Health Care Assistant (HCAP)
This is a list of the Health Care Assistant (HCAP) courses available at KPU.
Enrolment in some sections of these courses is restricted to students in particular programs. See the Course Planner - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current information about individual courses.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
HCAP 11002 Credits
Health 1: Interpersonal Communication
Students will develop self-awareness, increased understanding of others and effective interpersonal communication skills that can be used in a variety of care-giving contexts. Students will reflect on the impact of their own communication choices and patterns. They will have opportunities to develop and use effective communication techniques and strategies to enhance personal and professional relationships.
HCAP 11103 Credits
Healing 1A: Caring for Individuals Experiencing Common Health Challenges
Students will identify normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students will explore common challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system with aging. Students will also be encouraged to explore person-centred practice as it relates to the common challenges to health.
HCAP 11201.5 Credits
Wellness: Health, Lifestyle & Choice
Students will explore the concept of wellness and the components of a health enhancing lifestyle. They will reflect on their own experience of wellness, recognizing challenges and resources that may impact on their choices and consequently their health. Students will be introduced to a wellness model that can be applied to understanding the multi-faceted aspects of health and healing.
HCAP 11211 Credits
Health 2: Lifestyle and Choices
Students are introduced to a holistic concept of health and the components of a health enhancing lifestyle. Students will reflect on their own experiences of health, recognizing challenges and resources that can impact lifestyle choices. Students will be introduced to a model that can be applied in other courses to understand the multi-faceted aspects of health and healing.
HCAP 11243 Credits
Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice 1
Students will develop a theoretical framework structured around human needs. They will understand the normal structure and function of the human body and normal bodily changes associated with aging. Students will describe factors that affect human needs as well as the influence of family and culture as they relate to health and healing. They will explore common challenges to health and healing in relation to each body system. Students will use a problem-solving model to develop critical thinking skills.
HCAP 11268 Credits
Personal Care Skills and Clinical Practice
Students will acquire knowledge and apply skills needed to provide personal care that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual well-being of client/residents with complex health challenges. They will gain experience in a variety of practice settings. Students will develop caring relationships with individuals and enhance problem solving skills and critical thinking skills.
HCAP 11303 Credits
Healing 3A: Personal Care Skills
In the lab setting, students will acquire knowledge and apply skills needed to provide personal care that promotes the physical, psychological, social, cognitive, and spiritual well-being of clients/residents with complex health challenges. They will apply this knowledge in a variety of practice settings. Students will develop caring relationships with individuals and enhance problem solving skills and critical thinking skills in the lab setting which will transfer to the clinical areas.
HCAP 11351.5 Credits
Person Centered Practice in Healthcare
Students will explore the principles of a person-centered caring philosophy. They will recognize how their values, attitudes, feelings, and actions impact their support of individuals and their roles and responsibilities as Health Care Assistants. Students will consider the influence of family and community in their relationship and support with individuals. They will identify ethical and legal parameters of their practice. Students will examine the home support, complex care and assisted living service systems.
HCAP 11363 Credits
Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice
Students will be introduced to the philosophical values and theoretical understandings that provide a foundation for competent practice as a Health Care Assistant. Students focus on concepts of caring and person-centred care; basic human needs and human development; family, culture and diversity as they relate to health and healing. Students will also be introduced to a problem-solving model that will be critical to their practice.
HCAP 11505 Credits
Clinical Practice: Complex Care
Students will provide care in a variety of clinical settings, under supervision, to promote the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual well-being of clients/residents with complex health challenges. They will gain experience in a complex care setting. Students will develop caring relationships with individuals and enhance their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Co-requisites: HCAP 1130
HCAP 12103 Credits
Healing 1B: Complex Health Challenges
Students continue to explore the structure and function of the human body focusing on more complex challenges of each body system as associated with aging. Students will also explore person-centred practice as it relates to the complex challenges to health and in particular to end-of-life care.
Prerequisites: All of HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
HCAP 12204 Credits
Healing 2: Caring for Individuals with Cognitive or Mental Health Challenges
Students will explore concepts and models applicable to the care of individuals with dementia or mental health challenges as they age. They will identify communication strategies that facilitate providing care. The emphasis in this course is on supporting clients with dementia, recognizing responsive behaviours and identifying person-centred intervention strategies. Students will have a practical experience on an adult special care unit.
Prerequisites: All of HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
HCAP 12243 Credits
Health and Healing: Concepts for Practice 2
Students will continue to develop a theoretical framework structured around human needs. They will apply a problem-solving approach when caring for people with complex health challenges. Students will examine resources and care-giving practices that promote and support client/resident-focused interventions for health, healing and end-of-life care.
Prerequisites: HCAP 1124 and HCAP 1126 and HCAP 1135 and ECHS 1114
HCAP 12253 Credits
Health Care Assistant Advanced Skills
Students will acquire advanced skills in a simulated setting necessary to provide care collaboratively with clients in the community. They will practice adaptations to care to promote the comfort, safety and independence of the client within the parameters of the health care assistant (HCA) role. Students will identify and reflect on issues of abuse/neglect and diversity in a home setting. They will develop employment finding skills.
Prerequisites: HCAP 1126 and ECHS 1114
HCAP 12303 Credits
Healing 3B: Advanced Personal Care Skills
Students acquire advanced personal care and assistance skills within the parameters of the Health Care Assistant role. Students will integrate theory from other courses to develop care-giver skills that maintain and promote the comfort, safety and independence of individuals in community and facility contexts, including acute care.
Prerequisites: All HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
HCAP 12361 Credits
Health Care Assistant: Introduction to Practice
Students will explore the role of the Health Care Assistant within the British Columbia health care system. Students will identify roles of the interdisciplinary health care team members. They will articulate the role and function of Health Care Assistants within that team. Students will also have opportunities to develop self-reflective skills required for competent practice. They will develop the skills required for effective job-finding approaches.
Prerequisites: HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150
HCAP 12405 Credits
Dementia and Special Needs: Theory and Practice
Students will explore concepts and models applicable to the care of individuals with dementia or mental health challenges as they age. They will identify communication strategies that facilitate providing care. Students will recognize behaviors and identify person-centered intervention strategies. They will become familiar with the home and community resources that support individuals and families dealing with the challenges of dementia and mental health issues in aging. Students will have a practical experience on an adult special care unit.
Prerequisites: HCAP 1126
HCAP 12455 Credits
Health Care Assistant Final Practicum
Students will consolidate knowledge and skills in preparation for assuming the role and responsibilities of a beginning practitioner. They will have a full time experience in an assisted living, home support and long-term care setting.
Prerequisites: HCAP 1224 and HCAP 1225 and HCAP 1240
HCAP 12505 Credits
Health Care Assistant: Final Practicum
Students will consolidate knowledge and skills in preparation for assuming the role and responsibilities of a beginning practitioner. They will provide care to during a full time placement in a Complex Care Facility, Assisted Living and Adult Day Center or Group Home setting.
Prerequisites: All of HCAP 1210, 1220, 1230, 1236 and 1260
HCAP 12601 Credits
Technology for Health Care
Students will develop their skills in the use of computers and the Internet. They will explore the application of technology in healthcare.
Prerequisites: All of HCAP 1100, 1110, 1121, 1130, 1136 and 1150