The Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate program provides graduates with an entryway into the growing Canadian healthcare industry which is experiencing unprecedented government investment, including previously announced a temporary wage increase and a $5,000 Return of Service incentive for PSWs that commit to 6 months in a Long Term Care facility or In-Home Care and Community Care agency.
Career Opportunities
As a PSW, there is flexibility when it comes to choosing your path in the industry. Although a majority of these professionals work for private and not-for-profit home care agencies, others are employed by nursing homes and hospitals. There is also the option to be your own boss and work self-employed.
Employers Who Have Hired triOS Grads
Paramed Home Health Care
Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario
Home Instead Senior Care
Revera Home Health
Von Canada
Chartwell Retirement Residence
Canadian Red Cross
Responsive Group
*Note that some career options may require advanced degrees, further training or experience.
Salary
98%
Employment Rate*
$20
Average Wage/HR**
$27
High Wage/HR**
*Employment Rate based on 2019 contactable triOS graduates employed in a related field.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 4412, 3413 - **Wage data based on NOC Code 3413 and rounded down to the nearest dollar. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in May, 2021.
Program Details
Do you want to start your career in the growing healthcare industry? Are you passionate about helping people care for their emotional and physical well-being? If so, the Personal Support Worker program at triOS College will set you up for a successful future.
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) provides assistance in routine living activities such as: mobility, personal care and hygiene, ongoing medical conditions, and the management of household activities. As a trained PSW, you may look after patients in a home, hospital, and/or long-term care facility.
The Personal Support Worker program delivers strong administrative and clinical skills and knowledge, the skills necessary to implement theories on topics such as cognitive and mental health issues and brain injuries, and the know-how to assist with patients’ medications. The completion of the in-class courses is followed by a 12-week clinical placement where you’ll get hands-on experience in the field.
Students enrolled in this program will receive:
Clinical work placement in a community and long-term care facility.
National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) curriculum that maps to the Ontario provincial-approved training standard.
Classrooms that simulate real-world healthcare setting, including hospital beds, wheelchairs and other required equipment.
Software subscriptions for Microsoft Office and Windows included in the tuition fee.
CPR (HCP–Healthcare Provider Level / BLS-Basic Life Support)/First Aid
In this module, you will create and refine your résumé and LinkedIn Profile. You will write cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-play. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.
Abuse and Neglect
This module introduces students to the concepts of violence and abuse, including its possible signs, and the appropriate actions and 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 client and, abuse of the worker. PSW will learn to recognize both indicators and causes, and the requirements of legislation, employer policy, and provisions of the service contract or support plan.
Body Systems
This module will introduce the student to the basics of anatomy and physiology. Students will gain an understanding of human body systems in order to apply that knowledge in their daily work as a Personal Support Worker. These body systems are the musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, integumentary, reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine. Common disorders and age-related changes for each body system will also be covered.
Care Planning, Restorative Care, Documentation, Working in the Community
This module identifies the support provided through the care plan or service contract to the client to relearn or regain routine abilities. They will understand its significance, and the rights of the client as a receiver of support and the purpose, methods, and persons involved in its creation. Student will also be introduced to working in the community health care environment, providing support to patients and families in communities, conducted in accordance with employer guidelines.
Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries
This module introduces students to common psychiatric conditions such as affective disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, cognitive impairment, and brain injury. The possibility of multiple conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression will be discussed along with the role of the family caregiver and the importance of observation, documentation, and reporting in order to recognize changes in behaviour that can be related to psychiatric conditions or an increased risk of suicide.
CPR & First Aid
Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the Standard Level First Aid and Healthcare Provider (BLS-Basic Life Support) Level CPR. Participants are guided to fully understand responsive behaviours in order to be able to respond effectively and appropriately in a workplace setting. Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the Standard Level First Aid and Healthcare Provider (BLS-Basic Life Support) Level CPR.
Assisting the Dying Person
In this module students learn about hospice, palliative and end-of-life care, the integration of a palliative approach to care, ways of being, communication and practical strategies to provide psychosocial support and physical comfort care for both the person and their family. This module addresses provincial palliative care competencies (2018-2020) including competencies for caring for First Nation, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous peoples.
Assisting the Family, Growth and Development
Students learn to understand family characteristics in terms of structure, functions, roles, lifestyles and relationships. The influence of cultural values, practices, religious beliefs as well as the effects of illness, stress, and disability on family relationships will be emphasized as central to the PSW’s ability to provide effective support. This module also explores the stages of growth and development throughout the life cycle and the role of the PSW in providing respite to families.
PSW Foundations
The introductory module provides an overview of the scope of responsibilities of PSWs in a variety of settings. Students will learn about client-centered versus client-directed care; and emphasizing the individuality of the client and his/her relationship with family, friends and others. Key topics include work relationships, stress and time management, interpersonal skills and communications, including conflict resolution and problem solving, and applicable legislation.
Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care
Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) is a multi-disciplinary program designed for everyone who interacts with older adults in the workplace. Participants are guided to fully understand responsive behaviors in order to be able to respond effectively and appropriately in a workplace setting.
Health Conditions
Students are introduced to ongoing conditions and basic concepts of assistance, as well as the general effects on the person of common disabilities, conditions and diseases. Students will gain skill in the necessary techniques while focusing on the importance of providing support safely, effectively and comfortably. Concepts of maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration are discussed, as is the importance of the support team in providing assistance and training of these additional skills.
Assisting with Personal Hygiene
PSW’s assist clients with all activities or routines of daily living. Students will learn how to care for the ill, disabled, injured and/or confused client. Frailness, dignity and levels of dependence will be considered. Personal hygiene includes oral care, perineal care, bathing, grooming, dressing, bed making, shaving, hair care, and skin care. It includes mobility considerations and involves personal safety, self-esteem and dignity. The foundation of this module is humanistic health care.
Clinical Placement (Facility)
Clinical placement provides students with an opportunity to practice their new skills in a work setting. Students gain experience in a wider range of PSW skills, become more self-confidant, and may receive offers of employment from the placement site. They spend time working in a facility setting for 100 hours under the supervision of their instructor and under a preceptor provided by the host site for 100 hours. The instructor will be available by phone and email during the placement.
Clinical Placement (Community)
Clinical placement provides students with an opportunity to practice their new skills in a work setting. While on placement, students gain experience in a wider range of PSW skills, become more self-confidant, and may receive offers of employment from the placement site. In this module the students will spend time working in a community setting under the supervision of a preceptor provided by the host site. The instructor will be available by phone and email at all times.
Assisting with Medications
Within the PSW scope of practice, students learn about medication administration versus assistance. They gain basic knowledge of the drugs used in the treatment of common diseases and disorders including use, classification, effects, and routes of administration. They identify purposes, required instruction, and cautions; and the importance of observation for both desired and undesired outcomes, as well as the procedures to be followed in the event of a concern or problem with medications.
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
This module the students will learn to assist clients with their nutritional needs, household activities and household management according to client preferences, comfort, safety, within employer guidelines.
Nutritional needs including planned balanced nutrition, menus, preparation of 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.
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
Students will learn to assist the client with their nutritional needs, household activities, and household management according to client preferences, comfort and safety within employer guidelines as required.
Nutritional needs include planning balanced menus, preparing shopping lists and shopping, safe handling of food, and storage and specific cooking techniques. The special dietary needs of certain clients and their cultural and religious preferences will all be addressed.
NACC PSW Exam
In this module, students are prepared for writing the final NACC exam, through a comprehensive review of the two sets of Final Exam Evolve Questions, (approximately 319 questions). After the review session, they write the final NACC exam. Students must pass this final exam in order to work as a Personal Support Worker in the field.
Safety and Mobility
The second module covers safety as it relates to both the client and the worker. One of the fundamental activities of the PSW is that of assisting the client with routine activities of living. Students will learn about risks of unsafe equipment or settings and appropriate actions to take when unsafe situations are identified. Topics include infection control methods, body mechanics, and transferring and lifting techniques using equipment to increase safety and reduce client anxiety.
Student Success Strategies
This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. The course will address strategies that are important for all adult learners, such as managing finances, maintaining health and wellness, understanding learning styles, setting goals, and honing practical study skills (such as memory, reading, and test-taking techniques). In addition, this course emphasizes strategies needed to succeed in your program, such as navigating technology efficiently, interacting and engaging with peers and facilitators/instructors, and managing learning time and space.
Admission Requirements
– High school graduation diploma, or Mature Student Status (for more information please refer to the Program Outline at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant)
– Clear Police Check including a Vulnerable Sector check
– Up-to-date medical certificate indicating current immunization and free from communicable diseases
– Completion of a Technical Literacy Examination to determine fluency in English. English Language Proficiency must be demonstrated through one of the following options:
1. NACC Technical Literacy Exam (passing score of 18)
OR
2. IELTS – International English Language Testing
OR
3. TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Internet based test (iBT)
Career Quiz
Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!
Going into the program, I really didn’t have any expectations. I had no idea that we would be sitting in essentially a virtual classroom. I didn’t know that we would have an actual live teacher. I am grateful that they decided to have an actual teacher. It made my experience much more like a classroom than an individual isolated learning experience
Sean R.
Graduate
Success Stories
The Personal Support Worker program helped equip me for a successful career in my field. The combination of in-class practice and theory helped me to develop a deep understanding of not only how to be a PSW, but a great PSW. I am thankful that trios college has a comfortable, engaging, accepting, patient, and supportive environment and staff.
