RPL Success in NS for Continuing Care Assistants

Transcription

1 RPL Success in NS for Continuing Care Assistants CAPLA Conference, Joint Presentation by: Prior Learning Centre & CCA Program Advisory Committee 2010

2 Background In Nova Scotia prior to 2000 there were 3 provincially recognized courses for direct care/support service providers in continuing care Home Support Worker (HSW) Personal Care Worker (PCW) Home Health Provider (HHP) Objectives for merger of the 3 courses: Consistent set of competencies Increased level of care provided

3 Education Entry to Practice Policy Persons hired in the CCA role for the first time in either nursing homes/homes for the aged or home care agencies providing services to Department of Health clients must have CCA designation Direct care and support providers with Nova Scotia recognized HSWs, PCWs or HHPs may continue to be employed in their respective/certified field Previously employed direct care and support providers without formally recognized education may continue to be employed in their respective field

4 Why RPL? Address Education Entry to Practice Policy, increase skills, morale, avenue to formally recognize learning of current workforce Consistent competencies No one size fits all ; needed different pathways to accommodate the varied backgrounds cy.pdf

5 RPL Method: How? There are multiple pathways to CCA Certification Recognition processes were developed over time in response to industry

6 RPL Methods Available Equivalency Equivalency PLAR PLAR Course Course Recognition Recognition

7 Equivalency Designed for Nova Scotia provincially recognized PCWs, HSWs and HHPs Learning path designed based on the course, not the person Addressed the majority of current employees

8 Equivalency Statistics 1203 graduates as of Oct 26, in process of gaining CCA

9 PLAR For direct care and support providers without provincial recognition Learning path based on individual learning Individual works with advisor/assessor to: Phase I (6 months to complete) Develop evidence of CCA competencies Have learning assessed Define learning path Phase II (2 years to complete) Complete learning path Write CCA provincial exam

10 PLAR Statistics Currently 87 graduates as of Oct 26, 2010 Phase I 197 Phase II 60

11 PLAR Statistics PLAR Attrition Rates

12 Course Recognition Needed a way to recognize formally educated health care providers from other education deliveries within NS, Nationally and Internationally Learning path based on the curriculum not the person Minimum standards of the curriculum being assessed Contracted with an RN to help establish the process and then conduct the reviews Note: in package there is a current chart of all learn curriculums reviewed and a sample learning path

13 Course Recognition Statistics Have 6 graduates as of Oct 26, more in process

14 Lessons Learned Partnerships Filling Learning Gaps Cost for PLAR Provincial Coordination RPL Navigators CCA Database

15 And Finally it challenges me everyday. It focuses me to use all of myself: emotionally, physically and intellectually. It has taught me compassion, humanity and life. Working in continuing care has been the scariest, most rewarding, fun thing I have ever done. I intend to hold on and see where it takes me. So far, it has been an amazing adventure. -Sarah, CCA

16 Contact Information Cailleagh Sharples, CCA Certification Coordinator Teresa Francis, Director of New Program Development