COPD and Parkinson's Disease

2.5 hour session

This course explores Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Parkinson’s Disease at an introductory level.     

Topics will include:

• The mental, physical, and social impacts of chronic disease
• The physiological changes that occur with COPD and PD
• Strategies to assist clients with daily living
• How the community worker can support client’s self-management efforts, maximize their health and promote independence

Introduction to Diabetes

3 hour session

This course explores diabetes management at an introductory level.

Topics will include:

• The impact of diabetes on the individual, their family and workplace
• The physiological changes that occur with diabetes and complications
• The mental, physical, and social impact of living with diabetes
• How the community worker can support client’s self-management efforts (e.g. nutrition, blood sugar monitoring and use of medications)
• Health complications
  

Documentation & Reporting

3.5 hour session

This course explores key concepts and methodologies crucial for maintaining accurate, secure, and client-centered records.

Topic will include:

• PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act):

1. Understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities related to handling and protecting personal health information.

• Clear, Concise, and Client-Centered Documentation:

1. Techniques for creating clear and concise healthcare documentation while maintaining a client-centered approach.
2. Best practices for gathering relevant information and presenting it in a manner that is easily understood by diverse audiences.

• SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation):

1. Exploration of the SBAR communication model as a framework for effective reporting in community healthcare settings.
   

Empathic Strain

3 hour session

Empathic Strain has been described as “the cost of caring” for others, which results in deep emotional and physical exhaustion.

The work of helping requires health care professionals to open their hearts and minds to their clients, but it is this process which makes helpers vulnerable to being very affected by their work. Join us for this important topic.

 Topic will include:

• Vicarious trauma
• Warning signs that you may not be coping well
• Strategies for your workplace
• Self-awareness and mindfulness
• Coping strategies
• Strategies to balance life and work
  

 From Conflict to Partnership

3 hour session

Conflict is inevitable. However, you can learn the skills to manage conflict to build better relationships. This course aims to provide community staff with tools and strategies to manage conflict in the community, the workplace or even at home.
                                     

Topics will include:

• Negative and positive outcomes of conflict
• Factors that contribute to conflict in the workplace
• Strategies and tips to prevent and manage conflict

Note: This course is not intended for participants wanting to learn how to deal with behaviour in clients with mental illness or cognitive impairment.

Heart Failure and Stroke

3 hour session

This course explores stroke and heart failure at an introductory level.

Topics will include:

• The difference between acute and chronic disease
• The physiological changes that occur with each chronic disease
• How to identify and respond to changes in client's condition
• How the community worker can support client's self-management efforts
  

Medication Management

3.5 hour session

This  course explores the community support worker’s responsibilities when assisting with or administering medication to clients in the community.   

 Topics will include:

• An overview of medications including drug classifications, actions and, observations
• How medications work and factors that affect medication action and efficacy
• The unregulated care provider’s scope of practice as it relates to the Regulated Health Professionals Act (RHPA) and their employer’s policies and  procedures
• Best practice techniques when assisting with or administering medication through various routes
  

 Professionalism in the Workplace 

3 hour session

This course explores the concept of professionalism as it relates to the community support worker’s practice.

Topics will include:

• Legal and moral rights of the community care client and the principles that guide community support workers’ practice
• The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the unregulated care provider’s (UCP) Scope of Practice
• The therapeutic relationship and client centered care including Communication, Professional Boundaries, Privacy & Confidentiality and Ethics