Personal Support Worker Program

PSW assist with tasks of daily leaving and companionship. Services are provided in homes and community institutions and in long-term facilities. PSW shows understanding of the Consumer/Client, recognize problem and meet the consumer/client's expectations. They must provide not only the comfort, safety and well-being of their clients, but also demonstrate sensitivity and respect for those in their care. The attitude, abilities and approach of the worker are critical to the well-being and health of the people they support. PSW must have a commitment to service excellence including continuing education and continuous quality improvement.

Program Length (26 weeks instructor-led full time training include:)

Theory and Practice in school: 285 hours
Supervised Clinical Placement: 180 hours (with the school’s teacher)
Precepted Clinical Placement: 175 hours (with Nursing Home and Community Preceptors)
Total: 640 hours

Admission Requirement

Student applying for admission into the PSW Program must meet the following requirements.

Ontario secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status

Foreign student: all foreign credentials must be translated into English and equivalent to grade 12 level in Canada

All potential students seeking admission into PSW program must pass a literacy test; passing score must be equivalent to grade 12 level

Additional Requirements

1. Medical Certificate (Immunization Form) is required indicating that the student has up-to-date immunization

2. CPR & First Aid Certificates - Students must complete STANDARD FIRST AID and BASIC RESCUER CPR prior to clinical placement

3. Police check of Criminal Record - Must be produced within 30 days of starting school

Open Class for Program Information

New students are invited to attend an information open class on …….. at PSCC campus

Certificate Requirements

To be eligible to receive the Personal Support Worker Diploma, the student must successfully complete all 14 modules, of theory and practice, and supervised (with the school’s teacher) and precepted clinical placements (with Nursing Home and Community Preceptors).

Work Experience

Students will participate in supervised and precepted practices, in both Community settings and Nursing Homes. Clinical placement provides students with an opportunity to practice their new skills in a work setting. While on placement, students gain experience in a wider range of PSW skills, become more self confident and in some cases receive offers of employment from the placement site. Student clinical placements are arranged and scheduled by the school.

Prerequisites
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that program requirements and subject prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are included for student’s academic protection.

Graduation
Personal Support Worker Diploma is issued after the completion of all 14 modules and supervised and precepted practicum.
Individuals who wish to confine their role to basic homemaking may exit the program after successful completion of the first 7 modules. These individuals may receive a certificate as a Personal Attendant.

Passing Grade
Minimum of 70% in all 14 modules
Satisfactory rating in each of the Performance Demonstrations
Satisfactory rating in all of the required skills
Completion of the required practicum hours
Minimum of 65% on the final PSW Examination

Occupation NOC Code
For the Personal Support Worker National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code is 6471.

Typical Employer (Career Opportunities)
· Hospitals
· Nursing homes or long-term care facilities
· Retirement or senior homes
· Community care centers
· Health care services providers
· Social and family services
· Alzheimer's programs
You can also become self-employed or get a private contract with a health care agency.

Duties and Responsibilities
Provide personal care and companionship
Assists with all activities of daily living including bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility and feeding
Feed or assist in feeding
Administer medication
Assist client to walk
Administer bedside, perform light housekeeping and cleaning and tidies resident rooms
Supports client's independence regarding medications
Recognizes and reports changes in a client's behavior/condition
Provides informal counseling, as needed

Skills/Experience Required (Employer Requirement)

Oral and written communication
Working with others
Problem solving
Decision making
Critical thinking
Job tasks planning and organizing
Work effectively as a team member and demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the other members of the health care team
Providing a service in a variety of cultures and diverse background promoting independence, mobility, personal appearance, comfort and safety
Recognize own strengths and limitations and seek out guidance appropriately
Recognize and report changes in the client's condition, health state, and/or routine activities of living and report these changes to the appropriate member of the health care team
Recognize indicators of abuse and respond appropriately