Refresher Series for Unregulated Health Providers

Supporting Excellence in Care for Indigenous Communities

Overview
This 10-session webinar series is designed specifically for Unregulated Health Providers working in Indigenous communities, including Personal Support Workers, Health Care Aides, Home Support Workers, and Community Health Representatives. Each session offers a one-hour, focused refresher on essential topics to strengthen skills, support culturally safe care, and improve confidence in delivering frontline health services.

Who Should Attend
Unregulated Health Providers working in Indigenous home care, community health, or long-term care settings. This includes:

• Personal Support Workers (PSWs)
• Health Care Aides
• Home Support Workers
• Community Health Representatives (CHRs)

Pricing

• Full Series (10 webinars): $350.00
• Individual Sessions: $50.00 each

Group rates and community-based delivery options available upon request.

Format

• 10 one-hour webinars
• Interactive and practical
• Culturally informed and context-specific for Indigenous communities

Topics Covered

1. Urinary Catheter Care: Essentials
   Best practices in care, monitoring, and infection prevention.
2. Skin Integrity, Foot Care & Bed Sore Prevention
   Recognizing risks and promoting skin health through routine care.
3. Infection Prevention 101: Practical Approaches
   Core principles of hand hygiene, PPE, and household precautions.
4. Assisting with Personal Care
   Supporting respectful, person-centred hygiene and grooming care.
5. Palliative Care & Oxygen Safety in the Home
   Foundations of palliative care and oxygen use safety in community settings.
6. Documentation and Confidentiality
   Accurate recording, privacy, and ethical responsibilities.
7. Falls Prevention & Home Safety Assessment in Indigenous Communities
   Identifying risks, promoting mobility, and ensuring home safety.
8. Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care for Health Providers
   Recognizing burnout and building wellness strategies.
9. Body Mechanics & Back Safety: Safe Lifting and Using a Mechanical Lift
   Preventing injury through proper technique and use of equipment.
10. Delegation of Skills
    Understanding scope, communication, and safe team collaboration.

Benefits of Attending

• Strengthen clinical and safety knowledge
• Gain culturally safe, real-world strategies
• Network with peers across communities
• Enhance confidence in daily practice

Refresher Series for Unregulated Health Providers

Who Should Attend:
Unregulated health providers such as Personal Support Workers, Community Health Representatives, Home Support Workers, and other caregivers working in Indigenous communities.

Urinary Catheter Care Essentials – Tuesday, September 16^th, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Description:
This one-hour interactive webinar is designed to equip unregulated health providers working in Indigenous communities with practical knowledge and confidence to support clients with urinary catheters. Grounded in culturally safe practices, the session will provide a foundational understanding of catheter care while recognizing the unique realities and resources of remote and rural settings.

Participants will learn:

• The purpose and types of urinary catheters (Foley, suprapubic, intermittent)
• Daily maintenance and hygiene tips to prevent infection
• How to monitor for signs of complications (e.g., blockage, UTI, leakage)
• When and how to escalate concerns to a nurse or clinician
• Strategies to provide respectful and trauma-informed care

This session blends Western clinical knowledge with respectful, community-centered approaches and includes time for questions and practical discussion. Ideal for personal support workers, community health representatives, and other frontline helpers, the webinar reinforces the vital role unregulated providers play in maintaining dignity and quality of life for clients with urinary catheters

Skin Integrity, Foot Care & Bed Sore Prevention: Essentials for Unregulated Health Providers -Tuesday, October 14^th, 2025 @ 12:00pm-13:00pm EST

Description:
This one-hour webinar is designed specifically for unregulated health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada. Maintaining healthy skin and preventing complications such as bed sores (pressure injuries) and foot issues is essential to supporting the health and comfort of clients, especially Elders and those with limited mobility or chronic conditions like diabetes.

