Personal Support Worker Program
PSWAdmission Requirements
AdmissionContact Us and we will guide you through the necessary steps.
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) OR
- Equivalent: Foreign credentials must be translated in English and assessed for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized organization OR
- Mature Student with a score of 11 or more on the Wonderlic SLE (or other MCU approved test â Note: CAT and CAST can no longer be used)
- Signed Vulnerable Sector Disclaimer In Ontario, the MCU requires all students to sign a Vulnerable Sector Disclaimer upon enrollment.
- Signed Medical Disclaimer In Ontario, all students are required to sign a Medical Disclaimer upon enrollment.
English Language Proficiency
If English is not a studentâs first language, they must provide proof of English competency. English Language Proficiency Requirements are ONE of the following: :
- IELTS â Intâl English Language Testing Services â Minimum score of 5.5 with no subject test score lower than 5.5; or
- TOEFL â Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet based test (IBT) â Overall 80 with the minimum in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; or
- CAEL: Overall 60 No section below 60
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General with a score of 7 (no section score below 6)
- Canadian Language Benchmark Tests with a score of 7 in each strand (not an average of 7)
- Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 95
- Pearson PTE Academic with a minimum score of 46
- NACC Written Entrance Exam (passing score of 60)
- Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at a Canadian institution
- Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at an institution outside of Canada
Industry Accredited Program
Fast-tracked & Comprehensive
Hands-on Experience
Up to $25,000 grants
Our Industrial Partners are hiring PSWs
The Personal Support Worker program is a certificate program that provides training and skills to the students to provide or assist with personal care for the elderly, the chronically ill and persons with accessibility challenges. These patients may live in the community, in long-term care facilities or in select ambulatory care settings.
The program provides you an entryway into the growing Canadian healthcare industry, which is experiencing unprecedented government investment. This includes a previously-announced temporary wage increase and a $5,000 Return of Service incentive for PSWs who commit to working for 6 months at a long-term care facility, in-home care, or community care agency.
As a trained PSW, you may look after patients in a home, hospital, and/or long-term care facility.
The Personal Support Worker program delivers strong administrative and clinical skills and knowledge, the skills necessary to implement theories on topics such as cognitive and mental health issues and brain injuries, and the know-how to assist with patientsâ medications. The completion of the in-class courses is followed by a 12-week clinical placement where youâll get hands-on experience in the field.
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Students enrolled in this program will receive:
- Clinical work placement in a community and long-term care facility.
- National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) curriculum that maps to the Ontario provincial-approved training standard.
- Classrooms that simulate real-world healthcare setting, including hospital beds, wheelchairs and other required equipment.
- CPR (HCPâHealthcare Provider Level / BLS-Basic Life Support)/First Aid training
- Gentle Persuasive Approach Certificate
- Intramuscular/ Subcutaneous Insulin Administration Certificate
Classes are held on-site at our state-of-the-art Trillium Vocational Institute located at the Scarborough Campus
Program Courses
Courses| Â | Courses |
|---|---|
| 1 | PSW Foundations |
| 2 | Safety and Mobility |
| 3 | Body Systems |
| 4 | Assisting with Personal Hygiene |
| 5 | Assisting with Abuse and Neglect |
| 6 | Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration |
| 7 | Care Planning/Restorative Care/Documentation/Working in the Community |
| 8 | Assisting the Family, Growth and Development |
| 9 | Assisting the Dying Person |
| 10 | Assisting with Medications |
| 11 | Cognitive/Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries |
| 12 | Health Conditions |
| 13 | Clinical Placements in Facility and Community with Supervised work experience. |
Tuition and Fees
PSWProgram Duration
ProgramProgram Outcomes
Outcomes- Work within the personal support worker role in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation and employerâs job description, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Act responsibly and be accountable for own actions while recognizing the boundaries of knowledge and skills within the personal support worker role that require collaboration with the clients, families, supervisors and/or other members of the interprofessional care/service team.
- Participate as a member of the interprofessional care/service team and maintain collaborative working relationships in the provision of supportive care in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings.
- Provide client-centred and client-directed care that is based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse client and family values, beliefs and needs and that follows the direction of the plan of care/service plan.
- Establish and maintain helping relationships with clients and their families, reflecting open communication, professional boundaries, employerâs policies and adhering to confidentiality and privacy legislation.
- Identify relevant client information using basic assessment and communication skills and report and document findings in accordance with the requirements of employer policies and procedures and all applicable legislation.
- Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others, including the implementation of infection prevention and control measures and emergency first aid procedures that are in keeping with the plan of care/service plan, employer policies and procedures and all applicable legislation.
