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Equipping students to serve seniors

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Columbia Bible College launches health care assistant program for Fall 2019

Columbia Bible College is delighted to announce the launch of its new Health Care Assistant program, which will qualify graduates to serve as care aides within health care settings across British Columbia.

Recognized by the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry and BC’s Private Training Institutions Branch, Columbia’s eight-month HCA program will follow the B.C.-approved curriculum for training care aides. It will also integrate a Christian perspective that aligns with the health care sector’s emphasis on person-centered care and give students tools to connect their Christian faith with their work via a newly developed course Foundations of Christian Vocation.

In launching this program, Columbia is working to address a major need within BC for well-trained health care assistants, and local care residences have responded with enthusiastic support.

Senior staff members from Tabor Village, Baptist Housing, and Menno Place served on the program advisory committee during the development of Columbia’s program, and are committed to welcoming Columbia’s HCA students for their practicum training experiences.

Tabor Village was pleased to work with Columbia Bible College to develop a Health Care Assistant (HCA) program that fills the gaps of retiring employees and fills the increased direct care staffing requirements,” says Dan Levitt, Tabor Village executive director. “It will be a pleasure to welcome practicum students and likely new hires from the CBC HCA programs.”

Menno Place also offered Columbia practical assistance with delivering the program, providing a dedicated laboratory space on their campus where students will complete the hands-on skills portion of their classes.

“In 2019, long-term care, assisted living, and home health care providers are facing an alarming health human resources crisis,” says Menno Place CEO Karen Baillie. “Our partnership with CBC in this HCA program will allow Menno Place to continue our 66-year ministry of caring for 700 seniors on our campus with 675 employees in keeping with our vision to be a ‘global leader in geriatric services by providing quality care and life in a Christian environment’ with the development of future employees who exhibit our values.”

“Baptist Housing is pleased to support Columbia Bible College’s Health Care Assistant Program,” says Terri Griffing, Baptist Housing vice president of human resources, which operates Hallmark on the Park in Abbotsford. “Through our partnership, student practicum opportunities are will be available at our senior living communities in Abbotsford, White Rock, and Vancouver. We feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this program and see the tremendous benefit for both our residents and students.”

Columbia Bible College president Bryan Born says: “In light of the direct link to Columbia’s mission of ‘equipping students to serve the church and community,’ we are especially excited to launch this much-needed program which will provide practical assistance to many wonderful seniors who, having spent a lifetime caring for others, now need a younger generation to offer them a helping hand.”

The first intake of the Health Care Assistant program is currently accepting applicants for an October program start. More info is available at columbiabc.edu/HCA.

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