Health & Human Services Courses

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Certificate Programs

Professional Development & Training in the Faculty of Health & Human Services offers short-term programs that are designed to prepare you for employment immediately upon graduation. 

• Activity Assistant
• Animal Care Aide
• Community Mental Health Worker
• Hospital Unit Coordinator
• Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
• Medical Office Assistant
• NEW - Psychedelic-assisted Therapy

Courses & Workshops

PD&T courses can advance your career as a healthcare and human services professional. Find the complete list of courses that are open for Registration.

Important information like registration and refund policy can be found on the Health & Human Services PD&T Courses & Workshops Information page.

Courses we offer

• Human Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nurses
• Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology
• Standard First Aid with CPR Level "C" Certificate
• Interpersonal Skills for Health Care Workers
• Counselling Skills - Level 1
• Counselling Skills - Level 2
• Nursing Foot Care
• Early Childhood Education
• Medical Reprocessing: Sterilization Basics (not currently being offered)
• Wound Care for Nurses (not currently being offered)

Essential Prerequisite Courses

Human Anatomy & Physiology For Practical Nurses

An overview of the structure and function of the human body, including various health promotion strategies supporting optimal function. Topics include the disease transmission process and medical terminology relevant to normal human anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: None.

Note: Textbook required: Human Body in Health and Disease

Medical Terminology and Anatomy & Physiology

Learn medical words, identifying suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms related to body systems. Prepares students to write the Island Health Medical Terminology exam. Meets prerequisite for Hospital Unit Coordinator, Medical Device Reprocessing Technician, and Medical Office Assistant Certificate programs. Statement of Course Completion awarded on successful completion. Prerequisite: None.

Note: Textbook required: The Language of Medicine

Standard First Aid with CPR Level "C" Certificate

Course code and section number: QSTF 001 I22N01

Delivery: Online self-paced component from July 5-8, 2022; Zoom session July 9, 2022, 9am-1pm; as well as an in-class session at Nanaimo campus: Saturday, July 10, 2022, 9am-12 noon.
Cost: $179.00 + GST

Interpersonal Skills For Health Care Workers

Your success in a high volume, challenging workplace depends on your ability to effectively communicate. Gain a better understanding of your personal style and your impact on others. Discover how to minimize conflict and foster teamwork through clear communication and appreciation for other styles. Through small group discussions, paired activities and reflection, you will identify ways to improve your interpersonal communication skills that are so critical for a demanding workplace. Note: This course is a prerequisite for the Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate Program.

Course Code and Section: HHIP 001 F22W70 (Offered Online)
Instructor:  TBA
3 Sessions: Saturdays, November 19 - December 3, 2022; 9:30 am - 5 pm

Cost:  $410 + GST

Non-violent Crisis Intervention Courses

PD&T is not currently offering the Non-violent Crisis Intervention course.

Counselling Skills

Counselling Skills – Level I

This program is open to anyone interested in learning basic skills that form the foundation of helping relationships. Emphasizes development and practice of helping skills such as: attending; paraphrasing; reflecting; clarifying; questioning; and summarizing. Participants engage in experiential learning exercises and role plays. Combined with Counselling Skills - Level II, it is a pre-requisite for the NFLA Volunteer Counselling Training Program, and is recognized for entry into various other volunteer/lay counsellor training programs on Vancouver Island.  Note: You must attend the first six hours in order to continue in the class.

Emphasizes skill practice, feedback, and self-evaluation. Non-credit Statement of Course Completion awarded on completion of Levels I and II. Supplies required. This is the second prerequisite to the NFLA Volunteer Counselling Training Program. Note: You must attend the first six hours in order to continue in the class. Prerequisite: Counselling Skills - Level I (HHCO 010) or permission.

Medical Reprocessing: Sterilization Basics

Successful sterilization of medical devices involves an entire process of cleaning, packaging, sterilizing and storing reusable instruments between patients. This introductory course includes: Microbiology; Infection Control; Standards and Best Practices; sterilization Theory; Disinfection; Safe storage and handling of sterile supplies; and Packaging medical devices based on current industry best practices.

For Nurses

Nursing Foot Care

Designed for nurses responsible for foot care in facility and community settings. Provides theoretical and practical instruction in non-invasive foot care, emphasizing the healthy foot. The course also focuses on specific conditions and foot care needs. Topics include use of equipment, terminology, infection control, holistic approach to foot care, overview of foot care within the scope of nursing practice, and an introduction to private practice foot care. Prerequisite: Open to Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses.

6 Sessions:  Saturday and Sunday, May 7-29, 2022; 9 am - 5pm (no class May 21 & 22)

Cost:  $925

Wound Care For Nurses

Early Childhood Education and Care

These credit offerings are open to all. The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development recognizes these courses as meeting the training requirement for those who wish to obtain an Early Childhood Educator Assistant License to Practice.

Summer 2022

For ECEC courses, current VIU students can Apply Online through My Student Record.

New Students will need to apply to VIU.

Fall 2022

For ECEC courses, current VIU students can Apply Online through "My Student Record".

New Students will need to apply to VIU.

Application Information

New Students

New students must apply to VIU for PD&T Certificate Programs and ECEC courses. Upon notification of acceptance to VIU, you will receive information regarding the registration procedure.

Current Students

Current students can register directly using the online registration system or contact Registration at 250.740.6400 or toll free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext: 6400

Supplemental Application Forms

• Immunization Requirements for Health Care Programs immunization requirements 
• Criminal Record Check:  A Consent Form will be sent to you. Do not mail the Criminal Record Check to the Ministry yourself.  Present the completed form to the cashiers in Building 200.  Pay the processing fee.  The cashier will stamp the form and direct you to Registration, where you will present the form along with two pieces of government-issued ID.  The new driver's license / heath card combination is accepted as two pieces of ID. The registration office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (250.740.6400).   VIU will contact you if any further action needs to be taken prior to starting your program.
• HSPnet Student Consent form

Information Sessions

PD&T hosts information sessions for our Certificate Programs. Join us and meet PD&T staff and instructors.  Learn more about our programs, courses, instructor team, practicums, potential career opportunities, and application procedures.  To see when an online information session is being held, please click on the program name at the top of this page and scroll down to the information session section. Sessions will be held on zoom for the time being.  If you missed an information session, please feel free to contact us with your questions, or review the recorded session.   

Information Sessions are free, but please register in advance. 

More information and link to Registration.