HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
selkirk.ca/hca

Important Dates

FALL 2017

— September 5-8 - Orientation to Program, CPR-C/
SFA, Food Safe, WHMIS courses on the Trail
Campus

— September 11 - Fall Semester instruction begins
— December 21 - Fall Semester instruction ends

WINTER 2018
— January 3-12 - Winter Semester instruction begins

— January 15 - Practicum begins

— March 16 - Last day to complete practicum
requirements

Application Information

— Please make sure you meet all admission
requirements, including the general admission
requirements for the college and the specific
admission requirements for your chosen program
(these are listed in each program area).

— Fill out the general application form.

Program Courses

HCA 101 - HEALTH & HEALING:
CONCEPTS FOR PRACTICE

HCA 101: Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice
provides students with the opportunity to develop

a theoretical framework for practice. Students

will be introduced to the philosophical values and
theoretical understanding that provide a foundation
for competent practice as HCA. The course focuses
on concepts of caring and person-centred care; basic
human needs and human development; 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.

HCA 102 - HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT:
INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICE

HCA 102: Health Care Assistant: Introduction to
Practice provides an introduction to the role of the
HCA within the British Columbia health care system.
Students are introduced to the health care team and
the roles and functions of the HCA within the team.
Students also have opportunities to develop self-
reflective skills required for competent practice and
will be introduced to effective job-finding approaches.

120. Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2017-18

HCA 103 - HEALTH 1: INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATIONS

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 care-giving contexts. Students are encouraged
to become more aware of the impact of their own
communication choices and patterns. They have
opportunity to develop and use communication
techniques that demonstrate personal awareness,
respect, and active listening skills.

HCA 104 - HEALTH 2: LIFESTYLE
AND CHOICES

This course introduces students to a holistic concept
of health and the components of health-enhancing
lifestyles. Students are invited to reflect on their own
experience of health, recognizing challenges and
resources that can impact lifestyle choices. Students
are introduced to a model that can be applied in other
courses to understand the multi-faceted aspects of
health and healing.

HCA 105 - HEALING 1: CARING
FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING
COMMON HEALTH CHALLENGES

HCA 105: Healing 1: Caring for Individuals
Experiencing Common Health Challenges 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-centered practice as it relates to the common
challenges to health and, in particular, to end-of-life
care.

HCA 106 - HEALING 2: CARING FOR
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING COGNITIVE
OR MENTAL CHALLENGES

This course builds on content from other courses to
assist students to explore concepts and care giving
approaches that allow the student to work effectively
with individuals experiencing cognitive or mental
challenges. Emphasis is on recognizing behaviours
and identifying person-centered intervention
strategies.

HCA 107 - HEALING 3: 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

is comprised of class, supervised laboratory
experiences and a one-week supervised experience
in a residential care facility. The aim of this course is
to assist the student to integrate theory from other

courses to develop care-giver skills that maintain and
promote the comfort, safety, and independence of
individuals in community and facility contexts.

HCA 108 - PRACTICE EXPERIENCE IN
HOME SUPPORT AND ASSISTED LIVING

This practice course provides students with an
opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from

all other courses with individuals and families in

a community setting. Opportunity is provided for
students to become more familiar with the role of
the HCA within the Home Support and Assisted Living
setting and gain abilities that prepare graduates to
assume the role of the Community Health Worker.

HCA 109 - PRACTICE EXPERIENCE IN
MULTI-LEVEL/COMPLEX CARE

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/complex care setting.

A portion of this clinical experience is devoted to
working with individuals experiencing cognitive
challenges. Opportunity is provided for students to
gain expertise and confidence with the role of the
HCA within the residential care facility.

Contacts

RACHEL WALKER

Admissions Officer

Phone: 1.888.953.1133 ext 21233
Email: rwalker@selkirk.ca

TERESA PETRICK

School Chair, Health and Human Services
Phone: 250.365.7292 ext 21442

Direct: 250.365.1442

Email: tpetrick@selkirk.ca

selkirk.ca/programs