Practice education experiences in the HCA program are critical to student learning. Through the practice experiences students apply the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes they have learned in all other courses in the program and become ready to undertake the role of an HCA in a community or facility setting.

Minimum hours: 270

To adequately prepare HCA program students for the demands of their work roles, all students should be provided with practice experience as follows:

1. One or more practice placement(s) in a multi-level care or complex care setting, which must include experience supporting clients with dementia.
   • Minimum hours: 210 hours
2. One or more practice placement(s) in a home support, assisted living, or group home setting.
   • Minimum hours: 60

Practice experiences may be offered as separate courses or as extensions of other courses in the program. It is important that there is a logical sequencing of learning in that students will first demonstrate they have learned requisite theory and practised personal care skills in the lab environment before caring for clients in real-life settings.

Concurrent Practice Experiences

Concurrent practice experiences allow students the opportunity to immediately apply the knowledge and skills that they are learning in their courses. Assignments or similar activities from theory and lab courses can be carried out and discussed in class or lab. Observations and experiences from the work environment can be brought into the classroom or lab in ways that assist students to more readily see the application of their new learning.

Block Practice Experiences

Block practice experiences allow students an opportunity to consolidate their learning. During a block practice experience, learners can immerse themselves in the work world without being distracted by the demands of other course requirements. Block practice experiences allow students to begin to make the transition from the student to the HCA role.