|
|
Health Care Assistant
Elderly and special needs patients need fully trained aides to care for them on both a short- and long-term basis. UCW Academy of Health offers an intensive 27-week Health Care Assistant program that will provide you with the specialized training needed to work as an intermediate or extended caregiver.
Potential career opportunities include long-term care aide, residential care attendant or home health care worker. During this program, students learn about chronic conditions, anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. Additional, courses focus on data collection and monitoring patient health. Additional courses teach students how to create a support network for the family members of a special needs patient. Through training and practica, students also gain the skills and experience to work with geriatric patients and those with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The Health Care Assistant program also provides “real world’ training with two clinical care supervised learning positions. You will spend three weeks working in intermediate care and four weeks in an extended care role. Graduates receive the following certifications: Health Care Assistant Diploma, Long-Term Geriatric Care Aid, Certificate Food Safe Level 1 Certificate, Alzheimer’s Certificate, CPR “C” Certificate Standard First Aid Certificate and WHMIS Certificate
"Through practicum placements, we increase the job readiness of our graduates.” Dr. Betty Koo, Health Care Instructor
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
-
| M1015 |
Introduction to CHC and the Workplace Role |
50 |
-
- The Canadian Health Care System will be explored in this module, with emphasis on the structure and policies of the BC Ministry of Health. This introductory course will also set the foundation for understanding and valuing basic human needs, respecting each client as a holistic human being. Students will be introduced to the dimensions of professional caring behaviours and become oriented to the important skills and conduct for success in the program. Professional responsibilities and the role of the health care worker will be explored. The hierarchy and communication among team members as well as the role of staffing will be addressed. The role, scope of practice and responsibilities of the nursing assistant will be defined. Students will learn to incorporate the roles of the interdisciplinary team while caring for the individual.
-
| M1185 |
Care for the Caregiver: Health and Wellness |
25 |
-
- The dimensions of wellness and their interrelationship to a healthy lifestyle will be explored. Understanding stress will provide students with the information to become successful caregivers. The learner will have an understanding of the physiological response of addictive behaviours and the role they play in health care. Other maladaptive behaviours commonly used in today’s lifestyle will be introduced within this module.
-
| M1066 |
Interpersonal Relations and Communication |
40 |
-
- The processes of interaction and communication, verbal and nonverbal communication, body language and cross-cultural communication will be addressed in this module. The use of empathy, genuineness and respect will be a priority focus. Students will explore and improve the caring interaction and effective communication with residents, families, staff, and peers. This module looks at alternative communication means for those who are visually or hearing impaired, including elderly residents with special challenges. Students also get an introduction to Bliss and American Sign Language.
-
| M1050 |
Anatomy and Physiology including Terminology |
75 |
-
- An intensive study of the terminology concerning cells, tissues, organs, systems and the effects of normal aging on the body. The major body systems will be explored. This course enables students to describe and explain, at a basic level, the gross anatomy of the human body. The function of the body organs on the body system and the integration of these functions will be studied.
-
| M1055 |
Chronic Conditions and Care |
25 |
-
- Covered in this module are critical topics that involve the care of the chronically ill. As a starting point to this module, students explore the chain of infection. Students gain an understanding of key concepts in the prevention of transmission and the care of those with communicable disorders such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Students also develop their understanding of a range of diseases including Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes Mellitus and neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord injury and Epilepsy.
-
-
- The focus of this one-week module is to enable students to report and document vital observations made while communicating with clients. Students will learn the importance of subjective and objective information while correctly identifying acute and chronic needs of the resident. Students learn how to write effective care plans and chart appropriate information.
-
| M1070 |
Development Across the Lifespan - Young Adult to Senior |
20 |
-
- Human growth and development are addressed in this module, with an emphasis on old age and the psychology of aging. Students will further explore basic human needs across the lifespan.
-
| M1085 |
Facilitating Special Needs: Alzheimer's and Dementia |
50 |
-
- Covered in this module are such critical topics as care of the elderlyand chronically ill, caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease anddementia. This course facilitates students to work in special needsareas with those who may require added assistance to meet basicphysical and psychological needs, including elderly residents withspecial challenges.
-
-
- The Home Support role will provide students with the ability to care and support individuals within the community. Typically personal care and support includes emotional support, assistance with personal hygiene and activities of daily living, upkeep of home, food preparation and possibly assisting with medications. Students investigate their legal responsibilities, the implications and guidelines for safe and effective assistance with medications. Drug classifications, advantages, disadvantages, considerations for administration and side effects are also studied, along with practice of medication administration techniques. Students will receive their Level One Foodsafe and WHMIS certificates through external examination.
-
| M1180 |
Death & Dying / Family and Support Networks |
25 |
-
- This module will build cross-cultural understanding around the issuesof death and dying. Attitudes about death as well as the needs of thedying will be addressed along with physical changes, grief process,bereavement, levels of prevention and postmortem care. The roles offamily are discussed as well as active and inactive family participationand support networks, psychologists, social workers andparaprofessionals in community health care.
-
| M1100 |
Clinical Skills Labs |
75 |
-
- Students focus on key features of responsible and accountable care, including the theory and practice behind promoting safety and comfort; proper body mechanics for safety, positioning, transfer and ambulation; measuring and recording vital signs; personal care and hygiene; general comfort and rest measures; nutritional needs and feeding. Students will receive their Standard First Aid Training and CPR C certificates through external examination. Students will also gain an introduction to clinical pharmacology and medication administration in this module. This hands-on module will provide students with key practical skills for Practicum.
-
| M1160 |
Supervised Clinical I |
120 |
-
- A 3-week supervised learning position in intermediate care. The practicum supervisor and the practicum host will complete performance evaluation.
-
| M1240 |
Supervised Clinical II |
80 |
-
- A supervised learning position practicing all aspects of personal health care in an extended care facility by providing physical and emotional support to residents. Students manage multiple clients, preparing them for demands in the job force. Both the practicum host and the instructor will complete performance evaluations.
-
-
-
| M1310 |
Job Search for RCA |
25 |
-
- Students will have the opportunity to review and discuss the final clinical placement. Theory that has been presented throughout the program will be revisited and students will complete review assignments and a final competency exam. Simulated practice will be given in panel interviews as well as practice scenarios for job interviews. Students will update their resumes and cover letters. Students will have the use of a Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers.
|
