Yukon College Home Programs Health Care Assistant

Health Care Assistant

School of Health, Education and Human Services
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t. 867.668.8845 f. 867.668.8805

Program Overview

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line care-givers and respected members of the health care team in community and facility settings. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual well-being of clients/residents.

The HCA program offers the theory and practice associated with providing personal care and support to individuals within the community and in residential facilities. Personal care and support includes emotional support, assistance with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living, upkeep of home, food preparation, and childcare. Theory and practice are planned to prepare graduates to work as caring individuals who assist clients/residents to achieve maximum independence in daily living.

The overarching, primary concept is caring and is supported by the foundational concepts of safety, thinking skills and professional approaches to practice. These provide the underpinnings for all knowledge and abilities that learners gain within the program

Core courses are shared with other programs in the College to increase options for students who wish to further their education. This multidisciplinary approach promotes readiness for employment in the community by developing the student’s ability to function effectively within teams.

Practical application of learning is basic to the program and students will be learning and working in the community throughout the program. Classroom learning and sharing will prepare students for work experience, while work experience will enhance learning in the classroom.

Required Courses

     
  • HCA 100: Health and Healing A, Concepts for Practice (3 credits)
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  • HCA 101: Health and Healing B, Concepts for Practice (3 credits)
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  • HCA 110: Health 1, Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
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  • HCA 111: Health 2, Lifestyle and Choices (3 credits)
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  • HCA 102: Introduction to Practice (3 credits)
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  • HCA 120: Healing 1 A, Common Health Challenges (3 credits)
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  • HCA 121: Healing 1 B, Common Health Challenges (3 credits)
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  • HCA 122: Healing 1 C, Common Health Challenges (2 credits)
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  • HCA 130: Healing 2 A, Cognitive or Mental Challenges (2 credits)
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  • HCA 131: Healing 2 B, Cognitive or Mental Challenges (2 credits)
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  • HCA 140: Healing 3 A, Personal Care and Assistance (4 credits)
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  • HCA 141: Healing 3 B, Personal Care and Assistance (4 credits)
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  • HCA 150: Practicum: Home Care and Assisted Living (1 credit)
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  • HCA 160: Practicum: Multi-level, Complex and Dementia (4 credits)

Admission Requirements

     
  • English 10 (min. 60%) and Math 10 (Principles, Foundations & Pre-Calculus) (min. 60%); OR
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  • mature student status with acceptable scores on the College Placement Tests OR GED and the College Writing Assessment (min. 70%) and the College Computer Assessment (min. 75%); OR
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  • ENGL 040 (min. B) and MATH 030 (min. B)

AND

     
  • COMP 040
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  • current Standard First Aid/CPR
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  • current Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
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  • current immunization
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  • current acceptable Criminal Records Check 

Other Requirements

Students are required to:

     
  • Have appropriate working apparel.
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  • Provide their own transportation to and from work experiences.

The work of a health care assistant requires physical and emotional readiness. Students need to be able to:

     
  • Maintain effective communication with patients and staff.
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  • Provide personal care.
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  • Lift and move residents.
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  • Work with a variety of equipment.
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  • Spend long periods of time on their feet while engaged in physically active work.
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  • Be prepared to work day, evening and night shifts.

As well, they may be exposed to diseases in the course of work with patients in long-term care and in the community. Working with people requires that a student is able to remain effective in stressful situations.

Transferability

     
  • Transfer/Equivalency/Accreditation not yet formalized.
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  • The Health Care Assistant program follows British Columbia’s curriculum guidelines and is a licensed curriculum.
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  • Some courses are cored with other Yukon College programs.

Employment

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in any level of continuing care, including home support, adult day care, assisted living, and complex care (including special care units).

Duration

This certificate program consists of 14 courses (40 credits). The program runs September through May with a short break in December.

General Outcomes

Upon completion of the HCA Program, graduates will be able to:

     
  • Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual resident or client.
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  • Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being of clients/residents and families.
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  • Provide care and assistance for clients/residents experiencing complex health challenges.
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  • Provide care and assistance for clients/residents experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
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  • Interact with other members of the healthcare team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
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  • Communicate clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways with clients/residents and families within a variety of communities and facilities.
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  • Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent and organized manner.
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  • Recognize and respond to their own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs.
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  • Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner.

Ancillary Fees

For information on program fees and ancillary fees related to courses, please see the Tuition & Fees page.