Upon completion of the Health Care Assistant program, graduates will be able to:

1. Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client.
2. Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families.
3. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
4. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
5. Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
6. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts.
7. Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner.
8. Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs.
9. Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner.

Program Learning Outcomes and Performance Indicators

1. Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client:
   • 1.1 Describe the characteristics of caring interactions in a variety of contexts.
   • 1.2 View each client as a whole, unique individual.
   • 1.3 Respect the individuality, diversity, and dignity of clients and families.
   • 1.4 Support the autonomy and independence of clients and their families.
   • 1.5 Encourage clients to be involved in their own care, make choices, and participate in decisions about their care and activities, as they are able.
   • 1.6 Display cultural sensitivity and cultural humility when interacting with clients and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
   • 1.7 Provide culturally safe and sensitive care.
   • 1.8 Display a non-judgmental approach in all aspects of care provision.
   • 1.9 Encourage clients to share their thoughts, feelings, and preferences.
   • 1.10 View the client as an individual possessing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and wisdom.
   • 1.11 Discuss traditional medicines, healing practices, and alternative forms of healing.
   • 1.12 Encourage family involvement, as appropriate, in the care of their family member.
   • 1.13 Observe family members for signs of stress and consult with an appropriate health care professional for direction.
   • 1.14 Recognize and report potential or suspected abusive or neglectful situations (including client’s self-neglect) promptly to a health professional for appropriate action.
2. Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families:
   • 2.1 Evaluate the client and situation using informed observation, reflection, and communication.
   • 2.2 Observe changes in the client’s health status and report these changes to the appropriate regulated/licensed health care professional.
   • 2.3 Identify priorities for care within the care plan.
   • 2.4 Use knowledge of health, healing, human needs, and human development to guide choices and actions.
   • 2.5 Use knowledge of the interrelationship between the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual dimensions of health to guide choices and actions.
   • 2.6 Discuss the importance of the family in health and healing.
   • 2.7 Use appropriate health care team members as resources to augment one’s own problem-solving and decision-making.
   • 2.8 Follow the care plan for each client.
   • 2.9 Consult with health care team members to review and evaluate care and make suggestions to modify the care plan as needed.
   • 2.10 Carry out recording requirements in a timely fashion.
   • 2.11 Use clear, current, factual, objective, and relevant language when reporting or documenting client information.
   • 2.12 Use current computer technology in accordance with workplace standards.
   • 2.13 Use creativity when required to adapt care and service to a variety of contexts.
   Note: The terms “evaluate,” “assess,” and “assessment” when referring to the role of the HCA will be understood to mean observing, gathering data, and making reasonable inferences at a level appropriate to the education of an HCA and in accordance with the HCA role as determined by the Ministry of Health.
3. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges:
   • 3.1 Base choices and actions on a sound understanding of normal anatomy and physiology and common changes associated with aging.
   • 3.2 Base choices and actions on a sound understanding of common challenges to health and healing.
   • 3.3 Base choices and actions on a clear understanding of the interrelationship of the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual dimensions of health and healing.
   • 3.4 Organize, administer, and evaluate care and service for clients with complex health challenges.
   • 3.5 Assist clients and families to maintain independent functioning within their capabilities.
   • 3.6 Provide caring and supportive end-of-life care for clients in a manner that promotes comfort and dignity and respects preferences and diversity.
4. Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges:
   • 4.1 Organize, administer, and evaluate care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
   • 4.2 Base choices and actions on a sound understanding of physical and psychosocial processes of cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
   • 4.3 Base choices and actions on an understanding of the factors that influence behaviours.
   • 4.4 Use an informed problem-solving process when caring for or providing assistance for individuals experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges.
   • 4.5 Demonstrate appropriate interactions with clients experiencing cognitive, behavioural, and psychological impairment.
   • 4.6 Cope constructively with unanticipated or unusual situations.
   • 4.7 Identify when crisis intervention skills are required and respond appropriately.
5. Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals:
   • 5.1 Recognize and respect diversity within the health care team.
   • 5.2 Use caring, respectful communication with all members of the health care team.
   • 5.3 Base interactions on a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various members of the health care team.
   • 5.4 Seek clarification, guidance, and assistance from other health care team members when needed.
   • 5.5 Contribute observations and information to care-planning sessions.
   • 5.6 Communicate changes in the client’s health status to the appropriate health care team member so that the care plan is kept current.
   • 5.7 Communicate with confidence and appropriate assertiveness.
   • 5.8 Offer support and assistance to other health care team members as appropriate.
   • 5.9 Report and record relevant information in a clear, concise, and objective manner.
   • 5.10 Use appropriate lines of communication in accordance with agency, facility, or employer standards and policies.
   • 5.11 Identify problems, concerns, and conflicts within the health care team and discuss these with appropriate team members in a timely manner.
