Health Care Assistant
The Health Care Assistant provides person-centered care to adults and people with disabilities who have individual, diverse and often complex, health care needs.
Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, the Health Care Assistant functions as a frontline caregiver and is a respected member of the interdisciplinary care team.
Department's website: kpu.ca/health/hcap
Graduates of this program are qualified to work in a variety of health care settings, including acute care, complex care, assisted living, adult day care and home support.
Registration in some course sections is restricted to students in particular programs. See Timetables - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current section information.
Visit the BC Transfer Guide - bctransferguide.ca - for information about course transfer in B.C.
HCAP 1100 2 credits
Interpersonal Communication
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 caregiving contexts. Students will be encouraged to become more aware of the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They will have opportunities to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills.
Level: VO
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1110 3 credits
Common Health Challenges
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-centred practice as it relates to the common challenges to health.
Level: VO
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1121 1 credit
Lifestyle and Choices
This course introduces students to a holistic concept of health and the components of a health-enhancing lifestyle. Students will be invited to reflect on their own experience of health, recognizing challenges and resources that can impact lifestyle choices. Students will be introduced to a model that can be applied in other courses to understand the multi-faceted aspects of health and healing.
Level: VO
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1130 3 credits
Personal Care and Assistance
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. The course comprises class and supervised laboratory experiences, which assist the student to integrate theory from other courses to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of clients in community and facility contexts.
Level: VO
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1136 3 credits
Concepts for Practice
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 an HCA. The course focuses on concepts of caring and person-centred care; basic human needs and human development; and 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.
Level: VO
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1150 5 credits
Practice Education Experience
This supervised practice experience provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all other courses in the program with individuals in a multi-level or complex care setting. A portion of this clinical experience will be devoted to working with individuals with dementia. Opportunity will be provided for students to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within a complex care facility.
Level: VO
Co-requisite(s): HCAP 1130
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1210 3 credits
Complex Health Challenges
In this course, students continue to explore the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students will explore more complex challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system. Students will also be encouraged to explore person-centred practice as it relates to the complex challenges to health and, in particular, to end-of-life care.
Level: VO
Prerequisite(s): All of HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1220 4 credits
Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and caregiving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours, and identifying person-centred intervention strategies. Students will have a practical experience on an older adult special care unit.
Level: VO
Prerequisite(s): All of HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1230 3 credits
Advanced Personal Care and Assistance
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire advanced personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. The course comprises class and supervised laboratory experiences, which assist the student to integrate theory from other courses to develop caregiver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of clients in community and facility contexts, including acute care.
Level: VO
Prerequisite(s): All HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1236 1 credit
Introduction to Practice
This course provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia health care system. Students will be introduced to the health care team and the roles and functions of HCAs 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.
Level: VO
Prerequisite(s): HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
Attribute: HLTH
HCAP 1250 5 credits
Final Practice Education Experience
This practice course provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all other courses with individuals and families in both a complex care and community care setting. Opportunities will be provided for students to become more familiar with the role of the HCA within a complex care facility, acute care unit, home support agency, assisted living facility, and/or a group home to gain abilities that will prepare graduates for employment in these settings.
Level: VO
Co-requisite(s): All of HCAP 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1236
Attribute: HLTH
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