British Columbia Distance Learning Programs Tips
Read these 5 British Columbia Distance Learning Programs Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Canadian Distance Learning tips and hundreds of other topics.
Obtaining a Home Support Attendant Certificate
For British Columbia residents seeking Home Support Attendant training, an online option exists. A 15.5 certificate -- the Home Support Attendant certificate -- offers both academic and practical training. The practicum and preceptorship takes place in Vancouver and students must complete this to graduate.
What are the academic requirements for entry into the Home Support Attendant certificate program?
British Columbia residents, having either grade 12 or the BC adult graduation diploma may be admitted to the Home Support Attendant certificate program. Additionally, students must take an English comprehension and reading test before being admitted.
What are some of the health and social requirements for entry into the Home Support Attendant certificate program?
- Current immunization against Hepatitis B.
- A medical assessment by a family physician.
- Current First Aid and CPR at level C, for infants and adults.
- Clear criminal record check for the work practicum component.
- A letter from a recognized social or community based agency demonstrating that a student has completed 60 hours of volunteerism.
The Home Support Attendant certificate, gives students entry level skills to work in the health sector. A job ready certificate, students may find themselves employed in:
- Nursing home or long term health facility
- Private homes
- Group homes
- Community-based centers; drop-in centers, shelters and non-profit agencies
- Through private home health agencies
Health Courses: (all mandatory)
- Personal Care
- Health and Lifestyle
- Lifestyle Choices
- Interpersonal Communication
- Health and Healing
- Nutrition
- Workplace health
For students without the 60 hours of recognized volunteerism, a 60 hour work placement, through a designated home health facility must be undertaken. Completed under clinical supervision, students are able to demonstrate application of the preceptorship requirement of the program, for the duration of the work placement or practicum. Preceptorship refers to the application of caring skills and philosophies to the human life cycle. Students may find themselves applying these skills to adults or seniors, during the work practicum.
Placements always take place in Vancouver and students must take responsibility for the possible transportation costs involved.
Obtaining a Registered Nurse Refresher Certificate
For RNs (Registered Nurses) wishing to update their skills and re-enter the workplace, an online distance registered nurse refresher certificate is available. Made up of 18 credits, the refresher certificate is designed to get experienced RN's back to work in the health field. The curriculum follows two guidelines of the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and Competencies in the Context of Entry-level Registered Nurse Practice in BC.
Who is Eligible for Entry into the Registered Nurse Refresher Certificate Program?
- Graduates from a recognized Nursing Program
- RNs who have actively worked as nurses in the last 10 years.
- RNs registered with, or eligible for re-registration with the CRNBC
- Health Review (3) credits
- RN Nursing Skills lab (2) credits
- Nursing Update (12) credits
Graduates are eligible to renew their registered nurse licenses and begin practicing in hospitals, private homes and through home health agencies.
Obtaining a BC Social Service Work Certificate
Social work and support is a huge growth area in BC. For students interested in social work training, a job-ready BC Social Service Worker certificate exists. Available through Canadian distance learning, the academic courses are completed online. Students must attend one weekend workshop and their work practicum in Vancouver.
What Are the Eligibility and Academic Requirements for Admittance to the BC Social Service Work Certificate Program?
- BC residents only
- A grade 12, or BC adult graduation diploma
- A college level written communication course
- A college level introductory psychology course
- Proof of 60 hours of volunteerism is a social service or nonprofit organization.
What Are the Academic Components of the Social Service Worker Certificate?
- Special core courses in; Intro to Social Work Practice and Social Welfare in Canada.
- Social work theory and practice
- Counseling skills
- Lifespan development
- Social Science
- Practicum (must have criminal background check)
The largest growth area for social service workers is in the area of gerontology. As the baby boomers age, social service workers are assisting hospital social workers with discharge plans and the finding and implementation of long-term health management plans. Social service workers within a hospital setting may assist social workers with finding suitable long-term care arrangements for the elderly and infirm.
Obtaining a Practical Nurse Access Certificate
For BC and Yukon residents, wishing to acquire the designation of LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) an online training exists. Made up of 39.5 credits, students may have up to two and a half years to complete the Practical Nurse Access certificate.
The Practical Nurse Access certificate, available through Canadian distance education, enables students to upgrade their skills from prior health training, to become LPNs.
Who is Eligible for Admittance to the Practical Nurse Access Certificate Program?
- BC residents with an adult graduation diploma or grade 12 diploma, AND
- Hold a Home Support Attendant certificate (HSA) or a Residential Care Attendant certificate (RSA).
- Students possessing both credentials HSA/RSA are admitted into the program.
- Students must be able to demonstrate through written proof, that they have worked for at least 850 hours as a Home Support Attendant, in the last five years.
- Basic English test
- Proof of current immunization against Hepatitis B
- Health assessment by family physician
- Clear criminal record check for work practicum
- Purchase a stethoscope and nursing uniform for work practicum
Special educational requirements:
- Foundations and Human Relationships (3) credits
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (2.5) credits
- Health
- Nursing theory
- Nursing arts
- Healing
- Health and Professional Issues
Obtaining a Practical Nurse Access Certificate
There are some instances where a Canadian online education requires you attend classes on a campus and not just via the Internet. To graduate with a Practical Nurse Access certificate, students must attend two labs on campus, composed of seven to eight students. These labs are mandatory and students must cover the expense of attending them. The Canadian online education for a Practical Nurse Access Certificate also requires practicums. Two work placements or practicums are undertaken by students enrolled in the Practical Nurse Access certificate. One work placement is done in a long term care facility, and the second in an acute care facility. Both placements are clinically supervised and students get to participate and work with nursing teams and apply their nursing knowledge and skills. Graduates are prepared to work as a part of a health and nursing team in a variety of health settings. Upon graduation, a student may apply to the College of Licenced Practical Nurses of British Columbia (CLPNBC) for examinations and the designation of LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse).
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