Personal Support Worker Diploma
Program Length: 24 weeks
Admission Requirements |
Career Opportunities |
Modules |
Placement Facilities
Are you a caring individual who likes to help others?
Would you enjoy working at a career that makes you feel good about yourself
at the end of the day?
Is your career goal to work with people in the Health Care Field?
If you’ve answered yes to these questions, this is the right career for
you. Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) help people with everyday activities
such as grooming, dressing, and other household tasks.
There's a huge shortage of Personal Support Worker in Canada, and you can help
fill the demand. Start now by getting the training you need to become a Personal
Support Worker. This Program was developed as part of the Ontario government's
plan to reform long-term care and support services which are provided to people
in long-term care facilities or living at home in the community.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent); or Mature Student (19 years of age or older and out of school for 1 year or more)
- Criminal record check;
- Pre-admission testing (sentence skills, reading comprehension and a writing sample);
- Students will be required to complete Standard First Aid and Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate;
these courses may be taken prior to starting the program or concurrent with the program;
- Immunization record;
- Hepatitis B vaccine.
You'll work as a Personal Support Worker in:
- long-term care facilities
- group homes
- community agencies
- hospitals
- schools
- day care centres (children or adults)
- home care agencies
- hospices
- home care agencies
Individuality Of The Person - (15 Hrs)
The work of the personal support worker and the personal attendant is based
upon the individuality of the consumer/client and her/his relationship with
family, friends and others. Central to the personal support worker and the personal
attendant's work is the importance of the consumer's/client's involvement in
directing the assistance required, to the extent that the person wishes and
is able to do so. This module introduces students to the concept of individuality
of all persons, their experiences, rights, interests and needs. Students will
be given the opportunity to identify and examine their own beliefs, values and
attitudes about aging, disability, independence and interdependence.
Role Of The Worker - (18 Hrs)
In this module, students will be introduced to the role and scope of practice
of workers, providing support to consumers/clients and families in individual
homes and long term care facilities. The variety of settings, work relationships,
level of supervision, the need to adapt to varying settings as well as, time
and stress management will be covered Legislation related to the worker, the
work setting and consumer/client rights will be discussed. Finally the student
must recognize that they cannot be all things to all people and the consumer/client
must not be exposed to unsafe practice. This module clearly outlines the scope
of the personal support worker/personal attendant's role, including consequences
for exceeding that scope. Students will be introduced to the Regulated Health
Professions Act. The steps to be taken when the worker has concerns in these
areas will be discussed.
Interpersonal Skills - (18 Hrs)
Understanding the messages of others and expressing oneself so as to be understood
by others is central to the personal support workers/personal attendant's ability
to function. Using these skills to develop and enhance a positive supportive
relationship is central to the personal support workers/personal attendant's
ability to function well.
This module introduces students to the importance of communication and interpersonal
skills essential to establishing and maintaining effective relationships with
consumer/clients, The components of messages, the ways in which they are given,
and factors affecting communication are discussed. Problems solving and conflict
resolution skills will be presented. Students will be provided with the opportunity
to practice these skills. Use of written materials, including documentation,
will be covered.
Safety - (9 Hrs)
This module deals with aspects of safety as they relate to both the consumer/client
and the worker. One of the fundamental activities of the personal support worker/personal
attendant is assisting the consumer/client with routine activities of living.
It is essential that the personal support worker/personal attendant provide
assistance in a manner which is effective, safe, and provides for the consumer's/client's
comfort. As part of this, the personal support worker/personal attendant must
be aware of potential risks posed by unsafe equipment or settings, and the appropriate
actions to take in unsafe situations. Infection control methods will be taught
as infections can cause distress for both the consumer/client and the worker.
Assist Persons With Mobility - (18 Hrs)
The personal support worker/personal attendant practices good body mechanics
in many aspects of the work she/he performs to ensure safety and comfort for
her/himself and the consumer/client. It is recognized that workers in this field
are at risk for developing back injuries from improper use of body mechanics.
Consistency in transferring, lifting techniques and the use of equipment increases
safety and reduces consumer/client anxiety, confusion and dependency. This module
also discusses promoting proper positioning in a bed or chair for the comfort
and safety of the consumer/client. Personal support workers/personal attendants
have the appropriate knowledge, skill and attitude to assist the consumer/client
with routine activities of living. They recognize the importance of providing
assistance, which supports the consumer/client's sense of self-determination
and well being in such a way that the consumer/client feels well served by their
actions.
Abuse (9 Hrs)
Family violence (incorporating child, spousal, and elder abuse) is a significant
aspect of current society. As well, research indicates an increased awareness
among support workers of abusive behaviour toward consumer/clients. This module
introduces students to the concepts of family violence and abuse, including
its possible signs, as well as appropriate actions to be taken (including legal
requirements) if abuse is suspected. Personal beliefs and attitudes about family
violence and abuse are examined, as is the concept of worker abuse of the consumer/client.
Finally, abuse of the worker is discussed. Personal support workers and personal
attendants identify the concept of abuse and are able to recognize both causes
and indicators. They are able to identify the requirements of legislation and
to respond in accordance with legislation, employer policy and provisions of
the service contract or support plan. They recognize the personal support workers/personal
attendants may also be the focus of abuse.
