Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the role of the HCA within the British Columbia health care system. Students will be introduced to the health care team and the roles and functions of HCAs 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.

Minimum course hours: 30

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the roles and responsibilities of HCAs within the health care system in British Columbia:
   • 1.1 Describe the health care systems in British Columbia and Canada.
   • 1.2 Describe the processes by which individuals in British Columbia become eligible for long-term care.
   • 1.3 Discuss the goals, philosophy, and approaches used in assisted living facilities and how these might also be applied in other contexts.
   • 1.4 Describe the purpose and functions of employer standards, policies, and procedures.
   • 1.5 Discuss the importance of maintaining client and family confidentiality.
   • 1.6 Describe the roles and responsibilities of HCAs within the health care team.
   • 1.7 Describe the role of labour unions in health care in relation to membership, responsibilities, and implications for HCAs.
   • 1.8 Describe the role and mandate of bodies with oversight of HCAs in B.C.
2. Discuss strategies to support the effective functioning of the health care team:
   • 2.1 Discuss basic concepts of team development and group processes.
   • 2.2 Describe the benefits and challenges of working in a team, including diversity within the team.
   • 2.3 Describe principles of collaboration and cooperation that contribute to effective team functioning.
   • 2.4 Describe the roles and responsibilities of various members of the health care team.
   • 2.5 Discuss lines of communication.
3. Discuss the legal and ethical parameters of the HCA role and requirements for responsible and accountable practice:
   • 3.1 Discuss human rights as they relate to the provider and the recipient of care.
   • 3.2 Discuss elements of responsible and accountable behaviour.
   • 3.3 Delineate the legal and contractual limitations and obligations of HCAs.
   • 3.4 Delineate the legal implications of the written word.
   • 3.5 Discuss how to recognize ethical issues in practice and methods for resolving such issues.
   • 3.6 Discuss appropriate responses when a situation exceeds legal or employer-defined parameters of one’s role.
   • 3.7 Describe what is meant by professional boundaries in relation to relationships with clients and families.
4. Apply self-reflection and self-appraisal processes in order to recognize and respond to own self-development needs as a care provider:
   • 4.1 Discuss reflective practice: what it is, why it is important, how to become a reflective care provider.
   • 4.2 Discuss how personal competence of the care provider is a component of caring practice.
   • 4.3 Describe how self-assessment relates to self-development.
   • 4.4 Discuss the importance of lifelong learning for all care providers.
5. Confidently conduct a job-search process:
   • 5.1 Describe the challenges and rewards of specific work environments.
   • 5.2 Discuss criteria for selecting a work environment that fits one’s strengths, values, preferences, and lifestyle.
   • 5.3 Identify the components of applying for a job:
     • Preparing a clear, attractive resume and letter of application.
     • Completing a job application form.
     • Effectively participating in a job interview.
     • Finding resources to support the process of applying for a job.

Course Content

Workplace Settings and Contexts

• Introduction to the health care system in British Columbia and Canada.
• Long-term care assessment (how it is done and outcomes).
• Models of care — creating community, actualizing person-centred care.
• Assisted living — goals, philosophy, approaches — how these might also be applied in other contexts.
• Working in various health care settings (complex care, community care, and acute care) — challenges and opportunities.
• Agency, facility, and employer standards, policies, and procedures — purpose and function.
• Standards of care and care regulations.
• Importance of maintaining client and family confidentiality.
• Reporting and recording — when, what, how.
• Legal implications of the written word.
• Organizing within the work environment — managing time effectively.
• Use of workplace technology (computers).

Teamwork in Health Care Settings

• The health care team in various health care settings (complex care, community care, and acute care).
• Roles and responsibilities of various members of the health care team.
• The roles and responsibilities of HCAs in various settings.
• Legal limitations and obligations of HCAs.
  • Types of care activities:
    • Tasks: care activities that HCAs are educated and trained to perform as part of their assigned HCA role.
    • Restricted activities: higher-risk care activities outlined in health professional regulations that an HCA cannot perform without authorization (delegation) by a regulated health professional, such as a registered nurse. Restricted activities are not considered HCA tasks.
  • What to do when a situation exceeds the legal parameters of one’s role.
• Lines of communication, such as shift reports, team huddle meetings, phone calls, to ensure comprehensive communication and avoid or reduce missing information related to client care.
• Basic concepts of team development and group processes.
• Benefits and challenges of working in a team, including benefits and challenges of diversity within the team.
• Facilitating effective team functioning — principles of collaboration.
• Maintaining a respectful workplace including:
  • Characteristics of a respectful workplace.
  • Benefits of a respectful workplace.
  • Practical ways to show respect in the workplace (e.g., avoiding gossip, offering and accepting help, cleaning up after yourself, replacing something when you’ve taken the last of it, showing appreciation, using common courtesies).
  • Preventing and responding to bullying and harassment.

Legal and Ethical Issues

• Human rights: World Health Organization.
• Basic human rights in Canada.
• Rights of people receiving health care services.
• Rights of HCAs.
• Relevant contractual obligations that guide HCA practice.
• Ethical and legal parameters of HCA roles.
• Ethical standards and decision-making within one’s practice.
• Abuse — recognizing and reporting.
• Occupational health and safety.
• Employment standards.

Professional Approaches to Practice

• Responsible and accountable behaviour.
• HCA oversight in B.C.
• Role of the union — membership, rights, and responsibilities.
• Professional relationships with clients, family members, and other members of the health care team:
  • Roles and professional boundaries.
  • Principles of professional self-disclosure.
• Accountability and ethical behaviour in working relationships.
• Aspects of confidentiality in shared information and appropriate use of personal information.
• Inappropriate use of mobile devices and social media (for example, sharing confidential client information online, discussing workplace issues and conflicts on social media, or using personal phone during work hours).

Self-Reflective Practice

• Reflective practice — what it is, why it is important, how to become a reflective care provider.
• Personal competence as a component of caring.
• Impact of personal values, beliefs, and principles on practice.
• Self-assessment and self-development.
• Challenges and rewards of specific work environments.
• Selecting a work environment that fits own strengths, values, preferences, and lifestyle.
• The importance of lifelong learning.
• The function of motivation and commitment in ongoing learning and personal development.

Employability Skills

• Choosing an employer.
• Preparing a resume and letter of application.
• Completing a job application form.
• Effectively handling the job interview.
• Employer expectations.