Activity Assistant certificate program

4-month part-time blended online and in-person

Are you a health care assistant or other professional working with the elderly in care facilities? Do you love working with the elderly and creating happiness in their lives? In the Activity Assistant Certificate program, you develop the knowledge, skills and values you need to plan and implement activities for older adults.

See our Alumni Story about Telma Dos Santo's experience in the Activity Assistant Certificate program!

What does an activity assistant do?

An activity assistant helps to put together activities for older adults. They work on every aspect of the activity:

• assessment
• planning
• implementation
• evaluation
• documentation

Assessment

Activity assistants get to know the group or person they’re working with. They complete and update social histories and make sure they’re aware of the cultural needs of their clients.

Planning

Using the information they’ve gathered, they set goals for the activities, brainstorm ideas for activities and create a program plan. This often involves working with a team or with volunteers.

Implementation

When they run the activity, they are mindful of group dynamics, and they must manage the risks associated with the activity. They are trained in how to manage difficult situations.

Evaluation and documentation

After the activity is complete they evaluation the success of the program and document it.

Activity assistants can work in a variety of settings including:

• independent living
• assisted living
• long-term care
• adult day programs

What will I learn in the Activity Assistant program?

You learn to plan and run activities that promote the well-being of your clients. The program focuses on the five domains of health:

• social
• physical
• emotional
• cognitive
• spiritual

You learn evidence-based best-practices, then you apply what you learned, planning and running activities in the community. It can be a lot of fun.

Is it easy to find work as an activity assistant?

There is a growing demand for activity assistants in BC to meet the needs of an aging population. When you complete this program, you’ll be eligible for many roles in care homes and community including:

• recreation programmer
• activity aide
• activity worker
• program assistant
• recreational aide
• recreational worker
• wellness assistant
• life enrichment worker

Note that some employers, including Island Health, will require that you have a Class 4 Driver's Licence before they will hire you as an Activity Assistant.

What to expect from the program

You get classroom instruction and practicum experience. Topics include:

• framework for the activity assistant role
• activity for well-being
• programming ideas for clients with cognitive impairment

Courses are offered on a part-time basis. Some classes are online, and some are in-person. Theory classes are scheduled on weeknights and Saturdays.

There is one 40-hour practicum and one 90-hour practicum. The practicums are in-person and are scheduled based on the needs of the practicum site. You may need to be available part-time or full-time for your placement. We make an effort to hold practicum in your home community wherever possible.

Theory courses are held online on Thursday evenings and in-person at the Nanaimo campus on Saturdays. You must have access to a computer with a working camera, audio and reliable internet service to complete this program.

The first 40-hour practicum runs from the eighth week of the program for 4 weeks. The second 90-hour practicum is held from the twelfth week of the program for four weeks and may require full-time attendance. Please ensure that you are available to attend the practicums in these time frames.

Program details

To learn more about this program, including admission requirements, fees, deadlines and course details, see the Activity Assistant calendar page.

Important Program Dates*

Schedule is subject to revision.

*Dates are subject to change

**Applications must be submitted with all required documentation.

If you’re a member of the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) you may be eligible for funding toward the cost of tuition through the FBA Education Fund.