Personal Support Worker Program Offers Variety of Career Options
Did you know that according to the Ontario Network for Internationally Trained Professionals, in the course of remaking the health care system in Canada, Personal Support Workers are reported to be in growing demand? If you're interested in working under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse in a health care facility and home care settings then attending a Personal Support Worker program may be for you.
But what exactly do Personal Support Workers do? First and foremost, they work with a very wide range of clients who include: the elderly, clients with disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment and also clients recovering from acute illnesses. They may work with these people in a variety of settings such as their homes, residential facilities or long-term care institutions and community support agencies, assisting with activities of daily living, under the supervision of professionals and according to a care plan. Depending on the setting, Personal Support Workers may perform any of the following tasks: support the client’s personal and home management care requirements and preferences by following care service plans and established policies and procedures; collaborate and report observations to appropriate health care team members in an ongoing, timely manner and document this information promptly; demonstrate effective oral, written and nonverbal communication techniques; and assist in the promotion and maintenance of a safe and caring environment for clients, their families, self and others; and more.
This Personal Support Worker program emphasizes the full range of home- and health-related services required by a variety of clients. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, as well as community agencies and clinical settings, recognize the certificate students earn. In addition, the training reflects the latest practices and policies in the field.
Leading small group instruction in clinical and laboratory settings are Personal Support Worker instructors who are experienced, caring and supportive. These instructors guide students through Personal Support Worker courses such as Anatomy, Foundations of Personal Support, Developmental Stages & Alterations in Health, Personal Support Communication, Foundations of Mental Health, Supporting Clients in Palliative Care and more. It should be noted, however, that students in the Personal Support Worker Program spend more than half of the total program hours in a field placement working with teams in long-term care institutions, the community and at in-home settings. This field placement allows them to apply what they have learned in-school, network and absorb knowledge from practicing professionals.
If you're interested in applying for the Personal Support Worker program, you must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, you are required to have finished the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and can prove English proficiency.
