Sexual Health Rehabilitation

Centred on an existing competency framework and principles of sexual health rehabilitation, this 2-course, 6-credit microcredential is designed to prepare a diverse group of learners to assess for patients’ sexual concerns within their specific discipline of practice. Learners will acquire skills to provide psychoeducation and support to patients in a way that is person-centred, culturally safe and trauma informed. This will involve effective integration of sexual rehabilitation principles, frameworks and communication strategies and offering practical resources related to sexual health and wellbeing. This microcredential is for healthcare professionals with a diploma or degree in a health profession or discipline (or enrolled in such a program) and may include:

• Registered Nurses
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Midwives
• Medical interns or residents
• Physicians
• Kinesiologists
• Massage therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers

About the program

BCIT’s School of Health Science’s brand-new Sexual Health Rehabilitation microcredential is one of a kind in Canada. The program was developed in close collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCHs) Sexual Health Rehabilitation Service, which has been providing sexual health rehabilitation care for clients with chronic illness/disabilities for the past fifty years. This microcredential is for healthcare professionals working in any healthcare sector or setting. The program will prepare health care providers with the knowledge, comfort, approach, and skills to effectively promote patients’ sexual well-being within their own practice setting.

• 2-course, 6-credit part time program
• Each course will take up to 12 weeks to complete, with an average of 3-4 hours of work per week
• Online, asynchronous, distance format with optional opportunities to connect virtually as a class.

Who it’s for

This program is for individuals who:

• Have a diploma or degree in a health-related field (or are in the final year of their program)
• Would like to expand their knowledge, skills and abilities in sexual health and wellbeing for their patient population
• Have an interest in interdisciplinary aspects of sexual health rehabilitation and learning in an interdisciplinary environment
• Are interested in developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills to apply in the context of sexual health and wellbeing
• Wish to foster a cultural safe, trauma-informed and intersectionality approach to sexual health rehabilitation

What grads can do

By earning your BCIT Microcredential in Sexual Health Rehabilitation, you’ll gain greater confidence and competence to incorporate sexual health rehabilitation principles and strategies into your own practice. You will be well-equipped to address the sexual health and wellbeing of your patients regardless of the patient population or setting in which you work. As well, you will be able to promote a permission-giving, sex-positive, inclusive, culturally safe and trauma-informed environment whereby patients (and their partners) will be more comfortable to talk about any sexual concerns they may have.  The microcredential will offer you the added credibility with employers, colleagues, and others, to engage in quality improvement, research and initiatives in the realm of sexual rehabilitation. It will give graduates a strong foundation for ongoing clinical practical experiences and growth in sexual health rehabilitation.

Nicole Pasquino
Faculty Lead for Sexual Health
Tel: 604-451-7006
Email: npasquino@bcit.ca