   • 5.12 Approach problems or conflict in a non-threatening way.
   • 5.13 Respond non-defensively to feedback, even when provided in a critical or confrontational manner.
6. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts:
   • 6.1 Demonstrate an ability to write and speak English in a manner that can be easily understood.
   • 6.2 Use appropriate volume, tone, and vocabulary.
   • 6.3 Use language and a communication style that is appropriate to the client, family, or situation.
   • 6.4 Adapt to a client’s and family’s unique background, respecting the impact of diversity on communication.
   • 6.5 Observe common courtesies such as addressing the client and family members by name of choice.
   • 6.6 Identify barriers to communication and make efforts to improve communication.
   • 6.7 Describe the relationship between self-awareness, self-concept, and communication.
   • 6.8 Recognize how perceptions influence one’s reality and experience of situations.
   • 6.9 Interact in a manner that respects the rights, needs, interests, and preferences of others.
   • 6.10 Provide clear information to the client about the care or service to be provided and deal with questions or concerns in a calm and caring fashion.
   • 6.11 Use touch appropriately and respectfully.
   • 6.12 Use humour appropriately and respectfully.
   • 6.13 Recognize non-verbal communication.
   • 6.14 Use non-verbal attending skills including eye contact, body positioning, and attentive facial expression.
   • 6.15 Use active listening skills.
   • 6.16 Maintain appropriate interpersonal and professional boundaries.
   • 6.17 Use appropriate self-disclosure.
   • 6.18 Use effective approaches to conflict management.
   • 6.19 Demonstrate an understanding of the stressors experienced by clients and families as they are reflected in communication patterns.
   • 6.20 Recognize abusive communication and report in accordance with agency, facility, or employer standards and policies.
7. Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner:
   • 7.1 Wear safe and appropriate clothing, including identification.
   • 7.2 Evaluate the client and the environment prior to commencing care.
   • 7.3 Adjust environments, as appropriate, to ensure safety and promote efficiency.
   • 7.4 Adhere to the client’s care plan.
   • 7.5 Exhibit flexible and adaptable behaviour, setting priorities and making adjustments to the care process based on client requirements.
   • 7.6 Organize and implement care according to client needs.
   • 7.7 Organize time and equipment for safety and efficiency.
   • 7.8 Adhere to the principles of body mechanics.
   • 7.9 Adhere to the principles of medical asepsis and infection-control practices.
   • 7.10 Report, verbally and in writing, unsafe work environments.
   • 7.11 Recognize and make wise choices in situations of potential risk to self or others.
   • 7.12 Encourage client communication and engagement during personal care.
   • 7.13 Maintain client privacy and dignity.
   • 7.14 Assist the client with personal hygiene and grooming.
   • 7.15 Assist the client with movement and ambulation.
   • 7.16 Use aids to promote comfort, relaxation, and sleep.
   • 7.17 Take and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, and respirations) accurately.
   • 7.18 Identify basic dietary requirements related to the client’s health needs and preferences.
   • 7.19 Use appropriate techniques, strategies, and assistive devices to safely help clients who require support with eating and drinking.
   • 7.20 Assist the client with medication, as per the client’s care plan. (Medication administration is a restricted activity performed by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, as outlined in their profession specific regulation. HCAs must be authorized to administer medication by an appropriate regulated health professional such as a registered nurse.)
   • 7.21 Provide specialized, sensitive care for the dying client in line with palliative care principles.
8. Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning, and health-enhancement needs:
   • 8.1 Identify own learning needs for both personal and professional development.
   • 8.2 Invite feedback from other health care team members related to own performance.
   • 8.3 Collaborate with appropriate health professionals to identify and utilize opportunities for specific learning and training enhancement.
   • 8.4 Identify and utilize opportunities to learn from clients, families, and colleagues.
   • 8.5 Share new learning with other health care team members.
   • 8.6 Reflect on own choices and behaviours as they contribute to physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health.
   • 8.7 Strive to demonstrate healthful lifestyle and self-care practices.
   • 8.8 Apply self-reflection and self-appraisal processes in order to recognize and respond to self-development needs.
9. Perform the caregiver role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner:
   • 9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the components of the health care system in the region and province.
   • 9.2 Comply with legal and contractual parameters of practice for HCAs.
   • 9.3 Foster and uphold the mission, policies, and standards of the organization of employment.
   • 9.4 Adhere to the expectations and guidelines established in one’s job description.
   • 9.5 Clarify one’s own role to others when necessary.
   • 9.6 Demonstrate dependability, responsibility, accountability, reliability, honesty, and integrity.
   • 9.7 Reflect on one’s own values, beliefs, and standards in relation to caregiving practice.
   • 9.8 Recognize how one’s own beliefs, values, standards, and cultural background may be different from, or similar to, those of clients and families.
   • 9.9 Recognize how one’s own beliefs and values influence one’s responses to clients, families, and situations.
   • 9.10 Maintain a non-judgmental position when faced with difficult or unusual client or family situations.
   • 9.11 Advocate on behalf of the rights, needs, interests, and fair treatment of clients and their families.
   • 9.12 Maintain client and family confidentiality.
   • 9.13 Set appropriate personal boundaries in interactions with clients and family members.
   • 9.14 Recognize ethical issues in practice and seek appropriate methods for resolving such issues.
   • 9.15 Challenge questionable actions or decisions made by other health care team members.
   • 9.16 Reflect on the benefits and challenges of the HCA role.
   • 9.17 Champion the role of HCAs on the health care team.