Health Care Assistant - ESL (Certificate)

Admissions

Evidence of all of the following must be provided prior to acceptance:

1. English Language Proficiency Requirements:

BC HCA program applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Domestic and/or international applicants whose first language is not English will need to take a standardized proficiency assessment to confirm communicative competency in all four language skills areas (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of one of the following standardized English language proficiency test scores from an authorized assessment centre:

• Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) (testing within the last year):
  • • Listening 6
    • Speaking 6
    • Reading 5
    • Writing 5
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online) (testing within the last two years):
  • overall score of 50, with no section less than 40
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic or General (testing within the last two years):
  • • overall score of 5.5
    • minimum of 5.5 in Speaking and Listening
    • no score lower than 5 in Reading and Writing
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) (testing within the last two years):
  • • IBT with an overall score of 56
    • no score lower than 15 in Speaking and Listening
    • no score lower than 13 in Reading and Writing

Note: A CLB Report Card from a Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) Program may also be accepted. To confirm the appropriate level of English proficiency, LINC Report Cards (also may be known as ESL Student Progress Reports) would need to specify that an applicant’s current language level (“CLB levels now”), as “Completing” CLB Speaking 6, Listening 6, Reading 6 and Writing 6 AND that the “Recommended Class Placement for Next Term / Course” as Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7 and Writing 7.

2. Informational Interview:

• Attend an informational interview with the Health Care Assistant - English Language Development instructor to confirm program expectations, and discuss oral communication skills.

3. Information Session:

• Attendance at a Health Care Assistant program Information Session is required to ensure applicants have a strong understanding of the expectations of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program and the role of the HCA in the work environment. An online Information Session module is available for anyone unable to attend in person.

4. For International students: a clear police certificate from country of origin must also be included as a program entry requirement

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the learner will be able to 

1. Provide person-centred 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 healthcare 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

Curriculum

Program Participation Requirements

The following are required prior to the first clinical experience:

• FOODSAFE Level 1 (or course deemed equivalent) and Standard First Aid with CPR Level “C” or Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification are required prior to the first clinical placement. Students will be responsible for the cost of these certifications.
• Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) (available on the LearningHub), which must include the following:
  • A signed checklist SPECO Checklist.pdf (phsa.ca)
  • Proof of meeting current immunizations / vaccinations as per health care organization policies / guidelines, or signed vaccination exemption form (except TB)
  • Criminal record check from the Criminal Records Review Program (must be done through Camosun College), including clearance to work with vulnerable adults
  • Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum E-Learning Modules
  • WHMIS - Provincial Course
• Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (LearningHub)
• Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (LearningHub)
• A TB skin test or chest X-ray is compulsory. TB testing must be done within three months of program start and students must provide documentation of this prior to the start of the first practicum or experience with public clients. Students are responsible for the cost of this test. An additional TB skin test is required after each possible exposure to TB and/or travel within an area that there is a known prevalence of TB.
• Students are highly recommended to maintain current immunizations as per the Practice Education Guidelines of B.C. Recommended immunizations are found on the Health Sciences Placement Network of Canada website by searching for immunization guidelines. Failure to comply with immunization guidelines could result in the health care organization or the College barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until proof of immunity is provided and/or until a communicable disease outbreak is declared over. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement course and/or a clinical/practicum.
• The Provincial Practice Education Guidelines require students to complete the BC Provincial Violence Prevention Training prior to clinical/practicum placements. This training will occur during the program. Students will be notified in sufficient time for the training to occur and this training will be provided by a third party. Students will be responsible for any associated costs. Failure to comply with this training could result in the health care organization, community partner or the college barring the individual from the clinical/practicum setting until required training is completed. This could impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the clinical/practicum placement. Violence prevention training from other provinces does not transfer in and meet the requirements.

Program Completion Requirements

• Students must achieve a minimum of 70% (“B-“) in all academic courses; successfully complete the practicums and clinical placements; and are expected to complete ELD 056  to graduate with a Certificate in Health Care Assistant.