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Throughout this course, students will apply the concepts related to assisting with personal care skills with a holistic and caring approach.  Also, students will develop beginning competencies in these skills:

1.        Principles and rationale for personal care

                •caring

                •needs based care

                •family, and diversity

                •promotion of independence

2.        Safe practice in relation to care-giving based upon the following principles

                •body mechanics

                •medical asepsis

                •safety

                •dignity, respect and comfort

                •responsibility and accountability

3.         Problem-solving

                •need based care

                •organization of care

                •reporting, recording actions and results of care

                •evaluating for effectiveness of care

                •adapting to “crisis” situations

4.         Responsible and Accountable behaviour

                •legal and ethical guidelines

                •parameters of roles as a Health Care Support Worker

                •abiding by designated procedures in performance of Section 2 skills

                •recognizing the legal implications involved in performance of Section 2 skills

                •values and beliefs, standards of practice, and cultural norms respected

                •codes of ethics

5.        Personal care activities promoting safety and comfort

                •bathing

                •skin care

                •oral care

                •perineal care

                •dressing and grooming

                •bed-making

                •safety devices in the home and in care facilities

6.        Personal care activities promoting movement and ambulation

   •positioning in bed, chair or wheelchair

                •range of motion exercises (active)

                •walk, sit and stand

                •correct lifting and transfer techniques

                •transporting by wheelchair and stretcher

                •safety in transportation in cars/taxis

7.        Personal care activities promoting nutrition in continuing care facilities

                •preparing and serving foods

                •clean-up, safe handling, and food storage

                •safe techniques when assisting with eating

                •maintaining dietary and/or fluid intake

8.        Assessment skills

                •monitoring temperature, pulse and respiration

                •measuring and recording height and weight

                •measuring and recording intake and output

9.         Personal care skills promoting elimination

                •toileting

                •administering suppositories, enemas**²

                •care of established ostomies

                •catheter care

                •emptying urinary drainage bags

                •application of external catheter

                •bowel care **²

                •change and clean a catheter drainage bag **²

                •assist with pre-measured rectal medication **²

10.       Medications

                •recognizing and reporting adverse effects of common drugs

                •applying OTC medicated ointments

                •assisting with pre-measured oral medication **²

                •applying prescription or medicated soaps and ointments **²

                •assisting with ventilatory equipment **²

                •assisting with pre-set oxygen equipment

**² indicates Section 2 skills