by Maria Driscoll

Holland College Executive Director of Program Operations, Brian McMillan, announced today that beginning in the Fall of 2002, a new Resident Care Worker program will be offered within the College's Health and Community Services division.

"This program responds to the needs of Islanders who want to work in this industry and to our health care system which certainly needs them," commented McMillan. The Resident Care Worker program will complement the College's Nursing Assistant program. This program presently takes 32 students each year and receives over 120 applications annually from interested students.

Under the supervision of nurses, Resident Care Workers assist in the basic care of patients. They are employed mainly in nursing homes, community care facilities and home care. The Resident Care Worker program will provide training in a variety of areas including meeting the psycho-social and physical needs of residents, assisting with rehabilitation and with special needs.

In Prince Edward Island, the long term employment outlook for this occupation is good with a consistent year-round demand for Resident Care Workers. As the provincial health care system continually moves towards more in-home care, increased job opportunities are expected within community agencies and with private home-care companies. The rising health care demands of an aging population are expected to provide for opportunities in hospitals, community care and long-term care facilities and nursing homes.