Palliative Care #1253 2015-2016 Program Handbook OntarioLearn Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Note: This is a companion document to the current Conestoga Student Guide. 1 Contents 1. WELCOME .............................................................................................................. 3 2. PROGRAM HANDBOOK GUIDELINES .................................................................. 4 3. PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION ...................................................... 4 3.1 4. Program Faculty ................................................................................................. 4 PROGRAM OVERVIEW .......................................................................................... 4 4.1 Program Description .......................................................................................... 4 4.2 Program Design ................................................................................................. 4 4.2.1 5. Program Learning Outcomes....................................................................... 5 PROGRAM INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS .............................................. 6 5.1 Program Enrolment ............................................................................................ 6 5.2 Academic Assistance ......................................................................................... 6 5.3 Academic Dates ................................................................................................. 6 5.4 Academic Probation ........................................................................................... 6 5.5 Academic Standing and Promotion .................................................................... 6 5.6 Attendance ......................................................................................................... 7 5.7 Awards ............................................................................................................... 7 5.8 Clearance of Academic Deficiency..................................................................... 7 5.9 Course Add/Drop ............................................................................................... 7 5.10 Credit Transfer/Exemptions ............................................................................ 7 5.11 Program-Specific Pathways ............................................................................ 7 5.12 Discontinuance ............................................................................................... 7 5.13 Equipment Supplies and Texts ....................................................................... 9 5.14 Evaluations (deadlines, tests, and examinations) ........................................... 9 5.15 Graduation ...................................................................................................... 9 5.16 Program Progression ...................................................................................... 9 5.17 Re-admission Requirements ........................................................................... 9 5.18 Student Feedback ........................................................................................... 9 6. STUDENT SERVICES ........................................................................................... 10 7. FACILITY INFORMATION ..................................................................................... 10 8. SAFETY PROTOCOLS .......................................................................................... 10 9. CONESTOGA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .................................................... 10 10. PROGRAM REVISION LOG ............................................................................... 11 2 1. WELCOME Welcome to Conestoga! This program handbook has been designed to provide you with information specific to Palliative Care #1253. It is a companion document to the Student Guide. We are proud of the programming we offer and the pathways that are available here at Conestoga. Like you, more and more students are electing to further their education through online study, given the many benefits it provides. As a program offered through OntarioLearn, the course material is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is ideal for those who are unable to attend regularly scheduled classes. You can take courses from the comfort of home or almost anywhere, accessing the program courses at your convenience. Our faculty members are chosen not only for their subject matter expertise, but also for their passion for adult learning through the sharing of their knowledge and experience. Whether it be in a face-to-face, mixed, hybrid or online environment, our faculty have the teaching expertise to help you succeed in your educational goals. I wish you the best in your studies and encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about the program. Sincerely, Sandra Schelling Dean, Educational Technology, Continuing Education and Corporate Training 3 2. PROGRAM HANDBOOK GUIDELINES The purpose of this handbook is to provide students with program-specific details and other important information. The material in this handbook is accurate at the date of posting, and is applicable for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur, if any, through college email. Program handbooks are updated yearly and students must check their program handbook for the current edition. 3. PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION Dean, Continuing Education, Educational Technology & Corporate Training Sandra Schelling Doon Campus, Welcome Centre (519) 748-5220 ext. 3221 sschelling@conestogac.on.ca Program Administrator/OntarioLearn Coordinator: Shirley Nequest Doon Campus, Welcome Centre (519) 748-5220 ext. 3759 snequest@conestogac.on.ca 3.1 Program Faculty Contact information for this faculty will be provided on the first day of related courses. 4. PROGRAM OVERVIEW 4.1 Program Description This online program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individuals (RPNs, Orderlies, PSWs, Volunteers, Support Workers, and Clergy) who deal with the terminally ill and their families. Students will learn to provide compassionate care in which the quality of remaining life is the objective. Students will explore symptom control as the basis to develop a team approach which includes the patient and those close to them. Palliative care also attempts to provide bereavement care for families. Note: Students should refer to OntarioLearn for an up-to-date listing of courses. Students who have completed the theory courses need to contact the college regarding their placement. Students must be able to identify a location for their placement in order for the college to proceed with the arrangements. 4.2 Program Design Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below: 4 1. Log in to Student Portal 2. Click on ‘My Courses’ tab 3. Select ‘View Progress Report’ button Courses are listed by level/semester. Students can also view courses for the most current program design for this academic year on the Conestoga College website for Palliative Care #1253. To find these courses, scroll down the page to the ‘Program Courses’. 4.2.1 Program Learning Outcomes 1. Foster the dignity, self-worth and independence of the terminally ill, their families and significant others through the support of cultural health beliefs and practices affecting end-of-life care. 2. Appraise one's own, the client's and family's feelings and values in the areas of loss and bereavement, the physical process of dying, the meaning of death, and the preparation for death experienced by the client and family. 