JIBC is set to launch a new credential that covers the knowledge and competencies required by Community Care Licensing Officers (CCLOs). The Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing starts in October 2013.

CCLOs are employed by provincial health authorities to inspect and monitor private and public facilities for child care, youth residential care, residential group care and long-term care in B.C. They also conduct investigations, provide education and support to licensees, and take action to bring facilities into compliance with the Acts and Regulations that govern them.

“We are pleased to deliver a unique program that supports the health, safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said JIBC President Dr. Michel Tarko. “We expect this credential to become the education standard that health authorities will look for when hiring CCLOs. Graduates of the program will be well prepared to meet the rigorous qualifications required by health authorities in British Columbia and across the country.”

The program comprises 30 credits of specialized and advanced curriculum. Courses are delivered in a flexible online format designed to suit the needs of people with work and family commitments.

The program is primarily aimed at current CCLOs seeking professional and career development; and prospective CCLOs, who are typically people with work experience as care providers or managers in a community care setting; or those with other professional experience within a health authority.

Due to the advanced nature of the program, applicants are typically required to have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. However, applicants who have completed a recognized diploma program and possess significant work experience in a related field will also be eligible for admission.

Curriculum was developed in partnership with British Columbia’s Ministry of Health and provincial health authorities as well as other industry partners.

“Community care licensing officers are an important part of our overall health care system, and play a key role in helping to ensure that our loved ones are safe – whether they are our children in a day care facility or our parents in long-term care,” said Dr. Terry Lake, Minister of Health. “These training spaces will help to support our government’s work on the Seniors Action Plan, which focuses on actions designed to improve the quality of life of B.C. seniors.”

Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education, says “Our government is committed to delivering a new training program for community care licensing officers and I am delighted that we’re working with the Justice Institute of British Columbia to fulfill that commitment. It’s another great example of our post-secondary education system meeting the changing training needs of our health care system.”

The Ministry of Advanced Education supports this new program as a direct response to a specific recommendation made by the BC Ombudsperson in the report The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in British Columbia (part2). The program also supports the seniors’ action plan and is an investment into a priority health education program that will benefit British Columbians now and in the future.

Program Information

For program details and to apply, go to www.jibc.ca/cclo.