Personal Support Worker

Full-Time (weekdays) and Part-Time (weekends) program

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PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:

The Personal Support Worker program was developed as part of the Ontario government’s plan to reform long-term care and support services which are provided to people in long-term care facilities or living at home in the community. It is a single training program that replaces and consolidates Health Care Aide and Home Support Worker (Levels I, II & III) training. This program standardizes training and provides a solid educational base for workers who provide long-term care and support services in both institutional and community settings.
Personal Support Workers assist with the tasks of daily living. Services are provided in homes and apartments in the community, in long-term facilities, congregate housing settings and day programs. Personal Support Workers must develop a broad range of abilities beyond dexterity skills. They must provide not only for the comfort, safety and well-being of their clients, but also demonstrate sensitivity and respect for those in their care. The attitude, abilities and approach of the worker are critical to the well-being and health of the people they support.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Individuality of the Person – 15 Hours

• Respect consumer/client rights
• Family relationship building
• Recognize legislated sources of rights
• Concepts of interdependence and independence
• Culturally shaped values

Role of the Personal Support Worker – 18 Hours

• PSW work under supervision
• Work in a variety of settings
• Workplace legislation
• Work in a responsible manner
• Safe and effective support
• Time management
• Stress management
• Confidentiality

Interpersonal Skills – 22 Hours

• Establish and maintain supportive relationships with clients and their families
• Demonstrate empathy, respect, encouragement and clarity in communication
• Demonstrate ability to read, write and speak in English

Safety – 9 Hours

• Promote a safe environment
• Prevent and minimize accidents
• Care for equipment
• Safe handling and storage of hazardous products
• Occupational health and safety legislation
• Complete incident reports
• Universal precautions

Assisting a Person with Mobility – 18 Hours

• Routine activities of living
• Review musculoskeletal system
• Identify, use and care for adaptive devices
• Identify and demonstrate good body mechanics
• Identify prosthetic devices
• Assist with ambulation
• Active range of motion exercises

Abuse – 9 Hours

• Identify issues of power and control
• Signs of abuse and reporting of findings
• Ethical and legal obligations of reporting

Household Management & Meal Preparation – 18 Hours

• Client and family needs
• Assist with household duties and management
• Meal planning
• Canada’s food guide

Assisting with Personal Hygiene – 18 Hours

• Structure, function, skin, ageing and common conditions relating to skin care
• Provide appropriate assistance to meet individual needs

Assisting the Family – 18 Hours

• Assist caregivers and clients in accepting assistance
• Respite services and their acceptance
• The role and supervision of PSW
• Routine child/infant care

Cognitive Impairment & Mental Health Issues – 35 Hours

• Recognize changes in behavior which may be related to psychiatric illness
• Cognitive impairment

Assisting to Manage Ongoing Conditions – 33 Hours

• Assist with routine activities of living
• Recognize activities that require additional training
• Review of anatomy

Assisting with Medications – 12 Hours

• Responsibilities of the caregiver, regulated health professional, supervisor, family, case manager
• Therapy as well as assuring the PSW’s ability to assist the client
• The PSW role in medications
• Medications and expected outcomes

Assisting a Person who is dying – 22 Hours

• Reactions to life-threatening illness, dying/palliation
• Impact on the family of life-threatening conditions
• Support and care plan

Testing/Labs – 10 Hours

• Testing throughout training course

Clinical Practicum – 180 Hours (Supervised), 175 Hours (Precepted).In the Personal Support Worker program, students spend a reasonable number of hours in a practical placement. The practicum is provided in a medical facility or in the homes of clients. It gives students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through experiential earning under the supervision of a clinical instructor or nurse manager.