Health Care Assistant

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team in community and facility settings. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual well-being of clients/residents.

The HCA program offers the theory and practice associated with providing personal care and support to individuals within the community and in residential facilities. Personal care and support includes:

• emotional support
• assistance with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living
• upkeep of home
• food preparation
• family care

Theory and practice are planned to prepare graduates to work as caring individuals who assist clients/residents to achieve maximum independence in daily living.

This program is founded on concepts of caring, safety, critical thinking and decision making, and professional approaches to practice. These provide the underpinnings for the knowledge and skills that learners gain within the program.

Some courses are shared with other programs in the University to increase options for students who wish to further their education. This multidisciplinary approach promotes readiness for employment in the community by developing the student’s ability to function effectively within inter-professional teams.

Practical application of learning is basic to the program and students will be learning and working in the community throughout the program.

Classroom learning and sharing will prepare students for work experience, while work experience will enhance learning in the classroom.

HCA Program Outline

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Duration

This certificate program consists of 14 courses (40 credits). The program runs late August through May with a short break in December.

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General outcomes

Upon completion of the HCA program, graduates will be able to:

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

Four simple steps to starting your Yukon University education.

1. Apply online for most programs

• Please refer to the program page for specific application instructions for partnership programs such as Education, Social Work and Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences.

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2. Submit transcripts

Submit your official transcripts (mailed or email directly from your previous school). Applications without official transcripts cannot be processed.

Admissions Office
Yukon University
500 University Drive, PO Box 2799
Whitehorse YT
Y1A 5K4

Canadian applicants, please provide proof of your previous education in one of the following ways:

High school graduates

• Submit an official copy of your transcript
• Note: please be aware of all application deadlines and apply early, even though you may not yet have completed the required courses.

Grade 12 students

• Submit your transcript and a copy of your most recent report card
• Arrange to have your high school send a final transcript when it becomes available

Mature students
(19 years of age or older or 17 years of age and out of school at least one full academic year)

• Submit your high school transcript
• You may also be required to write University Assessments

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3. Notice of acceptance

Once we have your application and your official transcripts (or Assessments & testing results), we will make a decision about your acceptance into the program. It can take up to four weeks to process your application once we have all supporting documents, so please ensure that we have these as soon as possible.

Letters of acceptance, along with all future correspondence, will be emailed so please be sure that you have included an up-to-date email address with your application. 

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4.  Registration

After you have received your Letter of Acceptance into the program, you still need to register for your courses. This does not happen automatically. You need to talk to a Program Advisor to choose your courses.

Learn more about completing your enrolment