DUTIES OF A PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER

A PSW provides support to people who need assistance in daily needs because of injury, illness or aging. PSWs give patients important social and emotional support and also provide assistance to patients with daily living tasks, help in day-to-day activities such as bed making, cleaning and washing. Most PSWs agree that it is one of the most rewarding challenges that a person in the healthcare industry can undertake.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

You are to complete 400 hours of in-school theory. Topics covered in the program will be:

• PSW Foundations

• Safety and Mobility

• Body Systems

• Assisting with Personal Hygiene

• Abuse and Neglect

• Household Management, Nutrition & Hydration

• Palliative Care

• Assisting with Medications

• Cognitive and Mental Problems

• Health Conditions

• Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care

You will have hands on experience using your knowledge from the theory and skills learned in the classroom during the next part of your program. A clinical instructor will be with the students for 200 hours of supervised clinical placement in both long term care facility. Students must then complete 100 hours of unsupervised clinical placement in a community facility setting.

After completion of all requirements, you will be able to take the PSW Final Certification Exam given by the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates of Personal Support Worker program can pursue a fulfilling profession in the subsequent areas:

• Hospitals

• Agencies

• Senior Citizens Recreation Centres

• Long Term Care Facilities

• Board of Education – Special Education

• Respite and Palliative Care Centers

• Private Home Care