Household Management and Meal Preparation (18 Hrs)
In this module, students will learn to assist the consumer/client with their
nutritional needs, household activities and household management according to
consumer/client preferences, comfort and safety, within employer guidelines
as required. Nutritional needs include planning balanced nutritious menus, preparing
shopping lists, shopping, safe handling of food, storage and specific cooking
techniques. Special dietary needs of infants, pregnant and nursing mothers,
persons with specific conditions (diabetes, feeding tubes, etc.) as well as
persons with specific cultural and religious preferences will be addressed.
Students will have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate skills in a lab
environment.
Providing Optimal Support/Care Planning (12 Hrs)
Support of various types is the main function of the personal support worker.
Yet, support is more than providing help, it relies on a number of factors,
not the least of which are skill and sensitivity. Optimal support refers to
the ability to provide sufficient support to assist clients to do what they
wish without inhibiting them. This module builds on the materials presented
in the introductory module “Interpersonal Skills”. It identifies the support
to be provided and the significance of the support (and of the need for the
support) to the client. Supporting the client to relearn/regain routine abilities
and issues of the rights of the client as a receiver of support will be presented.
The support/care plan or service contract is the framework within which the
worker provides support to the consumer/client. The worker must know the purpose
of planning, the ways in which planning is done and the persons (consumer/client,
support workers, caregivers and professionals) who are involved. Personal support
workers will learn about implementing parts of the plan and communicating information
accurately and without judgment, as members of the support team. These activities
are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the employers (agency or
consumer/client).
Assisting with Personal Hygiene (18 Hrs)
The personal support worker (PSW) is required to have knowledge, skill and sensitivity
to provide appropriate assistance to another person, since a significant number
of clients have disabilities that affect their ability to look after their personal
hygiene. Sufficient knowledge about the structure, function, aging changes and
common conditions of the skin is covered in this module to enable the PSW to
understand why specific personal hygiene methods are recommended. The necessity
of a positive attitude and sound interpersonal skills when working with clients
experiencing a disability is discussed. The importance of supporting the client's
control over their own personal hygiene to the extent possible/desired is also
covered, as is the need to respect the client's right to make choices as to
how they wish assistance to be given. Throughout the module, sensitivity and
respect for the client's dignity and privacy while providing assistance is stressed.
Assisting the Family (12 Hrs)
This module assist students understand the characteristics of today's families
in terms of structure, functions, roles, lifestyles and relationships. An understanding
of the influence of cultural values, practices, religious beliefs as well as
the effects of illness, stress, disability on family relationships will be emphasized
as central to the PSW's ability to provide effective support. This module also
explores the PSW's role in providing respite to and assisting families/significant
others and their children, including those with special needs.
Cognitive Impairment and Mental Health Issues (31 Hrs)
Personal support workers recognize that behaviours or changes in behaviour can
be related to illness or other conditions, such as cognitive impairment, substance
abuse or mental illness. They identify factors, which can increase the risk
of suicide and recognize signs of possible suicidal behaviour. They use approaches
and techniques to assist consumers/clients with these changes or conditions
in keeping with the care/support plan and report observations to the appropriate
team member.
This module will introduce the student to common psychiatric conditions (affective
disorders and schizophrenia), substance abuse and cognitive impairment. The
possibility of multiple conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression
will be discussed. The role of the family caregiver will be reviewed (Module:
Assisting the Family), as well as the importance of observation, documentation
and reporting (Module: Interpersonal Skills).
Assisting a Person to Managing Ongoing Conditions (33 Hrs)
This module introduces the student to basic concepts of assistance as well as
the general effects on the person of common disabilities, ongoing conditions
and diseases. Focusing on the importance of providing support safety, effectively
and comfortable, the student has the opportunity to gain skills in necessary
techniques. Concepts of maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration are discussed,
as is the importance of the support team in providing assistance.
Assisting a Person with Medication (12 Hrs)
The Personal Support Worker's (PSW) ability to assist a client with medication
may be essential in supporting the client's independence, or in supporting a
family caregiver to attend to tasks or take needed respite. Student will identify
purposes of medication, required instruction/information about medications to
be administered, and cautions with regard to medications. You will develop and
demonstrate skill in reading and interpreting information in prescription containers,
and demonstrate assistance with oral/topical medications as well as eye, ear,
and nose drops. The importance of observation for both desired and undesired
outcomes will be described. Finally, procedure to be followed in the event of
concern about, or problems with medications will be discussed.
Assisting a Person Who Is Dying (12 Hrs)
This module allows students to discuss the concept of dying as a part of life
and the possible impact of lifethreatening illness on the person and their family.
Assisting the dying person to maintain a desired lifestyle and respecting her/his
right to make decisions with regard to support are also discussed. Specific
approaches within the scope of the support worker to reduce discomfort or pain
(within the context of a plan of support or care) are covered. Care of the person
at the time of death, care of the body after death, as well as any procedures,
which must be followed, are discussed.
355 hours in long-term care facilities and community environments.
