1. Personal Support Worker Program Opens Door to Rewarding Career
Did you know that after attending a Personal Support Worker program professionals work with a wide
range of clients in their homes, hospitals, residential facilities or long-term care institutions and
community support agencies? Their role sees them assisting clients with activities of daily living, under the
supervision of professionals and according to a care plan. More specifically, those who successfully
complete Personal Support Worker courses care for individuals and/or families during periods of
incapacitation, convalescence or family disruption; plan and prepare meals according to special diets as
well as feed or assist clients in eating; offer bedside and personal care to clients that includes aid in
movement, bathing, personal hygiene, dressing and undressing; help with housekeeping duties; perform
routine health-related duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, administering medications and
collecting specimens under the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse; collaborate and
report observations to appropriate health care team members in an ongoing, timely manner and
document this information promptly; act within the personal support worker role, under supervision, and
by following care/service plans and established policies and procedures.
With the Ontario Network for Internationally Trained Professionals predicting a new emphasis on non-
institutional care, the demand for trained Personal Support Workers is increasing. At Centennial College's
Personal Support Worker program, students can obtain the training they need in just two semesters. Here
is everything you need to know about this Personal Support Worker program:
• After two semesters in the Personal Support Worker program, students graduate with an Ontario
College Certificate
• The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities as well as community agencies and clinical
settings recognize the Personal Support Worker program.
• Because the program only lasts two semesters, it offers an intense delivery pace in small-sized
classes that ensure students enjoy individualized attention from instructors.
• The Personal Support Worker program focuses on the full range of home and health related
services required by the elderly, clients with disabilities, chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment and
also clients recovering from acute illnesses.
• Specific Personal Support Worker program courses include: PSW Skills Laboratory, Supporting
Clients in Palliative Care, Personal and Professional Growth, Foundations of Personal Support,
Foundations of Mental Health and more.
• Fifteen weeks of the Personal Support Worker program in Canada are spent in an extensive
practical experience working with teams in hospitals, long-term care institutions and in the
community.
• Personal Support Worker program applicants are asked to have completed at minimum an Ontario
Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older.
• Applicants must also have finished the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or
equivalent and can prove English proficiency.
For more information visit Centennial College at
http://www.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Program=9111