Transitional & Continuing Education for Health Care Assistants

This online education program is designed for Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Health Care Assistants (HCAs) and Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs) to develop skills and knowledge and become more comfortable in caring for people with life-limiting illnesses. Participants will become more comfortable and confident when providing palliative care and supporting families. The program consists of ten, self-paced, online courses. Each course is 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants who complete the ten course program will receive a National Palliative Care Education Certificate.

See the PACE for PSWs Website for more information and to register.

This online facilitated course focuses on practical skills that can be applied immediately in learners’ work settings to promote their clients’ health and safety. The course equips home care aides with evidence-based tools in effective communication, team-building, identification of risk factors, and implementation of proven strategies for fall prevention. This is a 3-week, online course, with no requirement to be online at any particular time (expect 3-5 hours’ study time per week). See the University of Victoria website for more information and to register.

SafeCare BC is committed to providing outstanding professional development for continuing care workers in BC as well as connecting continuing care workers to other professional development opportunities. Courses include:

• Violence Prevention
• Creating Connections: Working with People with Dimentia
• Safe Resident Handling

Learn more.

This four course, part-time, online program is designed primarily for staff who aspire to move into leadership positions within the rapidly expanding long-term care industry, but is also open to individuals with experience in other industries. The program will provide an overview of the key concepts necessary for successful leadership in long-term care. For program description, click here.

Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, without judging.” Often, we can be lost in our thoughts or distractions and miss out on what really matters in our lives. Offered over eight evenings plus one full-day retreat, this program offers guided mindfulness meditation practices that help participants learn to focus their energy and attention, and manage distractions and stresses to live mindfully. Learn more.

The program provides specialized professional development for individuals who have previous education and training in health care (LPNs, RNs, HCAs, and home care aides) or community support (education assistants and community support graduates). Participants learn to plan and implement supervised activities for older adults with cognitive and physical impairments, gain hands-on experience, and make employer connections with supervised practicum experience.

BC Post-Secondary Institutions that offer an Activity Assistant Program:

• North Island College
• Drake Medox College
• University of Fraser Valley
• College of the Rockies
• Vancouver Island University

This list of courses has been selected to promote the learning and development of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in BC. Health care assistants are encouraged to take these courses to increase their awareness and learn about how to provide culturally safe care to Indigenous people.

Access programs prepare health care assistants to become licensed practical nurses. The BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) provides a listing of Access programs here. For more information about a specific program and their requirements, please contact the educational institution directly.

An Access to Practical Nursing (APN) Education Incentive Bursary is available for students enrolled in a recognized APN program at a BC-based public institution. For more information, click here.