self-reflection and the value it adds to one’s practice and personal job satisfaction.
Length 12 hours.

HEALTH 1 – INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
 

103 Communications
This course focuses on understanding of others, and communication skills. It is designed to enable students to develop good listening skills, self-awareness and an understanding of the communication process. In this course, students learn how their communication impacts others, and develop techniques that demonstrate that awareness.
Length 50 hours.

 
HEALTH 2 – LIFESTYLE AND CHOICES
 

108 Lifestyle and Choices
This course introduces the concept of holistic health care, and how our choices impact our ability to sustain our health.  Several aspects of health and healing are discussed, including emotional, physical, cultural and societal.
Length 24 hours.

111 Stress Management
This course invites students to reflect on their own experience with health and the impact of their choices and circumstances. We discuss stress, its possible sources, its effect on the job, and some methods of stress reduction.
Length 6 hours.

HEALING 1 – CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING COMMON CHALLENGES
 

101 Introduction to Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology
  This course provides students with an overview of medical terminology and commonly used abbreviations in health care, as well as an introduction to anatomical terms, body systems and cells and organs.
Length 20 hours.

105 Major Systems Disorders
This course introduces various major systems disorders such as cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory and reproductive disorders, and how changes in these systems relate to the ageing process. Chronic disease management is discussed, including documentation of signs and symptoms of clients experiencing changing health status. A general plan of care is presented for many of the common major systems disorders.
Length 54 hours.

110 (a) Nutrition                                                                                  
This course covers the normal nutritional requirements based on Canadian Guidelines for healthy eating. Students will develop skills to enable meal planning, purchasing, preparing and serving. It will also provide the student with information on special diets and assisting clients to eat. Students will be provided with a Cooking For The Homebound cookbook.
Length 6 hours.

113 Palliative Care
 The concepts covered in this course include person-centered approaches appropriate for palliative clients. Content includes discussion of end-of-life care for clients/residents, as well as their families, where appropriate, and covers quality of life issues, comfort measures, family dynamics, grief and grieving, and self-care for the care-giver
Length 30 hours.

HEALING 2 – CARING FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING COGNITIVE MENTAL CHALLENGES
 

106 Developmental Disabilities
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and care-giving 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.
Length 15 hours.

107 Mental Health
This course explores causes and common treatment of mental health challenges, common mental health disorders, stigma associated with mental health challenges, cultural factors, suicide risks and effective caring approaches.
Length 20 hours.

114 Alcohol and Substance Abuse
This course introduces students to the reality of alcohol and substance abuse in the home and community, long term effects on health as we age, signs and symptoms of abusers, and approaches to care.
Length 5 hours.

109 Alzheimer’s and Dementia
This course begins by addressing basic human needs and the stages of human development across the lifespan. It further goes on to address the causes, stages and behaviors of dementia, as well as interventions that promote optimum level of functioning. Students will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding crucial to care for and supporting effectively individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and their families.
Length 20 hours.

HEALING 3 – PERSONAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE
 

102 Personal Care Skills
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the Health Care Assistant role. It is comprised of class and supervised laboratory experiences which assist the student to integrate theory from other courses to develop care-giver skills for effective client care.
Length 60 hours.

104 Infection Control
This course covers how to prevent the spread of infection through principles of asepsis, safety & organization. Students will also obtain their WHIMIS certification through this course.
Length 12 hours.

117 Transfer of Function Skills
This course offers students the opportunity to acquire 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 curses to develop care-giver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts.
Length 26 hours.

110 (b) Foodsafe (out day)
Students will take the 1 day Food Safe workshop, as well as a field trip to a local grocery store with the Nutritionist.
Length 12 hours.

112 Mobility and Safety
This course offers students the opportunity to acquire practical exposure to client transfers, and the inherent safety factors. It is comprised of classroom theory and supervised laboratory experience to assist with the integration of theory and practice.
Length 10 hours.

118 Practicum
       Home support
       Facility