Skills Enhancement for RCA's Certificate Program


Table of Contents
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Program Description

Students will be provided with additional knowledge and skills, increasingly requested by employers, in the areas of foot care, diabetes care and administration of medications.  These courses have been included in the B.C. Resident Care Aide/Pacific Coast Community College basic Resident Care Aide certificate program since November 2005.

This program builds on the foundation knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in resident care aid programs. 

Students will increase their awareness of changes in health status; relevant assessments, treatments and interventions; and increase their comfort in working with equipment commonly used in these three areas of practice.

This program helps prepare learners to complete selected portions of their employers’ delegated tasks certification process.

Program Content

The program consists of three courses.  ‘Care of the Client with Diabetes’ and ‘Foot Care’ are each 8 hours;  ‘Safe Medication Delivery and Administration’ is 16 hours.


Program Courses

Care of the Client with DiabetesPhysical, psychological and social changes that occur with the development, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes  Risk factors, diagnostic tests, symptoms, treatment (diet, exercise, medication, electronic blood glucose monitoring), complications, and emotional aspects of coping with a chronic illness.

Foot Care

Foot care and nail trimming, with the emphasis on safe and appropriate procedures for both the client and the Resident Care Aide. Careful assessment of normal and abnormal anatomy of the foot and use of equipment for nail care is demonstrated and practiced, including procedures designed to control the spread of infection.

Safe Medication

Delivery and AdministrationDecision making regarding types and effects of medications, drug information resources, at-risk and emergency situations, patient assessments, administration of medications (except s/c. IM, and IV), storage of medications, documentation, reporting, legal and regulatory requirements.  RCA responsibilities in medication assisting and administration, with emphasis on maximizing safe and appropriate procedures for both the client and the Resident Care Aide. 


Program Length

  • 32 hours over a total of 4 non-sequential days.  Offered on a part-time basis.
  • Program must be completed within 6 months of start date.
Prerequisites
  • Proof of graduation from an approved RCA/HS/Community Health Care Worker Program
  • English Requirements:  Must have at least Grade 10 English; must be sufficiently fluent in spoken English to understand classroom teaching and engage in clinical conversations; demonstrate ability to comprehend written text and classroom materials to a satisfactory level, and prepare written assignments

Program Costs
  • All fees are payable on registration
  • Tuition is $375.00 for all three courses if registering for them at the same time.  This includes a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00.  If students register for only one course at a time, the costs are $100.00 each for Diabetes Care and Foot Care, and $200.00 for the Medications courses, which includes a $10.00 non-refundable registration fee per course.

Information and Location

All classes are located at
Suite #202 -1338 West Broadway Vancouver, BC.  V6H 1H2

For more information, please call the Admissions Department,
Pacific Coast Community College
Phone:   604-730-1106

or email us at
Sharlet.w@residentcareaide.com

and find us on the Web at:
Pacific Coast Community College
www.bcp3c.ca

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