How long is the Community Health Representative at Portage College?
36 Week Certificate

What you need to get in to the Community Health Representative at Portage College?
Promoting wholistic health for individuals, families and communities. Community Health Representatives (CHRs) are dedicated to improving the health of their communities including First Nation communities, Metis Settlements and Regional Health Authorities in Alberta. The CHR primary role is to assist with the provision of health education to culturally diverse groups and to encourage community awareness and responsibility for health related programs. CHRs create a caring environment through home visits and other health promotion and injury prevention activities that encourages community people to work together. CHRs help people realize that health is not just the absence of disease, but also the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of each person and their community. CHRs provide an important cross-cultural link, translating basic medical terminology for clients, and in turn, interpreting language and/or cultural practices to health care professionals. CHRs are recognized as a vital part of the health care team with promotion and prevention knowledge, skills and awareness to help in the delivery of public health programs. In collaboration with the health care team they play an active role in the provision of a wide range of preventative health services, including screening (and referral) programs for the early detection of disease, and in the control of infectious diseases. In First Nations communities they are also responsible for implementing Environmental Health programs such as routine testing of the community's water supply. An accredited program since 1973, the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program is a recognized occupation in the health care field. Further information is available from www.alis.alberta.ca/occinfo. The Portage College 36 week program consists of 24 weeks of instruction and 12 weeks of fieldwork. Fieldwork is undertaken at the student's local health center, health unit, or community agency. Entrance Requirements: Canadian Adult Achievement Test - CAAT - Level C, Stanine 4 or greater on CAAT - C Grade 12 or equivalent OR Mature Status. For students admitted under Mature Status, a suitable combination of education and experience may be considered. Up-to-date immunizations, as recommended for all health care professionals. Valid driver's license. Approved fieldwork letter from Nurse-in-Charge/Public Health Nurse at the health centre/unit. Criminal Record Check Waiver Form. Prospective students should recognize that their own wellness or healing journey must be demonstrated before entering into the health care field. Transferability: Graduates will receive credit for Disability Studies courses Health Issues RSER 112 and Interpersonal Competence RSER 103 at Portage College. CHR graduates receive 30 credits towards the Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services Degree Program at Athabasca University.

For more information on the Community Health Representative at Portage College
(780) 623-5580

Does the :program offer a Coop?
No

Distance Education Available:
No

What type of learning environment should I expect in the Community Health Representative?
In Class Study