Health Care Assisting (Certificate)
Curriculum Guideline
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Academic Admission Requirements:
- General College Admission Requirements (excluding the English Proficiency Requirement)
- 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: |
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*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
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American Samoa |
Falkland Islands |
Malta |
South Africa |
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
- 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:
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Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
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Semester 1 |
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Concepts for Practice |
3.00 |
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Lifestyle and Introduction to Practice |
3.00 |
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Interpersonal Communications |
3.00 |
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3.00 |
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Personal Care & Assistance I |
4.50 |
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Applied Practice Experience I |
2.00 |
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Semester 2 |
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Common Health Challenges II |
3.00 |
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Cognitive and Mental Health Challenges |
3.00 |
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Personal Care & Assistance II |
3.00 |
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Applied Practice Experience II |
3.75 |
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Applied Practice Experience III |
3.75 |
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Total Credits |
35.00 |
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Upon completion of the Health Care Assistant program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide person-centered care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client.
- 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.
- Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
- Provide person-centered care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
- Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
- Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts.
- Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner.
- Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs.
- Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner.