Purpose

This program is designed for international students seeking work in the Canadian Health Care sector. The Health Care Assistant Diploma will provide students with a solid foundation in the Canadian health care system and prepare them for work as a Health Care Assistant in a variety of health care settings.   

The health care sector is one of the largest employers in B.C. The Health Care Assistant Diploma will provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, students will learn to provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of health care settings, including complex care, home support, assisted living, and other home and community care settings.

Duration

The program is two years in length and divided into four terms.  The maximum time for completion is 5 years. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

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

Admission Requirements

• High School Graduation
• 18 years of age or older
• English Language Proficiency, as required by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry
• Completion of the VCC English Language Declaration form
• English Language Proficiency is demonstrated by one of the following:
  • English 10 minimum C grade, or equivalent
  • IELTS: Overall score of 6 with a minimum of 6 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than5.5 in Reading and Writing
  • TOEFL IBT - Overall score of 76 with no score lower than 20 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 18 in Reading and Writing
• A police check from the applicant's country of origin.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

Term One		Credits
HRCA 1197	Foundations	1
HRCA 1161	Communications for HCA 1	3
HRCA 1162	Info Tech for Health Sciences	2
HRCA 1191	Interpersonal Communications	3
HRCA 1190	Lifestyle and Choices	1.5
HRCA 1140	Common Health Challenges 1	1.5
HRCA 1192	Introduction to Practice	1.5
HRCA 1163	Impacts of Colonization	1.5
	Credits	15
Term Two
HRCA 1261	Communications for HCA 2	3
HRCA 1181	Personal Care & Assistance 1	4
HRCA 1183	Concepts for Practice	3.5
HRCA 1240	Common Health Challenges 2	4.5
HRCA 1135	Clinical 1	2
	Credits	17
Term Three
HRCA 2161	Communications for HCA 3	3
HRCA 1291	Cognitive & Mental Challenges	3
HRCA 2140	Common Health Challenges 3	3.0
HRCA 1293	Personal Care & Assistance 2	4
HRCA 2135	Clinical 2	3
	Credits	16
Term Four
HRCA 2261	Communications for HCA 4	2
HRCA 2291	Advanced Comm Skills for CMC	3
HRCA 2240	Common Health Challenges 4	2
HRCA 2235	Clinical 3	6
HRCA 2265	Community Practicum	3
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	64

Evaluation of Student Learning

Theory courses are evaluated by written exams, assignments, projects/presentations, online activities and the completion of journals. Laboratory and clinical performance is assessed by instructor observations of students in work experience situations. All courses are evaluated consistent with the College Grading System.

Students must achieve at least a C+ (minimum 64%) in every course in order to proceed to the next level, or to graduate from the program.

Attendance of all classes, laboratory and practice education experiences is required in order to truly understand and master the theoretical and practical components behind the Health Care Assistant role.  

If a student withdraws from the Health Care Assistant program for any reason, the student may apply to take the needed courses to complete the program in future cohorts providing:

• There is space available. 
• Departmental Leader approval is granted.
• The potential completion date of the program will not be exceeded.

Program Completion Deadline:

The program must be completed within 5 years from the date that a student initially started the program. Program completion deadlines are necessary to ensure the currency of student skills and in alignment with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Workers Registry recognition requirements.

Amount of Time Absence for the Program

In alignment with the BC Care Aide and Community Heath Workers Registry recognition requirements, the amount of time a student is absent from the program will determine prerequisites when re-entered into the program.

Absent more than 3 months:

If the elapsed time between withdrawal and re-entry is greater than 3 months, the student will be required to register and successfully complete the appropriate preceding Personal Care and Assistance course prior to entering a clinical course, regardless if the Personal Care and Assistance course has been successfully completed previously.

Absent more than 12 months:

If the elapsed time is greater than 12 months, the student will be required to register and successfully complete both Personal Care and Assistance courses, before entering a clinical course.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of each level.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement

Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71		2.67
C+	64-67	Minimum Pass	2.33
C	60-63	Failing Grade	2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49		0.00
S		Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credits	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit	N/A

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.

2. The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.

3. Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.