Department of Health Care Assistant
Experienced instructors teach students the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to work as direct care providers in any level of continuing care, including home support, adult day care, assisted living, complex care and acute care.
Program spotlight
The Health Care Assistant Certificate program trains students for a rewarding career in person-centred care that is also one of B.C.'s most in-demand professions.
Health Career Access Program
Through the Health Career Access Program, the Province of B.C. will pay for your post-secondary education to complete the HCA Certificate. New hires in the program start in a health care support worker position and receive paid training that leads to full qualification as a Health Care Assistant. Please note: you must first apply to the provincial government's program and then await further instructions (do not apply directly to Okanagan College). For questions, email HCAPOC@okanagan.bc.ca
Check out the link below for more information on the Health Career Access Program.
Instructors
Catherine Farrow
Chair - Health Care Assistant
Email: cfarrow@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4396
I have been teaching in the Health Care Assistant Program since 2015, and Program Chair since June 2021. A Registered Nurse by profession, I am registered with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, and am a member of Gerontological Nurses' Association of BC, Canadian Gerontological Nurses' Association, and Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC. My initial nursing education was through Vancouver Community College, and I subsequently obtained a BSN and MSN through UBC Vancouver. I have a varied and extensive healthcare background, am passionate about geriatric care, and am committed to lifelong learning. It is an absolute joy working with students and colleagues in the HCA program.
Credentials:
MSN, Nursing, UBC Vancouver
BSN, Nursing, UBC Vancouver
PIDP, Vancouver Community College
Registered Nurse
Krista Borsheim
Health Care Assistant
Email: kborsheim@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Sunoka Building C09
Campus: Penticton
As a nurse, I have a passion to care for people - and what could be a more fulfilling career than to have the opportunity to teach others how to do the same. I am very proud to be a part of the Health Care Assistant program here at Okanagan College.
Credentials:
BN, Nursing, University of Calgary
Denice Evanishin
Health Care Assistant
Email: devanishin@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Lab Building 309
Campus: Vernon
I graduated as Registered Nurses Assistant (RNA) in 1981, became an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1990 and have loved watching the nursing profession change over the years. The bulk of my career has been in small rural hospitals, community, long term care and in regulation. I am born and raised in B.C., lived in the Okanagan Valley since 1996 and cannot imagine living anywhere else.
Credentials:
LPN, AVC
PIDP, VCC
Sarah Hutton
Health Care Assistant
Email: shutton@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Salmon Arm Building 005A
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-762-5445
Paula Kohlman
Health Care Assistant
Email: pkohlman@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 302
Campus: Kelowna
I am passionate in advocating for the health and wellness of our geriatric population. I have a background in caregiving prior to my RN role, and find my current role very rewarding. I enjoy learning and teaching at Okanagan College.
Credentials:
RN, BSN, UVIC
Michelle Krasniqi
Health Care Assistant
Email: mkrasniqi@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6729
Sue Lovell
Health Care Assistant
Email: slovell@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 302
Campus: Kelowna
Candace Matte
Health Care Assistant
Email: cmatte@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 303
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4378
Credentials:
LPN, Health Studies
Tracy Noble
Health Care Assistant (HCAP)
Email: tnoble@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Salmon Arm Building 171
Campus: Salmon Arm
I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2006. My experience includes working as a Post-Surgical Nurse and Educator at VJH, The Ambulatory Care Clinic in Salmon Arm, and have taught both the LPN and HCA Program here at Okanagan College. Currently, I am working full time in the HCA program. Working as a Healthcare Provider is a rewarding career and provides us with a special opportunity to connect and care for our clients.
Credentials:
BSN, UBC Okanagan
Jody Stone
HCAP
Email: jstone@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Sunoka Building 009
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6420
Tianna Smidt
Health Care Assistant
Email: tsmidt@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 302
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6334
Courses
Courses for the Health Care Assistant program include theoretical and laboratory components in the classroom, as well as supervised practicum in long-term care and community settings.
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