Communicating with compassion

Home Support/Resident Care Attendant graduate Hiruth Mwandermere acknowledges the professionalism and support of instructors such as Patricia Juvik for her success in the workplace.

Patricia Juvik understands that dedicated students learning to provide care for others deserve special attention themselves. "I believe that learning is most effective when it happens in a positive and supportive environment," says Juvik, an instructor in Douglas College's Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HSRCA) Program. "Many students in our program face challenges to come to college and I believe it is essential to provide a welcoming and energizing environment that encourages lifelong learning."

HSRCA graduates work in a variety of settings, from long term care facilities to community agencies to private homes. Drawing on years of experience in the field, Juvik emphasizes the key people skills that care workers need to thrive. "The most important assets graduates need are caring, compassion, competence and flexibility. We prepare them by role modeling these attributes in the classroom and the clinical environment," says Juvik. "The students learn how to communicate caring and compassion whenever they are interacting with seniors.

"The truly important aspect of caring is when it comes from a genuine passion and enjoyment for the work that HSRCA graduates perform. Our students come into our program with a keen desire to care for seniors."

HSRCA graduate Hiruth Mwandermere appreciated Juvik's approach to learning, particularly during a worksite practicum at Eagleridge manor in Port Moody.

"When you are learning in a classroom, where you practice with other students, it isn't really the same as working with a patient who has an actual disability. You can feel nervous in the practicum, wanting to do everything right. Patricia was always there, not to point out your weaknesses but to offer support," says Mwandermere.

"Later we could talk to her individually and she would talk about her own personal experiences in the field. That really showed she has understanding," says Mwandermere. "Patricia is very professional and she knows what she is teaching."

Mwandermere quickly found a job as an Assisted Living Worker at Vancouver's Victory House, and is proud of the reputation of her HSRCA education.

"Every employer I contacted gave me an interview," she says. "Douglas College has prestige with employers. They value the training we get here."

Learn more about education in this field.

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Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HSRCA) Program
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