Acute Care and the HCA Program
This section outlines key information on acute care for instructors to share with students. It has been updated to align with the language changes reflected in the 2023 HCA Program Provincial Curriculum.
The acute care content was originally added to the Health Care Assistant Provincial Curriculum Guide in 2015. The accompanying HCA Supplement provided an instructor guide to support faculty in incorporating the acute care content into the HCA program courses. This guide was based on materials developed by Island Health. Instructors were encouraged to adapt and integrate the content into their instructional activities, such as PowerPoint slides, student handouts, course manuals, and lab practice scenarios.
In 2023, the HCA Provincial Program Provincial Curriculum was updated to include the option of sending students to units such as acute care, transitional care, discharge planning, rehabilitation, and alternate levels of care. These clinical experiences are acceptable, provided the program learning outcomes can be met in these settings, and the placements do not replace the minimum 150 hours of instructor-led clinical required in complex care.
Note: This section is adapted from Island Health. (2012). Transitional Learning Continuum, Health Care Assistant in Acute Care Curriculum with permission from the Island Health Authority, B.C. Health Education Foundation, and the Ministry of Health Services.
1. Supervision Structures in Acute Care
Course: Introduction to Practice
Estimated time: 30 minutes
- Every health authority and unit has an organizational structure that outlines the supervision and reporting structure.
- Within a unit structure, there are members of the health care team that will guide the role of the HCA. This includes the team members the HCA will report to when supporting client care and unit operations. These team members may include, but are not limited to, Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs), Clinical Nurse Leads (CNLs) and Unit Managers.
- Supervisors can help determine which team members HCAs will regularly work with.
- Depending on who assigns tasks or delegates restricted activities, different team members need to establish supervision plans for the care activities that HCAs will support.
- Communication is essential when reporting to and collaborating with other health care team members.
- As an HCA, there will be times when different types of questions and concerns should be brought to different members of the health care team. HCAs can also talk to their unit supervisors/leaders for guidance.
2. Characteristics of Clients in Acute Care
Course: Common Health Challenges
Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- In most instances, acute care settings will be very different from complex and home or community care settings. The pace of activities and the variety of sights, sounds, and smells can be overwhelming for a new HCA. However, similar