Course Description
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 and supervised laboratory experiences, as well as supervised practice experience in a multi-level or complex care setting. Through these experiences, students learn to integrate and apply the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes they have learned in all other courses in the program. Students are provided with opportunities to develop care-giver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of individuals in facility contexts.
Course Content
NOTE: All skills are taught in such a way that facility, community, and acute care contexts are recognized.
Problem-solving when carrying out care-giving procedures
- Planning and implementing care based on the person’s needs, the established care plan and facility/agency policies.
- Evaluating effectiveness of the procedure.
- Reporting and recording actions, results and observations.
- Responding appropriately to emergency situations.
Asepsis and Prevention of Infection
Promoting comfort, rest, and sleep
Promoting personal hygiene
Moving, positioning and transferring a client
Bedmaking
Promoting exercise and activity
Promoting healthy nutrition and fluid intake
- Utilizing safe feeding/eating assistance techniques with individuals who are experiencing difficulty biting, chewing, and/or swallowing
Promoting urinary and bowel elimination
Learning Activities
Lecture
Practice
Group discussion/group activities
Audio-visual materials
Case studies/simulation
Clinical experiences
Means of Assessment
Course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College course evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a MASTERY course. Students will receive a detailed outline of performance expectations at the beginning of the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Safely and competently perform all course skills in the laboratory setting.
- Provide care and assistance for residents experiencing moderate to complex health challenges.
- Provide person-centered care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual resident.
- Perform personal care skills in an organized manner ensuring the comfort and appropriate independence of the client/resident.
- Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being of residents and families.
- Provide personal care and assistance competently in ways that maintain safety for self and others.
- Perform the care-giver role in a reflective, responsible, accountable and professional manner within the parameters of the HCA role.
- Communicate clearly, accurately and in sensitive ways with residents and families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of interactions with other members of the healthcare team which would contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals, and successfully apply this knowledge at a beginning level.
- Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning and health enhancement needs.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided to students at the beginning of the semester.