3. Participate on a multi and interdisciplinary team in palliative/hospice/end-of-life care, meeting the standards of palliative care. 4. Provide physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual care to the terminally ill, their families and significant others under the direction of registered health care workers, where appropriate, using a holistic approach. 5. Communicate effectively when interacting with the terminally ill, their families and significant others, in a variety of situations. 6. Implement strategies to manage the stress and common sources of conflict faced by the terminally ill client, their family during palliative/hospice/end-of-life care. 7. Assist the terminally ill, their families, and significant others, by implementing effective positive changes to enhance quality of life. 8. Identify ethical issues that may arise for individuals working in a palliative/hospice/end-of-life care environment in order to consult other team members as required to determine appropriate action. 9. Apply care giving skills associated with symptom management during palliative care including pain/comfort level, nutritional deficits, and side effects of treatments, sleep, and rest difficulties through the use of comfort measures. 5 10. Follow agency policies and procedures related to observation, reporting and recording. 5. PROGRAM INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS 5.1 Program Enrolment Did you know that in order to graduate from this program, you must first submit a program application for acceptance? Why should you complete a program application and be accepted in to this program? • • You will receive course and program communication updates. Credit for courses which are part of your program will be honoured despite program requirement changes. For more information please see the Program Application Form. 5.2 Academic Assistance Academic assistance is available to students through a variety of avenues. The program coordinator/academic advisor and faculty can advise students on specific program and course information such as adding/dropping courses, etc. Access the Conestoga website for assistance provided through Accessibility Services. 5.3 Academic Dates Program start and end dates, holidays and deadlines for course add/drop and withdrawal are located in the Student Guide. Course changes (add/dropping) may also be made through the Student Portal under the “My Courses” tab. Note: Not all programs follow listed dates. Contact your program coordinator or administrator for more information. 5.4 Academic Probation For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled Academic Standing and Promotion Requirements Procedure. 5.5 Academic Standing and Promotion Students are required to successfully pass all courses by meeting the specified minimum requirements in order to continue with the program. 6 5.6 Attendance The attendance policy varies from course to course. For more information please refer to your course outline. 5.7 Awards Visit the Financial Aid and Student Awards Office on Conestoga’s website for more information. 5.8 Clearance of Academic Deficiency During a student’s academic career, there may be occasions when the student’s performance results in a failing grade for a course. Conestoga grants students the opportunity to raise this grade to the minimum passing grade under specific circumstances. For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled Clearance of Academic Deficiency. 5.9 Course Add/Drop For more information regarding course add/drop, please refer to the Continuing Education Part-time Studies section of the Student Guide located in the Student Portal. It is strongly recommended that students consult their program coordinator/program administrator prior to dropping a course or for more information. 5.10 Credit Transfer/Exemptions Please see the Student Guide for more details regarding credit transfer/exemptions. 5.11 Program-Specific Pathways There are a number of different opportunities available to students who want to continue studying at Conestoga. For more information regarding program-specific pathways visit the Conestoga Pathways webpage. 5.12 Discontinuance Students may be discontinued from a program if they do not meet specific academic standards. For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled Discontinuance Policy. 7 5.13 Equipment Supplies and Texts For the most current listing of the required textbook(s) and/or supplies for each course, please visit the Course Details page. 5.14 Evaluations (deadlines, tests, and examinations) Copying and plagiarism of assignments will be dealt with in accordance with College Policy regarding Academic Integrity. Attendance for exams and tests is mandatory. If you miss an exam or test then a grade of 0% will be assigned and a re-write will not be permitted. The only time a re-write will be arranged is when you can provide a medical certificate stating due to illness or other authorized reasons you were unable to write the exam or test on the scheduled day. Faculty may choose to handle the makeup tests/exams directly or use the test centre service. For more information visit the Testing & Assessment Services webpage. 5.15 Graduation Students are eligible to graduate upon completion of all academic requirements in their program of study. Please contact the Registrar's Office for more information. 5.16 Program Progression Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses resulting from changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within five years of being admitted to the program. 5.17 Re-admission Requirements Please see the Student Guide for more information regarding re-admission requirements. 5.18 Student Feedback Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process. Student Appraisal of Teaching The OntarioLearn Evaluation Survey allows direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course. Completion of the survey gives teachers and academic managers valuable information. 9 Students complete an electronic copy and a summary of results is prepared by OntarioLearn. The report is sent to the Academic Manager who shares the report with the faculty member AFTER all marks for the semester have been collected. 6. STUDENT SERVICES Refer to the Student Guide for information on Student Services including Accessibility. 7. FACILITY INFORMATION Refer to the Student Guide for information on after-hours parking, classroom and computer labs. 8. SAFETY PROTOCOLS Refer to the Student Guide for Conestoga’s Safety and Security Services and procedures. 9. CONESTOGA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A Student Protection Acknowledge confirmation pop-up will appear once an applicant/student logs into the Student Portal. A PDF directs students to policies and procedures relevant to their academic responsibilities. Policies and procedures are searchable on Conestoga’s website. Students are advised to review and comply with all policies and procedures including the following: • Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy/Procedure • Academic Integrity Policy • Academic Recognition Policy • Academic Credential Procedure • Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy/Procedure • Co-operative Education Policy • Discontinuance Policy/Procedure • Eligibility to Participate in Co-op Work Terms Policy/Procedure • Evaluation of Student Learning Policy/Procedure • Grading Procedure • Graduation Requirements and Convocation Procedure • Honours Policy/Procedure • Program/Course (Cohort) Withdrawal Procedure • Student Concerns and Issues/Procedure • Student Fees Policy • Student Feedback Policy • Violation of Academic Integrity Procedure 10 10. PROGRAM REVISION LOG Revision Date 01/08/2014 01/07/2015 Summary of changes Original handbook creation. Updated per CCQI. 11