Course Overview:

This course introduces the non-clinical role of social service workers in supporting clients who use medications in community, mental health, and disability settings. Students learn the general purposes of commonly encountered medications, key safety considerations, and ethical responsibilities such as confidentiality, consent, cultural safety, and respect for regulated health professionals’ roles. Emphasis is placed on safe, supportive practices, including observing, documenting, prompting, and reporting concerns, while avoiding all clinical or administrative functions. Learners explore how colonization and systemic barriers shape client experiences with healthcare and develop culturally grounded, trauma-informed approaches to medication-related support. Through case studies, simulations, and collaboration with community partners, students gain the competence to follow agency protocols, recognize when to escalate concerns, and contribute to client well-being within the legal scope of social service work in British Columbia

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • Applicants must submit a written statement outlining their motivation, relevant experience, and career goals. An admissions interview may also be required to assess communication skills, professional awareness, and readiness for both academic study and practicum learning.
  • Because the program includes placements with vulnerable populations, applicants must provide a clear Criminal Record Check. Some sites may also require proof of immunizations, first aid certification, or other documentation to ensure safety and readiness for practicum participation.
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • To meet BC Health Care Assistant English Competency Standards, students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS: overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 6 in Speaking/Listening, and not below 5.5 in Reading/Writing.
      • CAEL: overall score of 60, with no section below 50.
      • TOEFL iBT: minimum 76 overall, with no sub-scores lower than 20 (Speaking/Listening) and 18 (Reading/Writing), or
      • Another accredited equivalent score.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
    • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
    • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
      • Reading: 235
      • Writing: 235
      • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Identify and describe commonly used medications in social service settings and understand their general purpose and potential side effects only as relevant to recognizing when support workers must report concerns to clinical staff.
  • Demonstrate safe, non-clinical medication-support practices in simulations, such as prompting, observing, documenting, and following agency guidelines, without administering, handling, or advising on medications, in accordance with BC laws and employer policies.
  • Recognize and discuss ethical considerations in medication-related situations, including consent, confidentiality, boundaries, cultural safety, and respecting the roles of regulated health professionals.
  • Support clients by reinforcing information given by clinical professionals, helping them navigate instructions safely, and encouraging communication with regulated practitioners, without giving medical advice or modifying any care directions.
  • Contribute to agency safety procedures by following established reporting protocols, documenting observations accurately, and identifying risks to be escalated to supervisors or regulated health staff.

Course Content & Topics:

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)