Health Care Assistant: Introduction Into Practice

Upon completion of this course, learners will:

Display an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of HCAs within the health care system in British Columbia:

Describe the Health Care Systems in British Columbia and Canada
Describe the processes by which individuals in British Columbia become eligible for long term care
Discuss the goals, philosophy, and approaches used in assisted living facilities and how these might also be applied in other contexts
Describe the purpose and functions of employer standards, policies and procedures
Discuss the importance of maintaining client and family confidentiality
Describe the roles and responsibilities of HCAs within the health care team
Describe the role of labour unions in healthcare in relation to membership, responsibilities, and implications for the HCAs
Describe the role and mandate of bodies with oversight of HCAs in BC

Students must pass every course in the program by a minimum required mark of 60%
An overall average of 70% is required for graduation

Contribute to the effective functioning of the healthcare team:

Discuss basic concepts of team development and group processes.
Outline the benefits & challenges of working in a team, including diversity within the team
Describe the principles of collaboration and cooperation that contribute to effective team functioning
Describe the roles and responsibilities of various members of the healthcare team
Discuss lines of communication
Function in a responsible, accountable fashion recognizing legal and ethical parameters of the HCA role:

Discuss human rights as they relate to the provider and the recipient of care
Discuss elements of responsible and accountable behaviour
Delineate the legal and contractual limitations and obligations of HCAs
Delineate the legal implications of the written word
Discuss how to recognize ethical issues in practice and methods for resolving such issues
Discuss appropriate responses when a situation exceeds legal or employer-defined parameters of one’s role
Describe what is meant by professional boundaries in relation to relationships with clients/residents and families
Apply self-reflection and self-appraisal processes in order to recognize and respond to own self-development needs as a care provider:

Discuss reflective practices: What it is, why it is important, how to become a reflective care provider
Discuss how the personal competence of the care provider is a component of caring practice
Describe how self-assessment relates to self-development
Discuss the importance of lifelong learning for all care providers