Education Services

Home Care Skill Enhancement Labs

The Skills Enhancement Lab is provided 6 times a year (3 in the north and 3 in the south). The months that they are provided are October, November, February, March, May and June. Home Care Attendant Skills Enhancement booklet accompanies the training and provides information related to safe provision of care. This booklet covers topics ranging from home safety to safe lifts and transfers. The labs have been developed to provide the opportunity for Home Care attendants the ability to review the skills covered in the booklet. Staff are expected to read the curriculum (booklet) and complete the pre-test prior to attending the lab. HCA’s will practice their skills and will be required to demonstrate these skills to the lab instructor. The instructor will complete a Skill Assessment Form which will be forwarded to the appropriate Resource Coordinator for follow-up and placement in the HCA’s personnel file. Staff evaluation forms of the lab and monthly reports will also be completed at the conclusion of the lab and forwarded to the Managers of the Home Care Program.

All staff are required to attend the lab every three years as a regular update to these skills. Home Care Attendants may also attend the lab if they feel they require a review of skills or at the request of the Resource Coordinator.

The curriculum for the Skills Lab is reviewed annually in August or as deemed necessary by the Managers of the Home Care Program.