Health Care Assistant Certificate

Certificate
Type
Length
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Courses

Core Courses

HCAP-120
Concepts for Practice
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop a theoretical framework for practice. Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice as a Health Care Assistant (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.
HCAP-125
Interpersonal Communications
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
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 will be encouraged to become more aware of the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They will have opportunities to develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect and active listening skills.
HCAP-130
Lifestyle & Choices
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
This course introduces students to 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. Students will be introduced to a model that can be applied in other courses to understand the multifaceted aspects of health and healing.
HCAP-135
Intro to Practice
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
This course provides an introduction to the role of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) within the British Columbia health care system. Students will be introduced to the healthcare team and the roles and functions of the HCA within the team. Students will also have opportunities to develop self-reflective skills required for competent practice and will be introduced to effective job-finding approaches.
HCAP-140
Common Health Challenges
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: Two of HCAP-120, HCAP-125, HCAP-130, HCAP-135 minimum C
Description
This course 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.
HCAP-145
Cog. & Men. Health Challenges
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: Two of HCAP-120, HCAP-125, HCAP-130, HCAP-135 minimum C
Description
This course builds on content from other courses to assist students to explore concepts and caregiving approaches that will allow them to work effectively with individuals experiencing cognitive or mental challenges. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours and identifying person-centred intervention strategies.
HCAP-150
Personal Care and Assistance
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: HCAP-150L
Description
This practical course offers students the opportunity to acquire personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) role. The course is comprised of class and supervised laboratory experiences which 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.
HCAP-195
Practice Exp. Community Care
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Pre Requisite: HCAP-120, HCAP-125, HCAP-130, HCAP-135, HCAP-140, HCAP-145 minimum C and HCAP-150 minimum S
  • Required Supporting Practicum: HCAP-195P
Description
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 will be provided for students to become more familiar with the role of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) within a Home Support Agency, Assisted Living Facility and/or a Group Home, to gain abilities that will prepare graduates for employment in these settings. It is important that students understand the philosophy of community care settings and its emphasis on client choice and independence.
HCAP-199
Practice Exp Complex Care
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Practicum: HCAP-199P
Description
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 or complex care setting. A portion of this clinical experience is devoted to working with individuals with dementia. Opportunity will be provided for students to gain expertise and confidence with the role of the Health Care Assistant (HCA) within a residential care facility. The final three weeks of this course shall consist of a preceptorship during which the student performs clinical or other professional care-giving procedures in an appropriate healthcare setting under the immediate supervision of a fully qualified individual.

Entry Requirements

While it wasn’t always easy combining classroom time and field trips on top of the hours for studying and homework, it’s been great to gain so much hands-on experience during the courses.

Michelle Lindemann
Civil Engineering Technology

I like the problem-solving nature of millwrighting. I love how diverse the trade is. There’s always something new and different to work on.

Dusty Cathcart 2026
Vanderhoof Industrial Mechanic

This program gives you the ability to have a lot of hands-on time in the clinic where you can practice the skills you are learning and get a bit of an idea of what it is like to be a dental assistant.

Jordyn Karl
Dental Assistant Certificate Student

Taking this program is one of the most exciting things I could've done. It helped me grow into a professional, while also growing personally. I have carried my knowledge forward and will always hold the program and faculty close to my heart.

Janessa Sigurdson 2025
Accounting and Finance

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