- Assist clients across the lifespan with routine activities of daily living by applying basic knowledge of growth and development, common alterations in functioning, disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, rehabilitation and restorative care.
- Assist clients with medication in keeping with the direction of the plan of care/service plan and under the direction and monitoring of a regulated health professional or most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employerâs policies.
- Assist with household management tasks and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care/service plan and considering the preferences, comfort and safety of clients, families and significant others.
- Assist clients who are caring for dependent individuals considering client and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care/service plan.
- Identify and report situations of neglect, and potential, alleged or witnessed/actual incidents of abuse, and respond in accordance with all applicable legislation and employerâs policies and procedures.
- Assist in the provision of culturally relevant palliative and end-of-life care to clients experiencing life-threatening illness and to their families and significant others, from diagnosis through death and bereavement, and in accordance with clientsâ choices and the plan of care/service plan.
- Use identified approaches and best practices to support positive and safe behaviour in clients experiencing cognitive impairment, mental health challenges and/or responsive behaviours.
Why choose the PSW program?
WhyJob Security
The need for personal support workers in Ontario grows each year as our population continues to age. In 2016, 16.4% of Ontarioâs population, totalling about 3 million people, were over the age of 65. That percentage is expected to jump to 25% by 2041. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities will continue to need professionals to assist in caring for this ever-growing population of elderly Canadians.
Because of this demand, PSW positions in Canada are expected to exceed 33,000 openings before 2028, with both part-time and full-time employment opportunities anticipated to be available. This also means personal support workers benefit from increased job security, as their knowledge and expertise will continue to be an essential part of every community.
Opportunity for Growth
Studying to become a personal support worker is the starting point for a successful career in healthcare. While opportunities for PSWs are abundant, the knowledge and skillset required to succeed as a PSW are transferable to other healthcare professions.
PSW certificate graduates can take other courses, upgrading their certifications to a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in as little as one year. Eventually, a PSW can use their educational background to work toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). This opportunity to progress makes a personal support worker program the perfect foundation for aspiring healthcare workers.
Opportunity to Change Lives
Unlike many other healthcare professions, the personal support worker role provides the unique opportunity to personally affect every patientâs physical and psycho-social well-being through hours and hours of one-on-one interaction.
As a PSW, you will get to know your patients on a personal level, giving you the chance to see firsthand how your work benefits your community.
Curious if a career as a Personal Support Worker is right for you?
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) plays a crucial role in the healthcare
system by providing support to patients with their daily personal care
and helping them with activities that they may not be able to do
themselves due to illness, disability, or aging. Learn what it takes and if
it aligns with your passionâunsure? Just click “PSW Right for Me?” to
explore your potential in this fulfilling field.
How we can Help Our Candidates?
Get you career ready in under a year:
Our PSW program is designed to teach you the skills employers want, with plenty of real-world practice, so you become job-ready in less than a year.
Employment Support:
We offer comprehensive career services, from professional growth workshops to insider job-hunting tips, along with access to current job openings in your field.
Earn While You Learn:
Experience our dedicated support in securing paid placements as our counselors guide you through each step, ensuring you are funded and ready to go.
Personalized Guidance:
Benefit from the undivided attention of our instructors in small class settings, ensuring personalized guidance that nurtures your unique career path.
Career Opportunities
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Upon graduation, you will be ready to offer care to patients and clients on your own or with a team of other healthcare professionals in a range of facility and community settings. Some options include:
- Long-term care facilities
- Group homes
- Private homes
- Hospitals
- Retirement homes
- Adult day centers
- Home care agencies
- Supportive housing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to earn this Personal Support Worker Certificate?
28 weeks (8 months)
What are the prerequisites or requirements to enroll in the Personal Support Worker Certificate program?
Review the Personal Support Worker (Link to PSW page) page for more information about prerequisites and requirements.
What are the job prospects for Personal Support Workers after completing a certificate, course or program?
Students who graduate from the Personal Support Worker Certificate program can expect a range of employment opportunities due to the growing demand for healthcare services (Add link: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/296747/ca).
How does a Personal Support Worker certificate or program differ from other healthcare professions like nursing?
A Personal Support Worker certificate or program differs from nursing in scope and educational requirements. Personal Support Worker programs focus on providing personal care and support, while nursing involves more advanced clinical responsibilities and requires more extended education.
What are the key skills and qualities needed to succeed as a Personal Support Worker?
Review the Program Courses (Link to PSW page) section to learn more about the skills and qualities you will attain throughout the program.