ABORIGINAL STUDENTS GAIN MORE HEALTH EDUCATION ACCESS
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2010ALMD0031-000793
June 30, 2010
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
ABORIGINAL STUDENTS GAIN MORE HEALTH EDUCATION ACCESS
VANCOUVER – The Province is investing $322,400 at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and Vancouver Community College (VCC) to train 38 Aboriginal health care and medical office assistants, announced George Abbott, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
“Aboriginal students in our province have a promising future and we’re working hard to help them reach their full potential,” said Abbott. “This program will help close the gaps in education opportunities between Aboriginal students and other British Columbians.”
This one-time funding will support a new medical office assistant program at NVIT and expand the delivery of the health care assistant program at VCC in 2010-11. Both programs will be delivered in the Lower Mainland, and NVIT is partnering with VCC on the delivery of the medical office assistant program. VCC will offer curriculum support to NVIT and assistance for student clinical placements within Vancouver medical offices.
Medical office assistant graduates are responsible for keeping the medical office running smoothly and require excellent communication and office skills to help co-ordinate quality patient care. Health care assistant (HCA) graduates will provide health care in a variety of institutional and community settings, including both home support agencies and residential care facilities. HCA graduates can use their credits and work experience toward a certificate in practical nursing.
“We know how important it is to ensure B.C. students have better access and a wide variety of choice in pursuit of post-secondary education,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister for Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “These new spaces will help our students achieve their educational goals and provide them with the post-secondary education and skills training they need to succeed.”
“NVIT’s delivery of the medical office assistant program is another example of our commitment to developing health programming for Aboriginal students and meeting the health-related needs of our communities,” said Casey Sheridan, president of NVIT. “This program will be delivered at our Metro Vancouver campus in Fall 2010 and complements the health care assistant and access to practical nursing programs NVIT currently delivers.”
“Vancouver Community College is pleased to expand the health care assistant program with a focus on Aboriginal students,” said VCC president Kathy Kinloch. “This program will integrate Aboriginal culture and issues throughout the curriculum, and the skills our Aboriginal students will gain will be an invaluable asset to the communities they serve in British Columbia.”
The Province will invest $146,000 in NVIT in one-time funding for their medical assistant program. VCC will receive $176,400 in one-time funding for their health care assistant program. Both institutions provincial funding is part of almost $1.7 million provided to six public post-secondary institutions in urban and rural communities across B.C. for 210 new student spaces to train practical nurses, health care assistants and medical office assistants.
Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $937 million in health-related operating and capital funding at post-secondary institutions across B.C.
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For media inquiries only, contact:
Lisa Tees
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
250 952-6400
250 888-3466 (cell)
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