Introduction to Practice
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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-assessme