Health Care Aide Program
Program Overview
Many seniors or individuals who are faced with physical or mental challenges would like to remain independent in their own homes. The Health Care Aide is trained to effectively care for and assist these people. The Health Care Aide provides similar services to individuals in institutional settings such as special care homes. The program is available for full-time pre-employment delivery. Part-time delivery of program is possible.
Courses
(click item to view course description)An introduction to the basics of the structure and function of human body systems.
Contact Hours: 30
An introduction to basic communication theory. The course is designed to give students an understanding of their own communication style, enabling them to apply the theory of good communication to their own unique approach and build on their strengths. It also allows students to examine the traditional role of story telling, and suggests a method for incorporating this tradition into communication with an Elder.
Contact Hours: 30
Students discuss and practice behaviours such as empathy, respect and genuineness as they learn to communicate more effectively as health care providers.
Contact Hours: 30
Students explore the many facets of dementia. Main areas of study include the complex nature of dementia, associated behaviours and ways of effectively working with them, as well as the impact dementia has on caregivers, both formal and informal.
Contact Hours: 45
An introduction to various family models, including the family life cycle. The aide’s role in working with families is also discussed, as the family is affected by illness or disability of a family member.
Contact Hours: 18
Includes the Basic Rescuer CPR C course and St. John's Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
Contact Hours: 24
Home Care experiences must be in an established home care program.
Contact Hours: 30
Home Care experiences must be in an established home care program.
Contact Hours: 30
An introduction to the development stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood, along with the physical and emotional needs in each stage. Social well-being and touch, intimacy and sexuality are also discussed.
Contact Hours: 30
Through lectures, reading, reflection and classroom activities, students enhance their personal competence and discover their value as part of the health care team. Being a health care provider is a "hands-on" job, and this course is designed to include an experimental format to reflect this. This course also covers the philosophies and goals of long-term health care, reviews organizational structures, and deals with team work and professional conduct.
Contact Hours: 30
Home Care experiences must be in an established home care program.
Contact Hours: 96
Requirements as for Longterm Care Practicum I.
Contact Hours: 80
This course discusses healthy eating using both the Canada Food Guide and First Nation, Inuit and Métis Food Guide. Students learn how to plan menus for various diets and the importance of fluid balance for their clients. The course includes some food preparation, including purchasing food and following recipes, and an introduction to therapeutic guides.
Contact Hours: 30
This course develops skills for the health care aide in providing basic personal care for clients, such as bathing and skin care, use of bath equipment, bed making, grooming, dressing and oral hygiene.
Contact Hours: 45
This continuation of Basic Personal Care (PRCR 110) focuses on skills necessary to care for clients with bowel and bladder problems, including collecting specimens and providing ostomy care. Students learn how to use lifting devices, how to position a client, maintain joint mobility. The course also addresses skills of simple treatments, taking vital signs and assisting with medications.
Contact Hours: 45
This course informs students about caring for clients who have been acutely ill and are discharged home or to a long-term care facility. It includes information about post acute medical and post acute surgical conditions.
Contact Hours: 30
A workshop course that provides students with the skills necessary to prevent and respond defensively in aggressive situations. It is in accordance with Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) standards.
Contact Hours: 16
In this course, students are introduced to the medical terminology required for them to effectively work with a client and the care team. Other topics include care planning, problem solving, observing a client's status and recording information.
Contact Hours: 30
This course provides an overview of the safety issues in caregiving that protect the client and caregiver. It includes infection control, body mechanics, general household safety and fire safety. It also describes the aide's role in maintaining a clean, safe home for the client.
Contact Hours: 30
In this course, students learn proper procedures for the safe handling of food in order to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Contact Hours: 6-8
An examination of chronic conditions related to various illnesses such as cardiovascular illness, musculoskeletal disorder and respiratory diseases, as well as general interventions.
Contact Hours: 30
In this course, students study sensory impairment, neurological disorders, diabetes and renal diseases.
Contact Hours: 30
This course focuses on cancer, palliative care and mental disabilities.
Contact Hours: 30
An examination of the many facets of mental health and the disease processes which affect mental health. Infectious diseases and care implications are also addressed.
Contact Hours: 30
This course was developed by SAHO Workplace Health and Safety Division in an attempt to reduce injuries to health care personnel caused by heavy lifting and moving. It includes theory and practice in safe transferring and positioning of clients.
Contact Hours: 6
WHMIS is a worker education programs that instruct workers about the contents and significance of labels and MSDSs and how to work safely with hazardous materials. The ultimate goal is to create a safer workplace by providing workers with the knowledge and tools to enable them to work safely.
In this course, students examine three broad areas of abuse: the abuse of elders receiving care from both formal and informal caregivers, family violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. The interrelation of these forms of abuse is explored and students have an opportunity to understand their role as caregivers when dealing with abuse.
Contact Hours: 30
