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Certificate in Personal Support Worker
Certificate in Personal Support Worker

Certificate in Personal Support Worker

  • ID:CC010026
  • Level:1-Year Post-Secondary Certificate
  • Duration:
  • Intake:

Fees (CAD)

Estimated Total/program:
Apply
60
Accept letter
100
Visa
20
Fly
1

Admission Requirements

Entry requirements:

English requirements:

If English is not your first language or you've received your education in a language other than English, students must produce evidence of their English Language Proficiency:

  • Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL: 80
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test English): 53-57

Other requirements:

  • Applicants are strongly advised to ensure that they have a clear Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) if considering this program. Access to work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences requires a clear VSS, and students will not be allowed to complete the program without successful completion of practicum WIL.
  • Mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL) health and safety requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical WIL experiences. Successful WIL completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical WIL learning experiences, students must present the following at the start of the program in accordance with pre-admission information provided by the College:
    • A complete immunization record including MMR, polio, Tdap, varicella, and hepatitis B. Seasonal flu vaccination is required during flu season (October - March).
    • TB Testing: Evidence of current 2-step or previous 2-step + current 1-step if more than one year has passed since 2-step testing.
    • Standard First Aid and CPR - HCP or BLS level (must be completed in Canada)
    • An annual Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to be completed in Canada. Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in WIL experiences which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for WIL is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of WIL start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
  • Students are responsible for costs associated with respirator fit testing required for WIL experiences.
  • Travel within the program: Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from learning settings external to the College and for covering any costs incurred.
  • Applicants are advised that accessibility to a car is required for WIL experiences in the home-care setting.
  • Applicants must have a strong desire to work with older adults and/or clients with disabilities and/or long-term health problems.
  • Applicants are advised that good oral and written communication skills are essential for the program.
  • Applicants are advised that a latex-free environment in the College or clinical setting is not guaranteed.
  • Attendance in classroom skills lab and WIL experiences is essential.

Course Information

About the Program

As a member of an interprofessional health-care team, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) provides supportive person-centered care across the lifespan to individuals and families, at various levels of health and wellbeing, in a variety of care environments including: long-term, community and/or hospital care settings. Conestoga's PSW program prepares students to become preferred graduates for the profession; one that truly makes a difference in the lives of others.
Students will progress from beginning engagement to an entry-to-practice prepared professional PSW; one who participates in the delivery of care as directed by the plan of care/service plan with activities of daily living, comprising personal care, home management and nutrition and family responsibilities. Throughout the program, students learn how to promote a comfortable and safe environment for all clients including those experiencing responsive behaviours, risk for injury and/or clients requiring end-of-life care. Provincially recognized certificates related to these areas of learning will be received.
Experiential learning, which is central to Conestoga's program, is integrated throughout to support student application of knowledge, skills and judgment. Students have the opportunity to study in the state-of-the art, technology-enhanced Cowan Health Sciences Centre (Doon - Kitchener) or in one of two Living Classrooms (Schlegel Village of Riverside Glen - Guelph and Schlegel Village at University Gates - Waterloo).
The Living Classroom is an innovative curriculum delivery model, combining classroom and real-life experiences for students to build increased knowledge and confidence working with older clients and care teams obtained by immediate integration of learning in long-term care and retirement living environments.

Program Outcomes

  • Work within the personal support worker role in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer's job description, policies, procedures and guidelines.

  • Act responsibly and be accountable for own actions while recognizing the boundaries of knowledge and skills within the personal support worker role that require collaboration with the clients, families, supervisors and/or other members of the interprofessional care/service team.

  • Participate as a member of the interprofessional care/service team and maintain collaborative working relationships in the provision of supportive care in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings.

  • Provide client-centred and client-directed care that is based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse client and family values, beliefs and needs, and which follows the direction of the plan of care/service plan.

  • Establish and maintain helping relationships with clients and their families reflecting open communication, professional boundaries, employer's policies and adhering to confidentiality and privacy legislation.

  • Identify relevant client information using basic assessment and communication skills and report and document findings in accordance with the requirements of employer policies and procedures and all applicable legislation.

  • Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others including the implementation of infection prevention and control measures and emergency first aid procedures that are in keeping with the plan of care/service plan, employer policies and procedures, and all applicable legislation.

  • Assist clients across the lifespan with routine activities of daily living by applying basic knowledge of growth and development, common alterations in functioning, disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, rehabilitation and restorative care.

  • Assist clients with medication in keeping with the direction of the plan of care/service plan and under the direction and monitoring of a regulated health professional or most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer's policies.

  • Assist with household management tasks and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care/service plan and considering the preferences, comfort and safety of clients, families and significant others.

  • Assist clients who are caring for dependent individuals considering client and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care/service plan

  • Identify and report situations of neglect, and potential, alleged or witnessed/actual incidents of abuse, and respond in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer's policies and procedures.

  • Assist in the provision of culturally relevant palliative and end-of life care to clients experiencing life threatening illness and to their families and significant others, from diagnosis through death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients' choices and the plan of care/service plan.

  • Use identified approaches and best practices to support positive and safe behaviour in clients experiencing cognitive impairment, mental health challenges and/or responsive behaviours.

  • Apply knowledge of and commitment to continuous quality improvement and change initiatives, including the responsibility of ongoing and continuing professional development.

  • Make use of self-care strategies to manage personal and professional stressors in accordance with client and employer expectations

More Info: click here

Level 1

  • Course Details

  • Conestoga 101

  • CON0101

  • Supportive Care Theory and Practice

  • PSW1315

  • Structure and Function of the Body for Person Centered Care

  • PSW1365

  • Professional Practice

  • PSW1375

Level 2

  • Course Details

  • Career Readiness for the Personal Support Worker

  • CDEV1270

  • College Reading & Writing Skills

  • COMM1085

  • Supportive Care Practice II

  • PSW1635

  • Professional Care Practice, Community and Long Term Care

  • PSW1685

  • Community and Palliative Care

  • PSW1695

  • Pregraduate Consolidation

  • PSW1705

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Pre Courses

No Course!
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Pathway Courses

 

No Course!
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Career Opportunity

Career Opportunity

  • Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses

  • Other Medical Technologists and Technicians (except Dental Health)

  • Licensed Practical Nurses

  • Other Technical Occupations in Therapy and Assessment

  • Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates

  • Other Assisting Occupations in Support Of Health Services

  • Home Support Workers, Housekeepers and Related Occupations

Ability to settle

Overseas Student Health Cover

Health Insurance - $500

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