Description: 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 will be encouraged to become more aware of the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They will have opportunity to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect and active listening skills.

Description: Medical Terminology covers the broad base for medical terminology, abbreviations and the systems of the body. Students will learn to build medical words using the key components which also include the correct pronunciation and spelling of each term. Students also gain the understanding of proper utilization of terms to describe medical conditions and disease states.

Description: This course provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia health care system. Students will be introduced to the healthcare team and the roles and functions of HCA 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.

Description: 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 a 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.

Description: This course 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-centered practice as it relates to the common challenges to health and, in particular, to end-of-life care.

Description: 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.

Description: This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and 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 courses to develop care-giver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts.

Description: Job-hunting is serious business. To be successful, a job seeker will need to organize the job search like a business. He or she will need to treat the job search as a job. Students will develop a resume, a cover letter, and interview skills.

Description: The applied practice experiences within the RCA program are critical to student learning. It is through the practice experiences that students apply the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes they have learned in all other courses in the program and become ready to undertake the role of a RCA in a community or facility setting. Students receive an opportunity to apply the theory and skills learned throughout the program and observe professionals in practical situations. As well students will acquire situational-specific skills and identify areas that may need to be developed further. Students receive feedback and evaluation of their performance and gain valuable contacts in this diverse field. Practicum duration varies depending on the course of study.

Description: The preceptorship involves a period of final work experience required for graduation from the HCA program in which students perform actual clinical or other professional care-giving procedures in an appropriate heathcare setting under the immediate supervision of a single, fully qualified individual. The instructor is readily available for consultation with either the student or preceptor.

NOTE: Students are expected to attend during the practicum hosts’ hours of operation. This may be morning, afternoon evenings, overnights and weekends. While on practicum reliable transportation is required.