In this session, participants will learn:

• The basics of skin assessment and early signs of skin breakdown
• Essential daily foot care practices and when to refer to a professional
• Practical strategies to prevent pressure injuries in clients who are bedridden or have reduced mobility
• The connection between chronic conditions, like diabetes, and increased risk for skin and foot problems
• Culturally safe approaches to providing respectful and effective care

Through real-world examples, discussion, and practical tips, this webinar supports caregivers in building confidence and competence in everyday care, with a strong focus on prevention, observation, and community-based support.

Infection Prevention 101: Practical Approaches for Health Providers in Indigenous Communities – Tuesday, November 18^th, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour interactive webinar is designed for health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices that are practical, culturally respectful, and applicable in both home and community care settings.

The session will cover:

• Core principles of infection prevention (hand hygiene, PPE, environmental cleaning, and respiratory etiquette)
• Common infection risks in community and home settings
• How to break the chain of infection
• Culturally safe approaches to discussing infection prevention with clients and families
• Adapting IPAC practices to local resources and realities

Through case examples and discussion, participants will leave with refreshed knowledge and tools to support safe, effective care while protecting themselves, their clients, and the broader community.

Assisting with Personal Care: Foundational Skills for Unregulated Health Providers – Tuesday, December 16^th, 2025 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour, hands-on webinar is designed for unregulated health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada. Participants will learn essential personal care skills to support individuals in a respectful, safe, and culturally aware manner. The session focuses on practical demonstrations and key considerations when assisting with daily living activities, including:

• How to change an adult brief with dignity and privacy
• Techniques for dressing someone in bed safely
• Repositioning a person in bed to promote comfort and prevent pressure injuries
• Assisting someone with eating and drinking while maintaining safety and choice

The webinar will highlight culturally safe practices and person-centered approaches that honour the values and traditions of the community. There will be time for questions and discussion to ensure participants feel confident and supported in their caregiving roles.

Palliative Care & Oxygen Safety in the Home- Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour webinar provides unregulated health providers with foundational knowledge and practical skills to support clients receiving palliative care in the home, with a special focus on oxygen therapy safety. Participants will explore culturally respectful approaches to palliative care within Indigenous communities and learn how to provide comfort, dignity, and safety for individuals and families navigating life-limiting illness.

Topics will include:

• An overview of palliative care principles and goals
• Supporting comfort and quality of life at the end of life
• Safe use and handling of home oxygen equipment
• Fire and environmental safety considerations
• Practical tips for monitoring clients on oxygen therapy
• Communicating with families about oxygen safety and palliative support
• Culturally safe and compassionate care practices

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the role of unregulated providers in supporting palliative care at home
• Identify key safety practices related to home oxygen use
• Support families in creating a safe, comfortable, and respectful home environment for clients receiving palliative care

This session encourages open discussion and includes real-world examples tailored to the realities of working in Indigenous communities.

Documentation and Confidentiality: Best Practices for Unregulated Health Providers- Tuesday, February 17^th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour webinar is designed for unregulated health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada. The session will explore the essential principles and practices of health documentation and confidentiality within a culturally safe framework. Participants will learn why accurate documentation is important, what to include in client notes, and how to document respectfully and clearly. The webinar will also cover legal and ethical considerations related to confidentiality, including who can access client information, how to store records safely, and what to do if a breach occurs.

Participants will also reflect on how historical and ongoing experiences of discrimination and colonialism may shape Indigenous clients’ trust in healthcare systems, and how to document and protect information in a way that builds trust and honors community values.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the purpose and importance of clear and accurate documentation in health care.
• Identify what information should and should not be included in client notes.
• Apply best practices for maintaining confidentiality and privacy.
• Learn how to respond to confidentiality breaches.
• Reflect on culturally safe documentation practices in the context of Indigenous health.

Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care for Health Providers in Indigenous Communities – Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
Health providers working in Indigenous communities often hold deep, trusting relationships with those they serve, which can expose them to repeated stories of trauma, grief, and loss. Over time, this can lead to vicarious trauma—a shift in a helper’s internal experience resulting from empathetic engagement with others’ suffering. Without intentional self-care and support, vicarious trauma can affect emotional wellbeing, job satisfaction, and personal relationships.

This one-hour webinar will introduce participants to the concept of vicarious trauma and provide culturally grounded, practical strategies for self-care and resilience. It will highlight the importance of community, connection, and cultural practices as sources of strength and healing. Through reflection and discussion, participants will learn how to recognize the signs of vicarious trauma in themselves and others, and explore ways to maintain wellness while continuing to provide compassionate care.

Learning Objectives:

• Define vicarious trauma and recognize its signs and symptoms
• Understand the impact of working with trauma in Indigenous contexts
• Explore culturally safe and community-informed approaches to self-care
• Identify strategies for building emotional resilience and maintaining wellbeing

Who Should Attend:
Unregulated and regulated health providers, including community health workers, nurses, personal support workers, and mental wellness teams working in or with Indigenous communities across Canada.

Falls Prevention & Home Safety Assessment – Tuesday, April 21^st, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar  Description:
Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalization among Elders and individuals with mobility challenges. In Indigenous communities, where many people prefer to age at home, supporting safety in the home environment is vital. This one-hour webinar will provide unregulated health providers with practical knowledge and culturally relevant strategies to help prevent falls and conduct basic home safety assessments.

Participants will explore common risk factors for falls, learn how to recognize safety hazards in the home, and practice approaches to support clients and families in making their spaces safer. The session will also highlight the importance of incorporating culturally safe, respectful conversations when discussing fall risks and home modifications.

Key Topics Covered:

• Common causes and consequences of falls in community and home settings
• Environmental risk factors to look for during home visits
• Simple strategies and tools to improve home safety
• How to engage Elders and families in fall prevention conversations
• When and how to refer to other team members for further assessment or support

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify common fall risks among clients in Indigenous communities
• Perform a basic home safety check using a practical checklist
• Provide culturally appropriate education to clients and families
• Recognize when additional support or referral is needed

Body Mechanics & Back Safety: Safe Lifting and Using a Mechanical Lift- Tuesday, May 19^th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour interactive webinar is designed for health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada. Participants will learn the principles of body mechanics and back safety to reduce the risk of injury during client care activities. The session will include practical guidance on how to move, lift, and reposition clients safely using proper posture and ergonomics. It will also provide step-by-step instruction on the safe use of a mechanical lift, including pre-use checks, client preparation, and two-person lift protocols. Culturally safe care and respect for community values will be woven throughout the training.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the importance of proper body mechanics and back safety.
• Identify common causes of injury and how to prevent them during lifting and repositioning.
• Demonstrate safe techniques for moving clients in bed and from seated positions.
• Understand when and how to use a mechanical lift safely and effectively.
• Promote teamwork and communication during client transfers to ensure safety and dignity.

This training supports caregivers in protecting their health while providing safe, respectful, and high-quality care within Indigenous community settings.

Delegation of Skills- Tuesday, June 16^th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 13:00 pm EST

Webinar Description:
This one-hour webinar is designed for health providers working in Indigenous communities across Canada and explores the principles, responsibilities, and practices of safe and effective delegation of skills in community-based healthcare settings. Participants will learn when and how delegation is appropriate, the legal and ethical considerations involved, and how to maintain culturally safe relationships while working within scope.

Through discussion and practical examples, this session will highlight the importance of trust, communication, and collaboration between regulated and unregulated care providers. The webinar also emphasizes the importance of respecting community context, traditional knowledge, and capacity building when delegating clinical tasks.

Key Topics Include:

• What is delegation and why it matters in Indigenous health care
• Roles and responsibilities of delegators and delegatees
• Understanding scope of practice and accountability
• Documentation and communication best practices
• Culturally safe delegation: promoting respect and safety
• Real-world examples from Indigenous community settings