Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus banner image Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus banner image Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus banner image

Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus


Start Date: October


Location: West Prince Campus


Length: 30 Weeks


Credential: Certificate, Resident Care Worker


Program Availability: Fall 2025 Term

Canadian Applicants: Open

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Open

Other International Applicants: Open


Get your resident care worker certificate


As a resident care worker, you will provide safe, competent, and ethical care, to a diverse clientele, with varying degrees and types of illnesses and/or disabilities across the lifespan. You will provide personal care, support, and assistance with activities of daily living such as assisting with mobilization, positioning, meals, dressing, personal hygiene, and elimination. You will work collaboratively with the client and the multi-disciplinary team by holistically supporting the client’s physical, psychological, social, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual needs.

Theoretical knowledge includes coursework in foundational resident care worker concepts, the human body, mental health, and communications. Courses are supported by guided lab experiences and supervised clinical and practicum placements. You will apply your skills in real-world experiences and be exposed to multiple health care settings. Clinical and practicum placements may occur at various locations across Prince Edward Island and, as resident care work is practiced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you may be scheduled to attend clinical or practicum shifts early mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. All clinical and practicum costs are the responsibility of the student and there are no guarantees students will be placed at a preferred location or with a preferred shift schedule. Transportation to and from clinical sites is the responsibility of the student and public transit may not align with clinical shifts or location schedules.

The skills and abilities that a student in the resident care worker program must be able to perform to successfully complete the program include, but are not limited to:

  • Cognitive: Ability to remember multiple pieces of information at the same time. Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to determine an appropriate course of action in real life situations. 
  • Communication: Ability to present, express and receive written, verbal, and non-verbal language, and to document on paper and electronic charting systems (legibly and in English).
  • Interpersonal / Behavioural: Ability to conduct oneself in an ethical and professional manner to create positive relationships with a full range of clients, colleagues, individuals, and groups.
  • Sensory Perceptual: Ability to accurately perceive with each of the following senses, including sight, hearing, smell, and touch.
  • Physical: Ability to perform and have control over physical actions such as maintaining balance, manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, performing repetitive movements, bending, lifting, and carrying objects.
  • Environmental: Ability to function in the presence of commonly encountered and unavoidable environmental factors such as distractions, unpredictable behaviour of others, potentially unpleasant odours, disease agents, noise, and chemicals.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES


Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of human anatomy relevant to personal care and support duties.
  2. Deliver client-centered care that is respectful, compassionate, responsive, and consistent with the individual’s care plan.
  3. Participate as a member of the interprofessional care team and maintain collaborative working relationships in the provision of supportive care.
  4. Promote and maintain a safe environment for clients, families, and healthcare team members, including the implementation of infection prevention measures that are in accordance with facility policies and procedures.
  5. Demonstrate ethical client care and professional conduct in all interactions with clients, families, and healthcare team members.
  6. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the impact of cultural differences on healthcare and ensure that client care and services are inclusive of the values, attitudes, and beliefs of each client.
  7. Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients, families, and other members of the healthcare team within a variety of facility contexts.
  8. Document client care provided at an entry to practice RCW level in accordance with documentation guidelines, ethical principles, and facility policies and procedures.
  9. Participate in lifelong learning activities that promote career growth and personal development.

This program is located at the West Prince Campus.

ADDITIONAL INTAKES


This program is offered at multiple campus locations. Program fees may vary depending on the start date or location. Choose an option to learn more.

Resident Care Worker - Prince of Wales Campus

Resident Care Worker - Souris

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ISLAND STUDENTS

Note for PEI Applicants:  Residents of Prince Edward Island will receive financial assistance, including 100% tuition support to help them complete a post-secondary certificate or diploma and commit to working in Prince Edward Island.  The process to apply can be found hereResident Care Worker Support Program | Government of Prince Edward Island


  • Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
  • Standard First Aid and CPR Level C from a recognized First Aid/CPR ProviderThis training must be taken in person, NOT online. 
  • Food Safety Training Certificate from a recognized PEI Health and Wellness provider. 
  • Current Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) certificate.
  • Completion of an Immunization Verification Form (required after acceptance) (this is a PDF and will open in a new window)
  • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.

NOTES

  • If you are accepted to this program, you can book your immunizations and medical assessment through our Health Clinic. To book an appointment, please email npclinic@hollandcollege.com or call 902-566-9392. You will need your health card and your vaccination record. 
  • Preference will be given to applicants with Grade 12 academic English. This program and industry require students to lift, move and transfer clients. Students are also required to conduct frequent hand washing, use soaps/lotions for bathing clients and be exposed to cleaning and sanitizing chemicals. Students who suffer from food allergies should also be aware that they are required to assist in feeding clients and are therefore exposed to a wide variety of foods.
  • Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check:
    Before attending any practicum or clinical portions of the program, a student must submit a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector check. If the check indicates that a record exists, the student may not be able to complete portions of their program that are required for graduation. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student.
  • Don’t have the courses you need to get into this program? Upgrade, earn high school credits, or get your high school equivalency credential in Adult Ed. It’s free!
  • If your first language is not English please review our English Language Requirements page.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

Fees are Course Based

30 Weeks

Canadian

International

Tuition $ 4,786 $9,886
Fees $867 $1,637
Other Costs $ 950  $950
Total $ 6,603 $12,453 
/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

30 Weeks

Tuition $4,786
Lab Fee $150
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $445
Additional Courses -
Graduation Fee $100
   Total payable to Holland College $5,653
   
1st installment due first day of first semester $3,240
2nd installment due first day of second semester $2,413
   

Other Costs
Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.

