Course: Health Care Assistant & Communication

This program is ideal for international students or new immigrants who do not speak English as a first language. It is also suitable for students without a health care background who are not familiar with medical terminology.

• Year 1 - offers Progressive English Training, which will help you achieve the necessary language requirement to enter the second year.
• Year 2 - provides Health Care Career Training, which includes training in medical terminology, and skills and knowledge in taking care of young, mothers, elderly, family, and those with disabilities and chronic illness.

If language proficiency requirements are met, applicants can apply and may be directly accepted into the second year.

Important Information

1. Effective September 2016, Gateway College will be implementing the HCA Provincial Curriculum 2015 into all the HCA courses. Graduates of the Health Care Assistant delivered by Gateway College are eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry. (Health Care Assistant & Communication YR2 program only)
2. This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.

Year 1

• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 3:00 pm
• Length: 32 weeks or 864 hours
• Delivery Mode: Traditional (In-class)
• Campus: Vancouver, BC
• Start dates for the year 2021: Every Monday

Tuition and Fees:

• Non-refundable Application Fee: $250 (Domestic)/ $300 (International)
• Tuition: $12,044 (Domestic/International)
• Textbooks: $450, Student ID: $10, Program Processing: $150, Administration: $150, Health Insurance*: $144 (3 months coverage wait period for BC Medical Service Plan)

* Optional, only if applicable.

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to starting of the study period or must be graduated from grade 12. (or equivalent)
• Acceptable Criminal Record Check report, or complete the Consent to a Criminal Record Check form at Gateway College

Language Competency Requirement

Not required

Program Overview

Intensive English Program

This program includes 27 hours of weekly instruction on the necessary components of ESL acquisition and via practice. Students will also be included in a weekly activity that will further enhance their English skills and cultural experiences in Canada.

Program Schedule

Week 1-32 (On-site, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm): ESL Class

If language proficiency requirements are met, applicants can apply and may be directly accepted into the second year. At any point, language proficiency requirements are met during Year 1, students can transfer credit and enroll in Year 2.

Year 2

• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 3:00pm
• Length: 1,055 hours over 33 weeks
• Delivery Mode: Traditional (In-class)
• Campus: Vancouver, BC
• Start dates for Year 2: January 31, May 30, and September 26.

Tution and Fees:

• Non-refundable Application Fee: $250 (Domestic)/ $300 (International)
• Tuition: $5,955 (Domestic)/ $13,725 (International)
• Document Processing: $250 (Domestic)/ $300 (International)
• Textbooks: $245, Materials/Supplies: $480, Lab: $20, Student ID: $10, Program Completion Processing: $150, Administration: $150, Health Insurance*: $165 (3 months coverage wait period for BC Medical Service Plan)

* Optional, only if applicable.

Program Overview

Part I: Medical Terminology and Communication in Healthcare

This course is designed for students who have no medical background or for those who are in the health care profession and would like to improve their medical terminology and communication skills in Health Care. These knowledge and skills are a vital part of the communication process in health care and will further improve the delivery of care to residents in acute or community settings. The unique approach and combination of word-building principles combined with the knowledge of Basic Anatomy and Physiology coupled with healthcare-focused communication training will provide an exceptional learning experience.

Part II: Essential Skills for Caregivers

This course has been developed mainly to train caregivers/support workers who are going to work with infants/children with various physical and emotional abilities or statuses. Caring for an infant provides a valuable service to the mother because it enables her to have more time and energy for herself and her family. The learners will have extensive knowledge of taking care of young and mothers and how to work with family.

Part III: Healthcare Assistant – Accelerated

This part is the accelerated version of the Health Care Assistant program. Students receive the same training and credentials but complete their studies within six months. Students will practice their techniques in labs equipped with articulated mannequins, hospital beds, medical gear, and fixtures. Furthermore, students will participate at a designated facility or a hospital and interact with patients throughout the practicum training period. This training will help students learn proficiency and the confidence most needed on a job.

Admission Information

• Applicants must be at least 19 years of age prior to starting of the study period or must be graduated from grade 12. (or equivalent)
• Applicants must provide proof of meeting English language competency requirements. (Please refer to the language proficiency policy.)

The following are to be completed prior to the first practice education experience:

• 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 Ministry of Justice, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults *
• First Aid
• CPR Level “C” or “HCP”
• FoodSafe Level 1 (or a course deemed equivalent)
• Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC) E-Learning Modules

* Additional Police Certificate from the country of origin, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults, is required for international students.

Language Proficiency

* CLBPT test is only available for students currently in Canada. The test result is valid for one year. (a CLB Report Card from a LINC Program may also be accepted.)

** The test result is valid for two years.

What to Expect- Program Schedule

Upon successful completion of the Health Care Assistant and Communication – Year 2 program, students will be granted the following credentials:

• Health Care Assistant & Communication Diploma
• Dementia Certificate
• Medication Administration Certificate
• HCA Acute Care Certificate
• Provincial Violence Prevention Certificate

*Eligibility to register with the "BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

Program Schedule

• Week 1-10 (On-campus, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm): Theory courses
• Week 11-22 (On-campus, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm): Theory courses
• Week 23-26 (On-campus, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm): Healing 3: Personal Care and Assistance (lab training)
• Week 27-33 (On-site, variable 40 hours a week schedule): Work Experience courses

Healthcare Assistant Program Outline

• Medical Terminology (Basic Word Structure, Organization of the Body, Suffixes, Prefixes, Medical specialists and case reports)
• Caring for Mother and Infants.
• Caring for Young
• Developmental Disabilities
• Growth and Development
• Working with Clients and their families
• Concepts for Practice (theory, roles, law, organization)
• Interpersonal Communications (empathy, medical terms)
• Anatomy and Physiology (intro to body systems)
• Lifestyle and Choices (activities of daily living)
• Personal Care Skills (hygiene, comfort, simple treatments)
• Caring for Common Health Challenges (life cycle)
• Mobility Techniques (body mechanics)
• Pharmacology (assisting with medication delivery)
• Gerontology (study of aging process, demography)
• Cognitive and Mental Health (including addictions)
• Dementia (causes, stages, behaviors, Alzheimer’s Disease)
• Palliative Care (end-of-life care, pain management, grieving)
• Family Dynamics (culture, diversity, domestic violence)
• Nutrition (menu planning, diet, Canada’s Food Guide)
• Safe Work Practices (infection control, fire safety)
• Assault Response (defensive and preventive skills)
• Professional Development (transitions, employment skills)
• Basic Computer Skills (Word Processing, Email, Internet Search, Netiquette) *
• Acute Care (Acute Care Settings, Roles of HCA in Acute Care) *

Courses

• Medical Terminology
• Essential Skills for Caregivers
• Health and Healing: Concept for Practice
• Health Care Assistant: Introduction to Practice
• Health 1: Interpersonal Communications
• Health 2: Lifestyle and Choices
• Healing 1: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Common Health Challenges
• Healing 2: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Cognitive or Mental Challenges
• Healing 3: Personal Care and Assistant
• Practice Experience in Home Support and/or Assisted Living
• Practice Experience in Multi-Level and/or Complex Care