A PSW course will provide you with the training you need to work in the health care field in under a year. Here is a list of schools and colleges that offer personal support worker (psw) courses in your area.
Becoming a professional caregiver will provide you with a rewarding and gratifying career as well more employment opportunities as job prospects for personal support workers are very good. Many Canadians are now above the age of 65 and living longer and wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. With more people working outside the home and unable to care for family members who require assistance, has led to more job openings for PSWs.
What is a Personal Support Worker?
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) is an incredible individual who helps those who need it most. A PSW provides services and care to patients in hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, group homes, assisted living care homes and in client’s homes. Services to these clients may be temporary or on a continuing basis, depending on the need. The Personal Support Worker profession is unique in that a PSW’s duties do not go beyond what clients could do for themselves if they were physically able.
READ MORE >>
The term Personal Support Worker or PSW is a commonly used generic title however; there are many other titles that are also used for someone performing similar duties such as:
- Health Care Aide
- Supportive Care Assistant
- Personal Attendant
- Home Support Worker
- Visiting Homemaker
- Respite Care Worker
- Patient Services Associate
- Palliative Care Worker
What does a Personal Support Worker do?
PSWs care for clients/patients during periods of incapacitation or convalescence. They also assist with activities of daily living and performing clinical care services. This may include:
- Assisting with personal care such as bathing, feeding and dressing
- Assisting with mobilization of patient and positioning
- Assisting with range of motion exercises
- Assisting with menu planning grocery shopping, meal preparation and feeding
- Assisting with patient transport to appointments
- Administering medications
- Assisting with oxygen therapy
- Changing dressings
- Specimen collection for medical tests
- Clinical care services such as taking a client’s temperature and blood pressure
- Light housekeeping such as making beds, washing dishes or laundry
- Demonstrating infant care to new parents
- Observing, documenting and reporting clinical and treatment finding and changes
- Maintaining records and documenting procedures
These are just a few of the things PSW’s do that make them heroes in our community.
Skills and Abilities Needed to Become a Personal Support Worker
Attending a college and enrolling in PSW training will give you the practical skills you require. In addition, you should also possess the following:
- Excellent communication and listening skills
- The ability to work independently
- A compassionate, patient and caring nature
- Must be physically able to handle the demands of care giving
- Must be passionate and fully committed to ensuring superior patient care
How to Become a Personal Support Worker
There are a number of schools that offer PSW courses which can be completed in under a year. Personal Support Workers are not required to be licensed, but almost all employers require candidates who have taken PSW training through Community Colleges or Registered Private Career Colleges.
A PSW course at a career college will provide practical skills training along with communication, patient care and support techniques. Students learn the musculoskeletal system, practice proper body mechanics and learn to transfer clients who may or may not be ambulance dependent. Students also learn about various techniques relating to those with cognitive and mental disabilities.
College programs may differ in program length and course curricula, however all PSW programs must offer theoretical and clinical components as well as work practicums.
Personal Support Worker Courses in Ontario
- triOS College - Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, Scarborough, Toronto, Windsor
- Medix College - Brampton, Scarborough, Toronto
- Westervelt College - Brantford, Kitchener, London
- CTS Canadian Career College - North Bay, Sault St. Marie, Sudbury
- CDI College - Mississauga, North York, Scarborough
- Oxford College - Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Mississauga, Peterborough, Scarborough, Toronto
- Evergreen College - Brampton
- Algonquin Careers Academy - Mississauga, Ottawa,
- Edge Academy - Burlington
- Willis College - Ottawa
- Sheridan College - Mississauga, Oakville
- Herzing College - Ottawa, Toronto
Personal Support Worker Courses in New Brunswick
| Salary & Job Outlook Ontario |
Salary & Job Outlook - New Brunswick |
| Median Pay |
$18.04/hour |
Median Pay |
$13.65/hour |
| Job Outlook |
Good |
Job Outlook |
Good |
Where do Personal Support Workers work?
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Assisted Living facilities
- Group Homes
- Private homes
<< SHOW LESS Personal Support Worker Programs in Canada
