A female student on her way to to one of her Health Care Assistant Courses at Nanaimo Campus

Health Care Assistant

Courses

Course offerings vary from year to year. Check Generate a Timetable for available course offerings.

HCAS 110 Health: Interpersonal Communications (Ends Aug 2024)

An exploration of 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. HCAS 110 was formerly called HCAS 101T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 110 Interpersonal Communications (Effective Sep 2024)

An overview 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 have opportunities to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills. HCAS 110 was formerly called HCAS 101T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 120 Health: Lifestyle and Choices (Ends Aug 2024)

An introduction to a holistic concept of health and the components of a health-enhancing lifestyle. Topics include self-reflection of personal health experiences, recognizing challenges and resources that may impact lifestyle choices. HCAS 120 was formerly called HCAS 102T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 120 Lifestyle and Choices (Effective Sep 2024)

An examination of 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. HCAS 120 was formerly called HCAS 102T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 130 Health Care Assistant: Introduction to Practice (Ends Aug 2024)

An introduction of the role of the HCA within the BC healthcare system. Topics include introduction to the healthcare team, roles and functions of the HCA within the team; self-reflective skills for competent practice. HCAS 130 was formerly called HCAS 103T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 130 Introduction to Practice (Effective Sep 2024)

An examination of 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, and effective job-finding approaches. HCAS 130 was formerly called HCAS 103T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 140 Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice (Ends Aug 2024)

An introduction to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice. Focus on concepts of caring, person-centered care, basic human needs, human development, family, culture, diversity, critical thinking and problem solving. HCAS 140 was formerly called HCAS 104T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 140 Concepts for Practice (Effective Sep 2024)

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for practice. The focus of this course is on problem-solving, concepts of caring, person-centred care; basic human needs and human development; family, culture, and diversity as they relate to health and healing. HCAS 140 was formerly called HCAS 104T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 150 Healing 1: Common Health Challenges (Ends Aug 2024)

An introduction to the study of normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Topics include challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system, person-centred practice, and end-of-life care. HCAS 150 was formerly called HCAS 105T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 150 Common Health Challenges (Effective Sep 2024)

This course introduces students to the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students will explore health and healing in relation to each body system, person-centred practice as it relates to the common challenges to health and to end-of-life care. HCAS 150 was formerly called HCAS 105T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 160 Healing 2: Cognitive or Mental Challenges (Ends Aug 2024)

An exploration of the concepts and caregiving approaches needed to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive or mental challenges. Topics include supporting clients with dementia, recognizing behaviours and identifying person-centred intervention strategies. HCAS 160 was formerly called HCAS 106T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 160 Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges (Effective Sep 2024)

This course provides an overview of 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-centered intervention strategies. HCAS 160 was formerly called HCAS 106T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 170 Healing 3: Personal Care and Assistance (Ends Aug 2024)

An introduction to personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. Topics include skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts. HCAS 170 was formerly called HCAS 107T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 170 Personal Care and Assistance (Effective Sep 2024)

An introduction to personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the HCA role. Topics include skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety, and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts. HCAS 170 was formerly called HCAS 107T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Admission to program.

HCAS 180 Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care (Ends Aug 2024)

An opportunity to practice consolidating knowledge and skills in multi-level and/or complex care settings. HCAS 180 was formerly called HCAS 121T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Phase I.

HCAS 180 Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care (Effective Sep 2024)

An opportunity in a supervised practice experience to apply knowledge and skills from other courses with individuals in a multi-level or complex care setting. Topics include working with individuals with dementia, and gaining expertise and confidence with the role of the HCA within a complex care facility. HCAS 180 was formerly called HCAS 121T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Phase I.

HCAS 190 Practice Experience in Home Support and/or Assisted Living (Ends Aug 2024)

An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills with individuals and families in community settings such as home support and/or assisted living while promoting the philosophy of community care settings, client choice and independence. HCAS 190 was formerly called HCAS 131T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Phase II.

HCAS 190 Practice Experience in Home Support, Assisted Living, and/or Group Home Setting (Effective Sep 2024)

An opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all other courses with individuals and families in a community setting. It is important that students understand the philosophy of community settings and the importance of client choice and independence. HCAS 190 was formerly called HCAS 131T; credit will not be granted for both courses.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Phase II.