A third offering of the Health Care Assistant certificate in 2013-14 will be open to 32 students.

Thompson Rivers University’s School of Nursing has received funding of $252,800 from the Ministry of Advanced Education to address the demand for more health care assistants (HCAs) in the province.

The Ministry funding will support a third cohort of the Health Care Assistant program in TRU’s 2013/2014 academic year. In addition to regular September and January intakes, the School of Nursing will offer an additional March 2014 intake in Kamloops of 32 students.

“We’re encouraging education that meets labour demands – training that gets British Columbians ready to contribute here in B.C., and to put a paycheque in their back pocket for doing so,” said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk at today’s announcement at Camosun College. ”

DEMAND FOR HEALTH CARE CONTINUES TO GROW
As the demand for health care continues to grow, we need to ensure that we continue to provide the right training in the right place to meet regional demands,” Virk added.

The provincial funding comes in response to TRU’s submission to the Ministry’s 2013/14 Call for Proposals for Short Duration Health Education programs. Graduates of the six-month HCA program enter the work force in residential care and assisted living facilities, as well as home support.

Throughout the province almost $1.8 million will support 12 programs, including mental health and addictions and health care assistant, to be offered at eight public post-secondary institutions, including TRU. This will create 221 additional student spaces in the province in 2013-14.

“These additional seats in TRU’s Health Care Assistant Program will ensure we are meeting the need for HCAs to care for the growing number of people in residential care and assisted living settings in BC communities,” said Donna Petri, TRU Associate Dean, School of Nursing.

WHAT HCA STUDENTS LEARN
TRU’s HCA students learn to provide care to older adults using a person-centred approach and to practice ethically in a responsible and accountable manner using caring and respectful communication skills. The program provides an understanding of the varying needs of people in residential care facilities, assisted living facilities and private homes through hands-on experience with partners in the community.

“Ridgeview Lodge is pleased to be in partnership with TRU School of Nursing. Ridgeview Lodge would like to thank TRU for responding to the growing need of Health Care Assistants in the long-term care setting. By adding another class of HCA students, it will ensure that our seniors will continue to be cared for in the manner that they deserve” said Dána Levere, General Manager Ridgeview Lodge.

APPLICATION AND ADVISING INFORMATION
Call Evelyn Senger at 250-852-7636 and for advising, Debra Clare at 1-250-377-6169.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
http://www.tru.ca/nursing/programs/hs_rcarequire.html

MORE INFORMATION
Donna Petri
Interim Dean, TRU School of Nursing
Tel: 250-828-5443
Email: dpetri@tru.ca