HSER 255 Professional Foundations for Human Services

School of Health and Human Services

HSER 255 Professional Foundations for Human Services explores foundations of Human Service Worker professional practice through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.

Prerequisites: HSER 254 with a minimum grade of 60%

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Nobctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Examine one’s critical thinking skills in practice
  2. Analyze your role as a professional within the context of ethical practice
  3. Evaluate one’s role in the dynamics of team functioning and the implied responsibilities for the Human Service Workers
  4. Within the context of Human Service practice, observe and document behavior and identify appropriate actions

Teaching and Learning Approach

This class requires active participation in order to engage in the critical thinking process needed to explore the course concepts. This means showing up to class having reviewed all resources, asking questions, listening to instructors and peers, and participating in small and large learning activities. Assignments will reflect practical applications of theories discussed and will be based on realistic case scenarios. There will be opportunity at the end of term to demonstrate your learning authentically by using creativity to share your emerging practice framework and key learnings. Your instructors approach this course with the intention to encourage critical thinking alongside opportunities each class to apply theory to practice.

Learning Resources

No Required textbook, course resources will be available on Moodle

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. 1. Introduction to the course Critical Thinking in Practice

2. 2. Professional Boundaries

3. 3. Documentation and Recording in Professional Practice

4. 4. Ethics in Professional Practice

5. 5. Making the Most of Supervision

6. 6. Ethical Decision-Making

7. 7. READING BREAK

8. 8. Working with Cultural Diversity

9. 9. Assessment and Care Planning

10. 10. Risk Assessment

11. 11. Risk Assessment (continued)

12. 12. Constructive Teams

13. 13. Putting it all together Time to work on Presentations

14. 14. Philosophy of Helping: Final Presentations

15. 15. No final exams for this course

Assessment

TitleLearning OutcomesValue
Documentation Assignment420%
Ethical Decision Making Assignment1, 2, 330%
Risk Assessment Assignment415%
Philosophy of Helping1, 2, 3, 435%
Total100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.