Activity Assistant

If you are positive, compassionate, and creative and enjoy the rewards of spending time with elders, a career as an activity assistant may be the perfect fit for you. Not only are there many openings available, but it is also a fulfilling career with good income potential.

According to WorkBC, as B.C.’s population continues to age, the health care and social assistance field will see the largest increase in job openings in the next 10 years. Fifty-four percent of these will come from the need to replace retiring workers, while an additional 46 percent will arise as a result of expansion in the health care system in response to the growing medical needs of an aging population.

Most activity assistants are employed by health care agencies and work in long term care homes. However, some also find employment in residential homes, community mental health centres, adult day care programs, hospice care, community centres, private homes, and even cruise ships. Common titles for Activity Assistant grads include:

• Activity assistant
• Activity aide
• Activity worker
• Care/activity aide
• Activity coordinator
• Therapy recreation wellness assistant
• Recreation assistant
• Recreation aide
• Recreation worker
• Recreation programmer
• Life enrichment assistant

Entrance requirements

You must complete the entrance requirements listed below before you apply.

• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent or minimum of 19 years of age before the first day of classes.
• Proficient use of the English language. This level may be met by one or more of the following:
  • Communications 11 or 12 with a C+ or better.
  • English 10 or equivalent with a C+ or better.
  • Canadian Language Benchmark placement test (CLBPT) – 8 overall, with no skill less than 7.
  • EAP 084 with a C+ or better.
• Letter from employer(s) confirming 20 volunteer or work hours in an adult care setting with satisfactory reference/recommendation.
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening Criminal Check Record.
• Submission of a signed health assessment indicating physical fitness and emotional stability.

All students entering this program are expected to be computer literate. This means knowing how to run programs from a Windows environment, and having basic Internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills. Students must have reliable transportation to all clinical practicum sites.

Practicum requirements

You must complete the practicum requirements listed below before the beginning of your first practicum.

• Completion of up-to-date immunization program and complete Tuberculosis (TB) Test to participate in practicum placements.
• Current Standard First Aid/CPR level C certification.
• FOODSAFE Level 1 certification.

Courses

The program is divided into courses as listed below.

1. ACTA 10: Fundamental Concepts for Activity Assistants 
   Online — 30 hours
2. ACTA 20: Wellness and Well-Being in Activity
   Online — 30 hours 
3. ACTA 30: Interpersonal and Communication Skills in Dementia Care 
   Online – 30 Hours
4. ACTA 40: Understanding the Population of Older Adults
   Online — 30 hours
5. ACTA 60: Activity Design and Implementation Techniques
   In class — 30 hours
6. ACTA 50: Practicum Orientation: Introduction to Care Settings
   In-class — 10 hours pre-practicum
7. ACTA PRAC 1: Practicum #1
   30 hours — observational
8. ACTA 70: Activity Adaptation and Modification for Physical and Cognitive Changes in Older Adults
   In class — 30 hours
9. ACTA 80: Responding and Managing Responsive Behaviours
   In class — 30 hours
10. Employment Preparation
    In Class — 10 hours
11. ACTA PRAC 2: Practicum #2
    90 hours — Hands-on, practical