Health Care Support Work

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Program Code
CTHCSW
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Credential Type
Certificate
Transcript Title
Hlth Care Support Work Cert
Date of First Offering
Start Term
201530
End Term
202120
Credential
Certificate in Health Care Support Work
Length of Program
Three semesters
Credits
47.25
Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

Native English speakers(applies to individuals who have a minimum of 7 years of education in an English-speaking environment*)

Non-native English speakers

Requirements:

English 11 or equivalent

Requirements:

Standardized English Language proficiency test score

1. Evidence of one of the following:

     -Proof of completion of Grade 11 English with a minimum grade of "C"; OR

     -Accuplacer:
         Grade 11 level or higher
         Reading Comprehension: 65
         Write placer: 4

2.  Completion of Douglas College Self- Declaration Form

Evidence of one of the following test scores:

 1.  The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): test score must be within the last two years- minimum score of 80

 2.  International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General- test score must be within the last two years- minimum overall score of 6 with no band lower than 6

 3.  Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLBPT): test score must be within the past six months: Minimum test scores: Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7

 4.  Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): test must be within the last two years- minimum overall score of 60

*Countries with English language systems/institutions(where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education)

American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands Cayman Island
Canada*

Dominica
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Ghana
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Irish Republic
Jamaica
Kenya
Malta

Mauritius
Montserrat
New Zealand
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caico Islands

Uganda
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
United States of America (USA)
US Virgin Islands

*Applicants educated in Quebec at an institution where the language of instruction was not English, must meet the current English Language proficiency requirements.

Upon Offer: 

  • A Criminal Record Check from the Ministry of Justice, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults will be required.  This must be done through Douglas College.  Specific Instructions will be provided by the program Admissions Officer.
  • Complete an Informed Medical Suitability Declaration (to be completed on Douglas College Form) and a physician's note may be required.
  • Submit a current record of immunity or immunization for Hepatitis B.
  • Submit proof of negative TB skin test or chest X-ray, taken within 4 months prior to starting the program and classes. This may need to be repeated if student was tested more than six months prior to the first clinical experience, or as required by Health Regions. 

*Updated immunizations for measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, varicella and rubella are strongly recommended.  Recommendations will change based on Health Region requirements.

Standard First Aid and CPR Level C

  • Certificate is required prior to the first clinical placement.

Non-Violence Crisis Intervention (NVCI):

  • NVCI is required prior to the first clinical placement.  NVCI course may be arranged through the HCSW program during program orientation.  

Other:

  • We strongly recommend you attend an information session.
  • A personal interview with the Program Coordinator may be requested.

Access to the Health Care Support Work Certificate Program for Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Graduates

Additional admission requirements

In addition to the admission requirements for all HCSW program options, these admission requirements apply to Douglas College Community Mental Health Work program graduates who wish to access the Health Care Assistanting component of the HCSW program and to receive credit for previous education and work experience.  Students will graduate with a HCSW certificate.

Practice Requirements

  1. Graduation from Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Program. (Note: the Introduction to Community Mental Health Certificate program offered through Douglas College Continuing Education is not equivalent to the Community Mental Health Work Certificate).
    AND
  2. Current practice experience, such as working with persons with mental illness in a residential or community based facility for a minimum of 1,120 hours within four years of date of application. Submission of a letter from an agency/institution supporting this claim is required. 
    OR
    Graduation from Douglas College Community Mental Health Work Program within two years prior to the date of application.

 

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of 47.25 credits
  • 50% of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College 

Course Requirements:

Course Number Course Title Credits

Semester I

   

HCSW 1101

Concepts for Practice

3.00

HCSW 1102

Lifestyle and Introduction to Practice

3.00

HCSW 1103

Interpersonal Communication

3.00

HCSW 1104

Health Challenges 1

3.00

HCSW 1105

Applied Practice Experiences 1

6.00

Semester II

   

HCSW 1106

Health Challenges 2

3.00

HCSW 1107

Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges

3.00

HCSW 1108

Applied Practice Experiences 2

6.75

HCSW 1109

Applied Practice Experiences 3

3.75

Semester III

   

HCSW 1170

Concepts for Mental Health Practice II

3.00

HCSW 1180

Recovery in Mental Health

3.00

HCSW 1190

Therapeutic Relationships in Mental Health

3.25

HCSW 1195

Clinical Practice I for CMHWs

0.75

HCSW 1200

Clinical Practice II for CMHWs

2.75

Total Credits

 

47.25