Health Care Assisting (Certificate)

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Program Code
CTHCA
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Mental Health and Personal Support Work
Credential Type
Certificate
Transcript Title
Health Care Asst Certificate
Date of First Offering
Start Term
202430
End Term
Not Specified
Credential
Certificate in Health Care Assisting
Length of Program
Two semesters
Credits
35.00
Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

Academic Admission Requirements:

  • Evidence of meeting the HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements

 

HCA Program Entry English Language Competency Requirements:

Applicants who provide evidence of three (3) years of full-time instruction in English* must also provide proof of one (1) of the following: Applicants who cannot provide evidence of three years of full-time instruction in English* are required to provide proof of one (1) of the following standard proficiency tests from an authorized assessment agency:
  • English 11 with a minimum grade of a "C" or approved equivalent
  • Completion of college courses determined to be equivalent to Grade 11 English (or higher) by post-secondary institutions. A minimum of C grade is acceptable
  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Tests Results: Reading 254, Writing 240 and Writeplacer 4
  • Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) or CLBPT Remote. Test in the last year. Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online). Test in the last two years. Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 7 and Writing 7
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic, IELTS General or IELTS Academic Online). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 6 with no level lower than 6, Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6, Writing 6
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online). Test in the last two years. Overall Score of 60 with no level less than 50
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition). Test in the last two years. Overall score of 80 with no score lower than 22 in Speaking and Listening and no score lower than 20 in Reading and Writing

     

*Defined as three (3) years of full-time secondary and/or post-secondary education at a recognized institution on the list of Approved English-Speaking Countries (see below). Secondary education will be considered starting from grade 8. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses will not be considered.

Countries with English language systems/ intuitions where English is a primary, official language and the language used for education

American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica

Falkland Islands
Fiji
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia

Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
New Zealand
Nigeria
Saint Helena
Saint Lucia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore

South Africa
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caico Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 

Non-Academic Admission Requirements

  • Be 19 years of age by December 31st of the year you enter the program.
  • A Criminal Record Check (CRC) from the Criminal Records Review Program including clearance to work with vulnerable adults. Details will be provided at the time the applicant is offered admission to the program. All costs related to the CRC are the responsibility of the applicant.
  • Admission Interview: Applicants may be required to participate in an interview with the Program Coordinator for the purposes of providing additional information and/or academic advising.
  • Information session strongly recommended.

 

Prerequisites for Practice Education

  • Immunization: A current record of immunizations must be provided. Applicants must obtain all immunizations mandated by the Health Authorities or Public Health orders to be permitted access to clinical sites. This is a prerequisite for clinical and practicum courses in the HCA Program. All costs related to required immunizations and/or testing are responsibility of the applicant.
  • FoodSafe Level 1 Certificate or equivalent.

  • First Aid Certification.

  • CPR Level “C” Certificate or “Basic Life Support (BLS)” Certificate.

  • Completion of Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO).

  • LearningHub modules.
Curriculum Framework

Curriculum Framework

  • Successful completion of 35.00 credits
  • A minimum of 50% (17.5 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College.
  • Minimum grades are required, as follows:
    • C+ in all MHPS credit courses or equivalents
    • Mastery in all clinical practice and preceptorship courses
  • In good academic standing
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/ Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits

Course Requirements:

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Semester 1

MHPS 1110

Concepts for Practice

3.00

MHPS 1120

Lifestyle and Introduction to Practice

3.00

MHPS 1130

Interpersonal Communications

3.00

MHPS 1140

Common Health Challenges I

3.00

MHPS 1150

Personal Care & Assistance I

4.50

MHPS 1160

Applied Practice Experience I

2.00

Semester 2

MHPS 1170

Common Health Challenges II

3.00

MHPS 1180

Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges

3.00

MHPS 1190

Personal Care & Assistance II

3.00

MHPS 1200

Applied Practice Experience II

3.75

MHPS 1300

Applied Practice Experience III

3.75

Total Credits

35.00

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Health Care Assistant program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Provide person-centered care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client.

  2. Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.

  3. Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.

  4. Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.

  5. Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

  6. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts.

  7. Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner.

  8. Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs.

  9. Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner.