Excel Academy

2014 Calendar

Programs and Courses

2

“Enriching Lives by Enabling Potential”

10766 97 St

Edmonton, Alberta

T5H 4R2

Tel. 780-441-7999

Fax. 780-421-7563

www.excelacademy.ca

3

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Excel Academy ............................................................................................................................................................4

Community Support Worker Program .........................................................................................................................................................5

Community Support Worker PLAR Program ................................................................................................................................................6

Health Care Aide Program ..........................................................................................................................................................................7

Health Care Aide PLAR Program .................................................................................................................................................................8

Professional Development Courses ............................................................................................................................................................9

Certificate Programs Calendar .................................................................................................................................................................15

Pricing of Certificate Programs and Professional Development Courses .............................................................................................16

Abuse Awareness, Protocols & Prevention ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 CPI (Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention) ................................................................................................................................................ 7 CPR Recertification ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Professional Documentation ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 First Aid and CPR (Level C) ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Food Safe Level 1 & 2- Capital Health Authority ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Harm Reduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Medication Administration Recertification .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14

4

Introduction to the Excel Academy

The Excel Academy is a division of the Excel Society. In 2014, the Excel Society

celebrates 50 years of operation as a non-profit society dedicated to enabling

people to develop their full potential through employment and community living.

The Excel Academy is a Private Vocational School licensed under the Private

Vocational Schools Act by Alberta Advanced Education. It is a member of the

Alberta Association of Career Colleges.

The Academy was founded to respond to the growing need for qualified and

professional staff required to support persons with physical, developmental and

mental disabilities.

The Excel Academy offers the Community Support Worker (CSW) Certificate, the

Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum (HCA) Certificate, as well as the Prior

Learning Assessment and Recognition (HCA-PLAR) Certificate programs. We also

have an extensive professional development and training calendar that can be

individualized to company needs.

All programs and courses are subject to change and availability.

5

Summary

Community Support Workers take an active role supporting

individuals to have meaningful and active lives that

contribute to our community. Community disability service

practitioners work with people who have intellectual,

developmental, emotional or physical disabilities, as well as

people with mental health issues or addictions. They may

specialize in working with people in a particular age group

or with people who have a specific type of disability. The

current job market provides opportunities in a variety of

settings and schedules for the certified employee. Excel

Society is one of many employers looking for qualified

individuals who want a career that makes a difference.

Positions are available in residential homes, day programs,

assisted living sites, and family managed care.

Excel Academy’s seventeen week program includes

courses on the Role of the CSW, physical and

developmental disabilities, Positive Behavioural Supports,

Personal Care skills training, Professionalism & Boundaries,

First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Recreation & Leisure, Employment,

Person Centered Planning, Communication, and

Community Connection. Students will also complete two

practicums.

Curriculum Overview

Some of the topics covered include: 1. Intro to the Community Support Worker Role

2. Values

3. Relationships and Sexuality

4. Ethics of Touch

5. Community Connection

6. Person Centered/Directed Approaches, Care and

Planning

7. Community Mapping and Interest Mapping

8. Policies, Procedures and Legislation

9. Trusteeship and Guardianship

10. Challenging Behaviours and Positive Supports

11. Understanding Disabilities, including: Autism, Cerebral

Palsy, Epilepsy, Brain Injury, Diabetes, FASD/FAE,

Dementia, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Down

Syndrome

12. Communication Modalities

13. History of Service

14. Working with Families

15. Personal & Workplace Safety: First Aid/ CPR, Non-violent

Crisis Prevention & Intervention©, WHMIS, Infection

Prevention & Control, Food Safety

Requirements

For information on requirements please visit

excelacademy.ca or call 780-441-7999.

Community Support

Worker Program

6

Community Support

Worker PLAR Program

Summary

The Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (CSW-PLAR)

Program

A Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition process has been

developed for the Community Support Worker (CSW)

Program for

- individuals who are currently working as a support

worker in the disability services field;

- have completed Foundations (or similar) training, or;

- individuals who have relevant education (a related

post-secondary program certificate, diploma, or

degree) and sufficient experience (600 or more hours

in the past 2 years) as a support worker in the human

services field;

The CSW-PLAR process is useful for individuals who have the

required disability services background, because it takes a

shorter period of time and is a lower cost than the full time

CSW certification program.

The CSW-PLAR has a criteria process that a community

support worker must meet which assesses their skills,

attitudes, experiences, and understanding of their field. Visit

www.excelacademy.ca or call 780-441-7996 for more

information.

Assessment Process

Candidates meet with the Community Support

Worker Instructor who will assess their current skills,

attitudes and experience in the field, along with

evaluating previous education. From there, a

customized learning path is created for the learner.

Students who complete one of the Excel Academy’s

Certificate programs (HCA, CSW) can take the PLAR

Exam for the other certificate program at NO COST!*

*This offer is available to all students who have completed either

the CSW or HCA full certificate programs on or after 2008.

Students must present their certificates for this offer. Not available

to students who completed the PLAR program. Students must still

meet the entrance requirements for the PLAR program they are

applying for, and are responsible for payment of any additional

modules, labs, textbooks and other fees not covered by the PLAR

exam.

7

Health Care Aide Program Curriculum Overview

Summary

The Government of Alberta Health Care Aide (HCA)

Provincial Curriculum Certificate is a caregiver

program developed by Alberta Health and Wellness

to ensure there is a standardized training curriculum

for all front line health care workers.

The full certificate program consists of 315 hours of

classroom and laboratory instruction with testing. In

addition to that training there is a mandatory clinical

practicum component of 240 hours.

The Excel Academy is licensed to deliver the HCA

provincial curriculum, and offers the latest curriculum

standards mandated by Alberta Health and

Wellness.

Upon successful completion of the program, the

HCA will be prepared to work in environments such

as: continuing care, home care, group homes,

assisted or supportive living, day programs,

specialized care centers, acute care hospitals, and

private care.

Admission Requirements

For information on requirements please visit

excelacademy.ca or call 780-441-7999.

Modules included:

Role of the Health Care Aid

Legislation

Functioning Effectively as a Team Member

Environmental Safety

Client Safety

Self Care and Safety

Person to Person Communication

Communication Impairments and Related Strategies

Dealing with Conflicts

Documentation

Body Systems and Function

Human Growth and Development

Healthy Aging and Independence

Chronic Conditions

Client Grooming and Personal Hygiene

Bathing the Client

Assisting with Elimination

Bed Making

Assisting with Client Mobility

Positioning, Transfers and Lifts

Assisting at Mealtime

Range of Motion

Assisting with Wound Care

Assisting with Nasogastric, Gastrostomy Care & Tube

Feeds

Assisting with Urinary Catheters and Drainage Systems

Assisting with Ostomy Care

Measuring Vital Signs, Height, Weight and Pain

Assisting with Specimen Collection

Assisting with Respiratory Care and Oral Suctioning

Assisting with Medication Delivery

Assisting with the Care of Infants

Assisting with the Care of a Child

Assisting Clients with the Diagnosis of Dementia

Caring for Clients with Physical Disabilities and

Developmental Delays

End of Life Care

Meeting Care Needs at the Time of Death

8

Assessment Process

The PLAR Assessment Exam consists of a written component,

which tests the existing knowledge of the HCA PLAR applicant;

and a hands-on laboratory component that assesses the

applicant's knowledge and demonstration of hands-on HCA

skills and previous training experience.

In the case that an applicant scores low on the assessment,

they must be subject to taking additional supplementary

courses, or the full time health care aide program, to achieve

their final certification.

Mandatory Courses

Students are required to complete six core modules to

achieve their certification:

- Role of the Health Care Aid

- Legislation

- Self Care and Safety

- Documentation

- Positioning, Transfers and Lifts

- Assisting Clients with the Diagnosis of Dementia

These modules are included in the PLAR Program Tuition

Overview

A Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition

process has been developed for the Health

Care Aide (HCA-PLAR) Program for

- individuals who are nursing

attendants,

- personal care workers, or;

- individuals who have relevant

education (a related post-

secondary program certificate,

diploma, or degree) and sufficient

experience (600 or more hours in the

past 2 years) as a caregiver in the

human services field;

The PLAR process is useful for individuals

who have the required health care

background, because it takes a shorter

period of time and is a lower cost than the

full time HCA certification program.

The PLAR has a criteria process that a

health care worker must meet which

assesses their skills, attitudes, experiences,

and understanding of their field. Visit

www.excelacademy.ca or call 780-441-

7995 for more information.

Health Care Aide PLAR Program

9

Highlights:

learn detailed identification, both

physical and behavioural

indicators, of abuse

see outline of employee’s legal,

ethical and moral responsibilities to

report witnessed or suspected

abuse

identify strategies to ensure

immediate safety, care and well

being of individuals who may have

experienced abuse

learn team debriefing strategies

learn steps required for proper and

effective documentation of

allegations of abuse

learn follow up procedures and

processes e.g. who to contact,

when, actions to be followed

through with, etc.

identify community resources

accessible for supporting client

and staff

CPI© (Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and

Intervention)*

Non-violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention

is a nationally recognized program. It is based

on a safe, non-harmful behavior

management system designed to help

support workers provide the best possible

care and welfare of assaultive, disruptive or

out of control clients even during the most

violent moments.

Abuse Awareness, Protocols & Prevention

This half-day support worker course is

dedicated to creating a zero

tolerance agency culture with

respect to abuse issues. The

comprehensive training reviews both

the mandatory abuse reporting in

Provincial Legislation – “Protection of

Persons In Care Act” as well as the

“Abuse Prevention and Response

Protocols” presented by the

Provincial Board, Persons with

Developmental Disabilities. Practical

participation involving exercises, case

scenarios and role playing will

provide realistic situations that require

participants to problem solve a

variety of abuse issue situations

Highlights:

learn definitions and descriptions of

abuse as per the P.D.D. “Abuse

Prevention and Response Protocols”

learn expanded definitions and

descriptions of abuse encompassed in

Alberta Legislation – “Protection of

Persons in Care Act”

see outlines of legal aspects of abuse

reporting

Professional Development Courses Highlights:

learn what can initiate violent

behaviours

learn techniques to decelerate

rising aggressive behaviours

learn techniques to protect

oneself from aggressive clients

in a non violent way

*This course is only available to employees of the

Excel Society and CSW Certificate students.

CPI© Recertification*

This one day course refreshes

participants on the components of the

detailed two day course. Participants

are required to recertify every two

years.

Highlights:

learn what can initiate violent

behaviours

learn techniques to decelerate

rising aggressive behaviours

learn techniques to protect

oneself from aggressive clients

in a non violent way

*This course is only available to employees of

the Excel Society and CSW Certificate

students.

10

CPR Level C Recertification

This four hour course will refresh participants in their

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills.

Highlights:

learn how to activate emergency medical services

provide assistance to an adult , child and infant whose

heart has stopped, who is not breathing, or who is

choking

review life choices that can help reduce a heart attack

or stroke

Cost: $75.00

First Aid and CPR (Level C)

In this two day course participants will receive certified

instruction in a nationally standardized First Aid program.

Highlights:

learn how to recognize and provide intervention for life

threatening emergencies until medical aid arrives

learn how to administer first aid for head and spinal

injuries, fractures of the upper and lower limbs

learn how to give artificial respiration

learn how to help someone who is choking

learn how to deal with shock, unconsciousness, severe

bleeding and a variety of other injuries

provide resuscitation for adults, children and infants

through one and two person CPR

Cost: $130.00

Professional Documentation

One of the most sought after characteristics for any support

worker is their ability to document the excellent support they

provide. Documentation, the ability to professionally prove in a

durable format the excellent support provided, is the

foundation of all support services. This full day training session

takes basic recording of information to the level of "Professional

Documentation" by identifying value-based, thoughtfully

developed, policy specific, efficient and accurate

documentation processes.

Highlights:

identify agency risk management consideration with

respect to documentation processes

define "professionalism" in documentation through:

o empathic communication, altruism, honor and

integrity, respect, responsibility and

accountability, excellence and best practices,

leadership

plan and organize for documentation

identify agency specific documentation processes that

include:

o staff communication logs, annual funding

renewal reports, client care planning, month

end summaries, client daily progress notes, off

site documentation processes, client financial

records, release of confidentiality, strength and

support requirements, unusual incident reporting

learn standards and principles for effective

documentation

Cost: $50.00

11

Food Safe Level 1 & 2- Capital Health Authority

‘Food Safe Level 1 & 2’ is an essential, and for many licensed

support services mandatory, two to three day provincially

certified training program offered through the Capital Health

Authority.

Highlights:

Explaining food borne illnesses

Introducing personal hygiene and health protection

Serving and dispensing food

Protection and preparation of food

Receiving and storing food safely

Proper washing methods

Food poisoning protection

Pest control

Managing sanitary practices

*This course is only available to employees of the Excel Society.

Intro to Responding to Behaviours of Concern

This introductory-level staff training enables front-line

staff members to better handle both unanticipated

and anticipated behaviours of concern. Upon

completion of this training, participants will know the

appropriate response steps they need to follow given a

sudden unexpected behavior or situation. If a situation

and/or behavior of concern has happened before,

then participants are also being taught the processes

and expectations involved with the development of a

"planned procedure". These procedures are developed

according to legal consent and thorough proactive

planning, and provide staff guidance to identify

strategies to intervene appropriately.

Highlights:

Understanding how proactive positive

approaches can reduce the likelihood of

behaviors of concern.

Review the tools and resources available to

staff when dealing with a crisis situation.

Cost: $50.00

Positions, Transfers, and Lifts

Lifting and transferring are among the most frequent

personal care activities support workers are responsible for

when supporting individuals with disabilities or the elderly.

This full day course is part of the Government of Alberta

Health Care Aide Provincial Curriculum, and will provide

participants with the skills to lift his/her clients properly.

Cost: $104.00

Supportive Workplace & Diversity*

This course explores the need for support workers to recognize

the diversity of their coworkers’ cultures, backgrounds and

personal histories.

Highlights:

learn to respect and appreciate the diversity of their

coworkers

learn the importance of conducting themselves in their

work environment in a respectful, professional way

without discrimination

*This course is only available to employees of the Excel Society.

12

Medication Administration

This full day course is designed to enhance the medication

administration skills of Paraprofessionals within any human

service organization. Learn specific, regulated, safe and

appropriate skills for all aspects of medication

administration.

Highlights:

learn the 12 general rules of medication

administration delivery

identify medication orders

explore the 7 rights of medication delivery

be introduced to documentation procedures

learn medication administration procedures (both

general practice guidelines and the specific

procedures) related to: P.R.N. Medications, Spacer

Devices, Skin Medications, Pouch Pack vs. Blister

Packs, Oral Liquids, Ear Drops, Assorted

Inhalers/Disks, Nebulizers, Suppositories/Enemas, Oral

Solids, Eye Drops/Ointments, Nose Drops/Nasal

Sprays

learn to manage medication delivery

recognize medication administration challenges

learn about medication appointments, new

medication processes, discontinued medication

processes, L.O.A. procedures, month end processes,

medication administration errors and policies and

procedures

discuss practical case scenarios and will role play

situations that require participants to problem solve

and respond immediately to situations, document

them and provide follow up actions.

Cost: $75.00

Serving it Safe

This 3 hour course, offered by Alberta Health

Services, covers a variety of topics surrounding food

safety.

A certificate is issued by Alberta Health Services to

successful individuals who achieve a passing mark

on a written exam.

Topics covered include:

bacteria,

cleaning,

handwashing,

receiving,

temperature,

service, and

cooling

Cost: $30.00

WHMIS

This two hour course is a hands-on approach to the

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

that details information regarding the hazards of

materials produced, sold in, imported and used in

workplaces.

learn how to read material safety data

sheets

learn how to reduce injuries, illnesses and

death in the workplace by understanding

identified hazards learn hazard symbols

learn hazard symbols

Cost: $50.00

13

Positive Behavioral Supports - Level 1

This 2 day course is the follow-up training session

to “Introduction to Responding to Behaviors of

Concern”. Both of these training sessions are

mandatory employee courses for all staff hired

with Excel Society and they were developed in

response to the practice of requiring Planned

Procedures. “Positive Behavioral Supports –

Level 1″ introduces participants to the strategy

of responding to challenging behavior through

a comprehensive approach. It builds on prior

training of functional assessments by taking a

more thorough and practice-based review of

baselines – the starting point of any well-written

behavior management plan. Many of the

vague and less-understood concepts, which

are a part of any well-written Planned

Procedure, are studied more in depth

throughout this course. Finally, participants will

get an overview introduction to and practice

with various forms of data collection – a

respected skill valued across professional

services.

Highlights:

learn how behavior is the message, and

how it communicates vital information

regarding the person

learn what positive behavior supports

are and how these concepts can be

developed into support plans

learn strategies that can be used to

help individuals who are exhibiting

challenging behaviors achieve person

centered lifestyles that are in sync with

their life choices

Cost: $115.00

Supportive Pathways

This 2 day course, developed by Carewest, has been

chosen as the provincial curriculum for dementia care

training, and is one of the mandatory courses required

for anybody who is currently studying to earn their

Health Care Aide (HCA) competency, or who wants to

work at a site that supports persons with diagnosis of

dementia.

Through the use of videos, lectures, classroom

discussion, and interactive group work Supportive

Pathways provides staff with a foundation of skills,

knowledge, and attributes to continually support a

person with dementia. Throughout the course there is

an emphasis on recognizing the person behind the

disease, that all behaviour has meaning, and the

importance of focusing on the ‘now’ for care

strategies. The foundation of the course is the Whole

Person Supportive Pathways Model of Care,

highlighting a social model of care.

For more information: http://www.carewest.ca/what-

we-do/carewest-supportive-pathways-education-

program-concept-of-care

Highlights:

Seven Modules of Learning include:

Personal & Organizational Beliefs and Value

Normal Aging & Disease Process in Dementia

Individualized & Family Care

Effective Communication

Responding to Altered Behaviour

Supporting Quality of Life

Making Life Meaningful

Cost: $130.00

14

Infection Prevention & Control

This three hour certificate course introduces learners to

the basic concepts of communicable disease and the

role of the health care provider in infection prevention

and control.

Highlights:

Learn how to identify high risk areas and scenarios

Participate in activities which practice standard

accepted universal precautions (proper glove and

gown use, barrier devices, hand washing and bed

making procedures and sterilization and cleaning

techniques

Learn key terminology associated with Infection

Prevention & Control

Introduction to Micro-Organisms and Blood-Borne

Pathogens

The Chain of Infection

Infection Prevention and Control Practices (as outlined

by Alberta Health Services)

Personal Protective Equipment

Common Infectious Diseases in the Health Care Setting

Outbreak Procedures Home Management and

Infection Prevention and Control

Cost: $30.00

15

Certificate Program Dates for 2014

Health Care Aide:

Full-time day program runs Tuesday to Friday, 8:30

a.m. – 2:30 p.m.*

Program dates: January 27 – June 13, 2014

May 20 – October 3, 2014

September 8 – February 6, 2015**

Full-time evening program runs Monday to Friday,

4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.*

Program dates: January 13 – May 30, 2014

May 5 – September 19, 2014

August 25 – January 23, 2015**

Part-time program runs every Tuesday and Thursday

from 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and alternating Saturdays

from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.*

Program dates: January 14 – September 12, 2014

Community Support Worker:

Full-time day program runs Monday to Friday, 8:30

a.m. – 2:30 p.m.*

Program dates: January 27 – May 30, 2014

June 2 – October 3, 2014

Sept. 29 – February 13, 2015*

*All practicums run for 8 hrs per day, times may vary

depending on the site and program. Check with the

Instructor for more information.

**Fall programs run two weeks longer as there are no

practicums during the two weeks surrounding Christmas

and New Year’s.

Student financing is available for all certificate

programs. Inquire for more information and

assistance with applying.

16

Pricing – Professional Development Courses

Abuse Awareness & Prevention $30

Positioning, Transfers & Lifts $104

CPR Level C Recertification $75

Professional Documentation $50

First Aid with CPR Level C $130

Serving it Safe $30

Intro to Responding to Behaviors $50

Medication Administration $75

Positive Behavioral Supports Level 1 $115

Supportive Pathways $130

Infection Prevention & Control $30

WHMIS $50

Other workshops, courses and conferences will be

made available periodically; check our website for

more details: www.excelacademy.ca

Off-site training also available to organizations. Call

780-441-7993 to discuss available options. Looking to reach new heights? Contact the Excel

Academy to register for one of our certificate

programs that will get you started in a career that makes a difference.

Pricing – HCA Certificate Programs

Health Care Aide Program (HCA):

Registration fee $50

Health Care Aide (HCA) Program Tuition $3450

Books:

Textbook $113

Learner Guide $70

Printed Notes $90

Admin Fee $40.95

Lab Fees (21 labs x $15) $315

Total Tuition & Fees $4128.95

Health Care Aide Prior Learning Assessment &

Recognition (HCA-PLAR):

Registration fee $50

PLAR Exam $650*

Books: Textbook $113

Learner Guide $70

Printed Notes $90

Admin Fee $40.95

Lab Fees $15 each

Modules prices vary; please see PLAR Instructor for

further details

Pricing – CSW Certificate Programs

Community Support Worker Program (CSW):

Registration fee $50

Community Support Worker (CSW)

Program Tuition $2200

Books:

Textbooks $140

Learner Guide $n/a

Printed Notes $n/a

Standard First Aid/CPR C $130

Total Tuition & Fees $2520

Community Support Worker Prior Learning

Assessment & Recognition (CSW-PLAR):

Registration fee $50

PLAR Exam $650*

Books:

Textbook $

Learner Guide $n/a

Printed Notes $n/a

Modules prices vary; please see PLAR Instructor for

further details

Community Support Worker (CSW) Program

The Excel Academy 10766 97 St

Edmonton, Alberta T5H4R2

780-441-7999

www.excelacademy.ca

Twitter: @ExcelAcademy_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Excel.Academy.Edmonton