Residential/Home Care Attendant Program
Campbell River, Cumberland, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni & Qualicum

Locations & Dates

Program Overview

Discovery Community College's Residential Care Attendant and Residential/Home Care Attendant programs are offered on site at residential care facilities. Our host facilities are:

Comox Valley: Cumberland Lodge, St. Joseph's Extended Care, Laurel Lodge, Oceanview
Port Alberni: Echo Village, Eagle Park Lodge, Rainbow Gardens, Westhaven and Fir Park
Campbell River: Sunshine Manor, Sunshine Lodge, Evergreen Place and Yucalta Lodge
Qualicum: Qualicum Manor, Eagle Park, Arrowsmith, and Qualicum Gardens
Nanaimo: Berwick on the Lake, Malaspina Gardens, Nanaimo Traveller's Lodge, and Kiwanis Village
Duncan: Cairnsmore, Cerwydden, and Cowichan Lodge

The philosophy of this program is based on a humanistic, experiential approach, featuring gradual immersion and hands-on training. Our program features small class sizes, with a maximum of 12 students per class. We believe adults learn by doing - and we integrate this philosophy with classroom and clinical experience. Our graduates are competent and confident with their knowledge base and clinical skills.

Program Content

Students in this program will learn to practice in a professional, ethical manner as a residential and home care attendant, and in a variety of settings, e.g. long-term care, home care and assisted living. They will learn to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

Our program contains a strong Dementia Care component, since this is the most significant determining factor for the elderly needing assistance today. This certificate program includes over 300 hours of clinical experience in long term and special care as well as a strong classroom component and exam on dementia. This 27-week program consists of classroom study and clinical practice. This is a hands-on immersion program: classes and clinical hours take place in the care facility or in a classroom and lab close by. In addition, there is one week of semester break.

We look forward to training you in this growing health care field.

Admission Requirements & Prerequisites

• Applicants must meet all of these entry requirements:
  Submission of completed application forms
  A satisfactory entrance interview with a College official
  British Columbia Grade 12 graduation OR pass an entrance examination at Continuing Education (please bring educational transcripts to your interview). An Adult Graduation Diploma will be accepted as equivalent. (Technical and Professional Communications 12, and English Literature 12, are both accepted as equivalent to English 12.)
  Health clearance note from doctor
  Current immunization record including hepatitis B vaccine (required)
  Diphtheria/Tetanus (as per facility)
  TB skin test
  Influenza inoculation is highly recommended
  Completed criminal record check under the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). To accomplish this applicants must provide a signed consent for a criminal records check under the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) at least three weeks before the start of their program
  Provide two letters of reference
  Provide proof that you have experience caring for persons in need of support (e.g. palliative care, home support, senior care)
  Provide proof of your ability to write and speak English

  Criminal Record Checks
  Discovery Community College will submit each applicant’s criminal record check (CRC) on-line to the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP). The status of the CRC does not automatically prevent an applicant from attending this program. However, any CRC that reveals “relevant” offences may make it difficult or impossible to place the student in a practicum or clinical. Students who cannot be placed in a practicum or clinical cannot graduate from this program and will be withdrawn.

  Some practicum or clinical hosts may require their own criminal record check. It is the Student's responsibility to provide this directly to the host. If the criminal record check reveals information that raises concerns relevant to the placement the host may decline the placement. Students who cannot be placed in a practicum or clinical cannot graduate from this program and will be withdrawn.

  Many facilities require a criminal record check (either through the CRRP or the RCMP). We recommend that applicants who are concerned about their criminal record complete their CRC through the CRRP before they begin the Residential Home Care Attendant Program.

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