30 Weeks

Books $500
Materials/Supplies $100
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids $350
     Total $950
   
Grand Total $6,603

Note:

  • The Province of Prince Edward Island recently announced a Resident Care Worker Support Program. If you live on Prince Edward Island, you may be eligible for funding through this initiative. Applicants must be approved by SkillsPEI before beginning the program. For more information go to the Province's website.

International Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

30 Weeks

Tuition* $9,886
Lab Fee $150
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $1,195
Additional Courses -
Graduation Fee $100
     Total payable to Holland College $11,503
   
1st installment due first day of first semester $9,090
2nd installment due first day of second semester $2,413
   

Other Costs
Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.

30 Weeks

Books $500
Materials/Supplies $100
Equipment/Uniforms/Teaching Aids $350
      Total $950
   
Grand Total $12,453

*Includes the International Student Fee.

  • Long-term care facilities
  • Home support services
  • Mental Health facilities
  • Self-employment
  • Acute care facilities

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:ANAT-1100

The Human Body

This course introduces students to the structure and function of the human body in its normal, healthy state. Students examine body systems, their components and processes, and how they interrelate.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:COMM-1070

RCW Communications

This course teaches students to better communicate within healthcare settings. Students will explore concepts in interpersonal communication, written communication and documentation, the dynamics of team performance, and communication with diverse populations.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:NCPR-1006

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

Students attain skills on how to prevent a potential crisis from occuring and how to intervene in a crisis situation. Students are introduced to and practice physical skills to use when managing disruptive behaviours.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1007

Palliative Care Workshop

The goal of the Palliative Care Workshop is to provide students with evidence-based theories on grief and loss and death and dying thereby enabling students' to recognize the needs of all patients with progressive illnesses, implement quality palliative care and improve the care and treatment for dying patients. Students will apply their knowledge of grief and loss to create effective nursing care plans for patients and include their family members in the process offering information on grief counselling as needed. Also, students will be aware of their own need for grief counselling and seek help for stress and burnout.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1008

Gentle Persuasive Approach

The Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) is an innovative dementia care curriculum based on a person-centered care approach. GPA also includes respectful self-protective and gentle redirection technique for use in situations of risk. Designed for interdisciplinary point of care staff across a variety of sectors, GPA is delivered in an evidence-based, interactive session.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1010

Musculo-Skeletal Injury Prevention for Healthcare Students

This course is an injury prevention program designed to promote healthy lifestyles and safe work practices for anyone associated with moving people and/or objects. Its purpose is to improve how individuals prepare for and accomplish their work and decreases the frequency and severity of lost time related to musculoskeletal injuries.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NURS-1010

Fundamental Nursing Skills Lab

Students acquire personal care skills aimed at maintaining and promoting client comfort, safety, and independence. Students develop competence and confidence in the application of client care skills by practicing the skills in a nursing lab simulating a client care unit.

Credit Value:1


Course Code:PRAC-1220

Long Term Care Clinical: RCW

Students apply knowledge and skill learned in the classroom and lab in the long-term care setting. Under the guidance and supervision of a clinical supervisor, students demonstrate clinical skills, including organization and time management, documentation, and professionalism in the healthcare setting.

Credit Value:4


Course Code:PRAC-1230

Acute Care Clinical: RCW

Students apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom, lab, and long-term care placement to the acute care and/or mental health setting under the direction of a clincial supervisor. Students organize and manage a multiple-client assignment while working as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team. Students will be working toward full independence and autonomy within the RCW role.

Credit Value:2


Course Code:PRAC-1310

Resident Care Worker Practicum

This course prepares students for the transition to practice in a health care setting. In this 4 week clinical placement, students will be placed in long-term care settings. Under the guidance of an RCW preceptor, students will focus on consolidating program skills while providing person-centred care. Students will progress from active participation to independent practice by continuing to develop confidence and competence in the following areas: therapeutic communication, professional behavior, personal care interventions, observations, reporting and recording, time management and organization, the promotion and maintenance of a safe work environment, and participation as an inter-disciplinary team member.

Credit Value:4


Course Code:RESC-1000

Foundations of Rcw I

Students explore the role of the resident care worker as a member of the health care team, the healthcare system in Canada, and the concept of culturally responsive care. As well, students are introduced to the holistic concept of health and the strategies required to create and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Credit Value:4


Course Code:RESC-1100

Foundations of Rcw II

This course expands on the concepts and principles of supportive, client-centred care. Students will learn infection control principles, the guidelines surrounding medication assistance, proper adult assessment techniques, and the role of nutrition in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:RESC-1200

Health Issues in the Adult

Students are introduced to the most common acute and chronic conditions that they may encounter in a healthcare setting. By understanding the normal structure and function of the human body, students will develop their foundational knowledge, identify assessment skills related to acute and chronic illnesses, apply their knowledge of treatments, and discuss the importance of reporting and documenting abnormal changes to a client's well-being.

Credit Value:4


Course Code:RESC-1210

Mental Health Care

Students explore common mental health disorders and addictions, cognitive impairments, and intellectual disabilities. Students are introduced to the provision of care to clients with these challenges.

Credit Value:3


Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus background image Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus background image Resident Care Worker - West Prince Campus background image

This program is not a piece of cake - hard work and studying was a necessity to keep up. But the instructor's wealth of knowledge and years of experience in the nursing field made learning so appealing. Holland College has prepared me, built my confidence and has proved that I can handle more than I thought I could. After graduating, I quickly entered the workforce at a government facility. I highly recommend this excellent program to anyone who is looking to work in health care.

Andrea, Class of 2020

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