COURSE CURRICULUM

The Health Care Assistant Certificate program consists of a series of structured courses designed to prepare students for professional caregiving roles in a variety of health care settings. The curriculum begins with HEAL 1000 Lifestyle and Choices and HEAL 1010 Concepts for Practice, which introduce foundational concepts of health, wellness, and caregiving principles. HEAL 1050 Interpersonal Communications focuses on developing strong communication skills essential for working with patients, families, and health care teams. HEAL 1100 Introduction to Practice provides an overview of the health care environment, while HEAL 1150 Personal Care and Assistance trains students in hands-on skills required for daily patient support. HEAL 1200 Common Health Challenges explores frequent medical conditions and how to respond to them appropriately in care settings. Students then apply their learning through supervised practice experiences, including HEAL 1250 in home support, assisted living, or group homes, and HEAL 1300 in multi-level or complex care environments, which together provide extensive real-world clinical exposure. HEAL 1350 Cognitive and/or Mental Health Challenges addresses care strategies for individuals with mental health or cognitive conditions. Throughout the program, students join a dedicated HCA cohort and participate in scheduled training sessions. Overall, the course sequence combines theory, communication, and practical experience to prepare graduates for effective, compassionate, and skilled health care practice.