PROGRAM CODE: PSWO

PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER – HYBRID with Online Live

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM • TOTAL HOURS: 680 • THEORY: 380 HOURS • EXTERNSHIP: 300 HOURS
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The objective of the Personal Support Worker Hybrid (PSWH) program is to provide students with satisfactory skills and competency in providing supportive care to individuals across the life span. This includes clients experiencing cognitive and intellectual impairments, physical and mental health challenges, and illnesses. Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings including community care agencies/organizations, retirement homes, private homes, residential care homes, longterm care homes and hospital care settings.

Students in this program will gain skills and knowledge in areas such as: personal support communication and records management, infection control & prevention, human body anatomy, chronic illness and disease, foundations of mental health, palliative care, First Aid/CPR & providing client care.

This program meets the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Personal Support Worker training standard and the training requirements established by the Ministry of LongTerm Care.

PROGRAM DELIVERY FORMAT

The Personal Support Worker Hybrid (PSWH) program is delivered using four methods that build on each other. This approach enables improved learning effectiveness, the highest flexibility, while ensuring the students have the competency to succeed in their field of study.

Online Livestream Sessions

Regularly scheduled, instructor led classes that can be accessed in real time from home.

Online Flexible Learning Activities

Self directed assignments designed to build on livestream sessions and develop topic knowledge using video, readings, exercises, quizzes, and independent projects to be completed during the week.

In-person Practical Labs

Regularly scheduled in campus sessions designed to build on the theory by simulating
real world experiential situations in preparation for a career.

Externship

A placement with an employer designed to bridge the gap between classroom and the work environment.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

PROGRAM PREREQUISITE

» Gr. 12 OSSD or Mature Student Status
» Successful Completion of entrance evaluation
» English Proficiency
» Admissions Interview
» Criminal Reference Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening
(Clear or have pardon prior to starting class; may have to re-do prior to placement)
» Medix Medical Check Form (completed within 30 days of program start date)

PROGRAM LENGTH

(27 WEEKS, 680 HOURS)
This program consists of 19 teaching weeks in total in which 9 learning modules are covered. The remaining 8 weeks will include an externship in a supervised workplace environment. This will consist of clinical, long term care, and community care environments.

EXTERNSHIP

(OFF-SITE – 300 HOURS)
As a mandatory component of the program, all students are required to complete an offsite externship placement. Placements occur at various locations throughout the College’s area. This essential module allows students to exercise the skills learned in class and clinic, learn specific applications and to further enhance their learning experience in the selected facilities.

ROLE OF THE PSW IN CLIENT CARE

The Personal Support Worker (PSW) is an integral part of today’s healthcare team. In this course, students will learn the foundations of providing safe, ethical, legal and professional care to clients and their families. Topics covered include the history of and current trends in Canada’s health care system, professionalism, ethics, advocacy, workplace settings, teamwork, conflict resolution, relevant legislation, as well as time and stress management.

PERSONAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT

This course introduces students to the foundations of interpersonal and interprofessional skills required to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients, their families, and members of the health care team. Students will apply the basics of therapeutic communications, complete documentation used in the clinical context, and apply critical thinking and decision making skills required within the PSW scope of practice, while maintaining the importance of confidentiality and privacy.

INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Students will examine Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) evidencebased practices and procedures that, when applied consistently in health care settings, can prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to health care providers, clients, patients, residents and visitors.

HUMAN BODY, CHRONIC ILLNESS AND DISEASE

Students develop a strong knowledge of biology as it applies to human health. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of structure and function within the human body. The anatomy and physiology of the organ systems and the interrelationship of the organ systems. Selected health disorders, as well as changes related to the aging and disease process, will be discussed in correlation with each organ system.

FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH

Students gain knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, acquired brain injuries and dementia and how these conditions affect a person’s ability to maintain an independent life style. Students will understand the responsibilities and considerations expected as a Personal Support Worker in working with clients in this area.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Students learn elements of palliative care which relate to longterm care facilities and home care settings. Students examine their personal feelings about loss, grief and death. Concepts such as spirituality, grieving, and bereavement are discussed. Pain and symptom management, complementary therapies, role of the funeral home, and death and dying issues are explored. The personal support worker as a member of an interdisciplinary team is stressed.

PROVIDING CLIENT CARE (THEORY)

This course will introduce students to the concepts and skills related to assisting with activities of daily living while creating and maintaining a helping relationship to different client needs and scenarios.

PROVIDING CLIENT CARE (LAB)

This course builds on the theory related to assisting with activities of daily living providing and provides students the opportunity to safely practice fundamental psychomotor skills and therapeutic communication skills needed to provide comfort and basic support for the client’s daily activities, such as grooming, bathing, feeding and transferring care.

FIRST AID/CPR

Students will learn the skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular, choking, airway and breathing emergencies. Students gain the skills needed to perform CPR and wound care to treat a variety of injuries. Upon completion of this course, students will acquire Standard First Aid/CPR level C certification.

EXTERNSHIP

This supervised practical experience course provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all theory and lab courses with individuals in a clinical, long term care environment and in a community care environment.

Have Any Other Questions? Visit Our Campus and Talk To An Admissions Representative.