Key Facts

Credential Awarded

Credential Awarded:

Certificate

Delivery

Delivery:

1 Year (2 terms)

Campus

Campus:

Toronto

Program Start

Program Start:

TBA

Program Code

Program Code:

P5942

Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees:

Per academic year (2 terms) estimate*

Overview

Are you dedicated to enhancing the well-being of others?

As a Personal Support Worker, you are an empathic healthcare professional, playing a critical role in helping clients address physical and psychosocial obstacles across various life stages.

Highlights

  • Experience an exceptional interprofessional educational journey intended to enhance cooperation within a healthcare team.
  • Acquire practical insights through 42 hours of immersive engagement at cutting-edge laboratory facilities, coupled with over 200 hours of clinical placement spanning community and long-term care settings.
  • Acquire the skills needed to execute a plan of care guided by dignity and respect for a variety of personal and cultural beliefs, values, and other lifestyle choices.
  • Apply evidence-based best practices and supportive techniques to client care, encouraging positivity and safety.

Career Opportunities

  • Acute-care hospital
  • Adult day program
  • Group home
  • Home-care agency
  • Hospice/palliative care service
  • Long-term care facility
  • Seniors residence

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):

  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)

*Please check country-specific program requirements as graduation diploma may not be applicable and only transcripts are required.

Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Program Requirements

Government Mandates

All students who participate in clinical placements are, without exception, required to meet the expectations mandated by the Ontario Hospitals Act and the Ontario Long Term Care Homes Act. These non-academic requirements include: Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen and the Confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS). Detailed requirements are below.

All requirements must be met and remain current for the student’s duration of the program subject to the Placement Agency’s requirements. If any documentation expires before the end of the term and the student’s last day of clinical placement, the student will not be able to register for that term’s clinical course or its co-requisites.

Criminal Record Check

  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required by the start of week 12 of Term 1.
  • Students with criminal charges or convictions will be severely limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.
  • The CRC-VSS must be provided to the Placement Agency on the first day of the clinical placement, or as required by the Placement Agency. Niagara College – Toronto does not adjudicate the CRC-VSS, but merely facilitates the paperwork. It is the Placement Agency that adjudicates the clearance.

Communicable Disease Surveillance

  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program or prior to the term which includes field placement, co-op, or clinical opportunities.
  • This process must be maintained annually.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.

First Aid and CPR

  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
  • CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.
  • During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the First Aid and CPR requirement. Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Standard First Aid and CPR at Level HCP/BLS. (This program is designed for those with specific healthcare responsibilities).

Student Dress Code

  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.

Transportation

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.

Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10-based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College – Toronto will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high-performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

 All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Program Start

  International Applicants

Intake Status
TBA Closed
LEGEND

Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

Scholarships and Awards

International Applicants

Entrance scholarships and awards are available to International applicants and students.

Apply for International Scholarships

Learning Outcomes

  • Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies, procedures and guidelines.
  • Practice professionally, and be accountable for one’s own actions by applying problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as a member of a team.
  • Practice as an engaged member of the interprofessional team to maintain collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, responsive and competent client-centred care within care settings.
  • Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows the plan of care.
  • Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting, and respectful partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies, confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
  • Identify relevant client information within the roles and responsibilities of the personal support worker using observation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills to report and document findings.
  • Create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others by implementing current infection prevention and control measures, emergency and first aid procedures, and best practices in pandemic planning that are in keeping with the plan of care, all applicable legislation, and employer policies and procedures.
  • Assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts, common alterations in functioning, health promotion, disease prevention rehabilitation and restorative care, and holistic health care.
  • Assist the client with medication following the client’s plan of care, and if a delegated act, under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer policies.
  • Assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort, safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
  • Assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
  • Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse, and/or neglect, as required by all applicable legislation, including the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and as required within the employers' job description for the personal support workers.
  • Assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and to their families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care.
  • Provide client-centered and client-directed care to individuals experiencing various mental health illnesses and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments, and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.

Professional Certifications

Graduate with 2 additional certificates:

  • Managing Food Safety certificate, offering unique culinary curriculum focused on food preparation; and
  • Gentle Persuasive Approach certificate focused on caring for individuals with dementia and other cognitive diseases.

Field Placement

Participate in Term two clinical placement at a long-term-care facility. Work under the supervision of a Clinical Supervisor and in cooperation with a Staff Partner to put the skills and knowledge learned in Term One into practice. Deliver care to clients needing 24-hour nursing assistance, supervision, and extensive personal care and support within a secure environment.

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