Introduction
Welcome to the Personal Care Assistant open textbook. This open educational resource (OER) was written for individuals who are providing personal care to clients or loved ones in a long-term care centre or home-care setting. This resource is divided into six separate “books” that correspond to the six micro-credential courses in the Personal Care Assistant programs that are offered by Sault College or Cambrian College.
Topical Overview
This resource is divided into six separate “books” that correspond to the six micro-credential courses in the Personal Care Assistant program:
- Infection Control
- Caring Essentials
- Observation and Problem Solving
- Supporting Mobility
- Assisting with Personal Grooming and Hygiene
- Assisting with Meals
Each book is subdivided into 4-5 chapters, with videos, case studies and interactive self-checks provided to facilitate your learning.
Additional Learning
This OER textbook was developed as the required resource for the Personal Care Assistant micro-credentials offered by Cambrian College and Sault College. Students who successfully complete this online course will earn a certificate of completion. Please visit the PCAS program web page at Cambrian, or training.saultcollege.ca for more information or to register.
Author Biography
Jacquelyn McKnight has been a nurse since 1981. Her experience in the field includes Neurosurgery Critical Care, Acute Care, Long-Term Care, Public Health, Clinic Procedures Nurse, Dementia Care Specialist, Palliative Care Team, Head Injury Specialty Team, Clinical Instructor, and Clinical Supervisor for Home Health. She has been an instructor for Sault College since 2009 in the field of Health Care.
Editing and Instructional Design
Editorial and instructional design services were led and completed by Amanda Baker Robinson. Amanda works as an instructional designer for colleges across Ontario, including Sault College, Cambrian College, Humber College, and Canadore College.
Editorial, instructional design, curriculum, and academic support were provided by Sarah Wendorf, Senior Instructional Designer, Cambrian College; Mel Young, Educational Developer, Cambrian College; and Kyle Mackie, Instructional Designer/Technologist and Independent Consultant.
Acknowledgements
This open textbook was developed jointly by Cambrian College and Sault College as a resource for the Personal Care Assistant micro-credentials, which are offered by both schools.
For any questions or comments regarding this OER, or to report an error, please contact the Cambrian College Teaching & Learning Innovation Hub at teaching@cambriancollege.ca.
