Personal Support Worker 2022

Certificate Program

Course Code: 203

Introduction

The Personal Support Worker (PSW) program prepares graduates to provide supportive care to individuals across the lifespan including clients experiencing cognitive and intellectual impairments, physical and mental health challenges, and illnesses, by assisting them with their activities of daily living. Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings including community care agencies/organizations, retirement homes, private homes, residential care homes, long-term care homes and hospital care settings.

Personal Support Workers (PSW) assist with the tasks of daily living and may work in various settings including long term care facilities, home care settings, retirement homes,supportive housing, group homes, adult day programs, hospitals, and educational facilities. The range of services provided by a PSW is determined by the individual needs of each person and may include assistance with routine activities of living including personal care, mobility, home management, meal preparation, family care, and assisting with social and recreational activities.

As front-line workers, 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 PSW are critical to the well-being and health of the people they support.

Responsibilities:

The fundamentals of a Personal Support Worker job description are the same everywhere;
however, its scope of practice is governed by many factors such as:

• Type of setting (Private home, Long-Term Care home, Retirement home, Clinical care setting).
• Requirements of the family or client when working in a private setting.
• Policies and procedures of the clinical care setting.
• Type of Personal Support Worker (PSW) training.
• Type and amount of experience.
• Legislation.

Therefore, a PSW job description can be personalized and customized according to the type of support someone needs. Often tasks performed are based on the patient specific care plan put together by Registered Healthcare Professional(s). The PSW job description will always vary, but in general, some of the common duties are:

• Following the care plan and observing and reporting any substantial findings and/or changes in patient/resident/client’s behaviour to the appropriate registered member of the healthcare team.
• Working under the supervision of a Registered Healthcare Professional such as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).
• Performing tasks delegated to them (only if they are trained to perform the delegated task).
• Assisting with ambulation, positioning, and transferring using mechanical lifts such as a Hoyer lift.
• Assisting or providing total personal care such as toileting, bathing, and perineal care.
• Assisting with eating, dressing, and grooming.
• Assisting nursing staff by answering call bells (in Hospitals and Long-Term care homes).
• Performing sitter duty or patient watch for confused patients in clinical care settings.
• Computer or paper documentation of Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and other findings.
• Reporting behavioral and clinical changes to a Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Resource Nurse, or Manager.
• Self-actualization by helping patient/resident/client to reach maximum potential.

Besides the above listed duties that a PSW can carry out, the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) sets out guidelines that allow unregulated health professionals to perform certain controlled acts.

Additionally, PSWs are required to possess a skill set of abilities that will enable them to perform their job EFFECTIVELY as well.
These abilities include:

• Overall competency in working under pressure.
• Experience in providing general care and support.
• Knowledge of home care services.
• Proficient in written communication.
• Proficient in oral communication.

As a student in this certification program you’ll learn:

• Role of the Worker
• Assisting A Person With Mobility
• Proving Optimal Support/Care Planning
• Assisting The Family Cognitive Impairment and Mental Health Issues
• The Role of the Childcare Worker
• Assisting A Person With Medications
• Household Management and Meal Preparation Assisting
• First Aid and CPR NACC Certificate

Plus, you’ll complete a Clinical/Work Placement. You’ll learn first-hand in a real healthcare environment before you graduate. Employers will be impressed with your real-world experience and you’ll make valuable industry contacts while you get a feel for your new career.

Personal Support Workers can find employment in a number of positions including:

• Attendant for persons with disabilities – home care
• Family caregiver
• Home support worker
• Live-in caregiver – seniors
• Personal aide – home support
• Personal care attendant – home care
• Respite worker – home support

Main duties for people in this field could be:

• Care for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation
• Administer bedside and personal care to clients such as aid in ambulation, bathing and personal hygiene
• Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and assist in feeding clients
• Demonstrate infant care to new parents
• May perform routine duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, administering medications and collecting specimens under general direction
• May perform routine housekeeping duties

$5,000 incentive for PSW graduates

HealthForceOntario is providing a $5,000 incentive to recent PSW graduates in exchange for a six-month commitment to an eligible Long-Term Care or Home and Community Care employer. Check your eligibility now: https://www.healthforceontario.ca/en/Home/All_Programs/PSW_Return_of_Service