Make a difference for people with supportive care needs. Choose a career as a Personal Support Worker.
This program will prepare you to provide supportive care to individuals and families in a variety of settings, such as long term care facilities and community home care. Students will be provided with the knowledge and skills to assist clients of all ages with the activities of daily living, including personal care, home management and nutrition and family responsibilities.
As with other Health Sciences programs, students are taught theory in a classroom setting and will be required to apply the theory to lab and clinical experiences in institutional and in home care settings.
Program Facts
Length: One-year Ontario College Certificate program (also available part-time) Delivery Sequence: Doon (Kitchener) - September/2013 (Waitlist) - Fall | Winter Doon (Kitchener) - January/2014 (Open) - Winter | Spring/Summer Guelph - September/2013 (Waitlist) - Fall | Winter Guelph - January/2014 (Open) - Winter | Spring/Summer Location: Doon (Kitchener) and Guelph (Note: Guelph location is Villiage of Riverside Glen, Guelph) Start: September and January First-Year Capacity: 84 (Doon - Sept), 24 (Guelph - Sept), 48 (Doon - Jan), 24 (Guelph - Jan) Tuition: Please refer to Program Fee Chart for information *Fees are higher for international students on a Student Visa. *Recreation/Athletics, Graduation/Alumni, Insurance, as well as program-related costs such as books and supplies are additional.
Program Outcomes
Recognize the role of the Personal Support Worker and participate as a member of a interprofessional team.
Identify and practice legal, ethical and moral responsibilities relevant to the Personal Support Worker role.
Provide client-centered and client-directed care under the supervision of the employer, client, family or significant care-giver, by following established care plans, policies and procedures in institutional and community settings.
Assist the client with routine activities of daily living, personal care, nutrition and home management services in accordance with the client's preferences.
Recognize and respond to the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual and cultural needs of the clients of all ages across the lifespan with an emphasis on Gerontology.
Recognize and apply the concepts of health promotion, independence vs dependence, maintenance and rehabilitation.
Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others.
Identify and respond to abuse as it applies to children, spouses/partners, older adults, individuals with disabilities, care-givers, including self and recipients of care.
Assist family members to develop and use parenting skills.
Provide assistance with non parenteral medications in keeping with the directions stated on the client's care plan under the direction and monitoring of a health care professional.
Administer ear/eye drops/ointments, suppositories, enemas and prescription creams/ointments; in keeping with the directions stated on the client's care plan under the direction and monitoring of a health care professional.
Support and assist the palliative care client.
Communicate effectively and appropriately with clients, care-givers and other interprofessional team members using a variety of oral, written, nonverbal and electronic communication techniques.
Use effective critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making appropriately in providing supportive care to clients.
Identify, collect, report and record relevant observations in an ongoing and timely manner.
Use effective time management skills to organize and prioritize supportive care for individual clients and for multi-client groups.
Identify stress and implement stress management techniques.
Reinforce client teaching in accordance with the established client care plan.
Identify role-related and/or personal limitations that require additional professional development and utilize opportunities to further own education.
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status. (See Mature Student Definition for details.)
Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1270)
An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
Ten (10) additional marks are added for each Advanced Level, OAC, U, U/C course used in the calculation of academic strength.
Twenty (20) marks are added for each post-secondary course used to calculate academic strength. Please note: Beginning with the application cycle for fall 2014, post-secondary courses used in the calculation of academic strength will receive a bonus of ten (10) marks.
A sound English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admissions selection process. Minimum cutoffs may apply.
Program Requirements
Practicum health and/or safety requirements must be completed in order for you to attend your practicum experience. This placement is mandatory for the completion of your program. If you do not attend field/clinical placement, you will not be promoted to the next semester and it will ultimately result in non-completion of the program.
To qualify for field/clinical placement learning experiences, students must present the following at the start of the program in accordance with pre-admission information which will be provided by the College:
a clear (no criminal offences) Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), completed annually*
completed Immunization records
Standard First Aid and CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) /AED (Automated External Defibrillator) HCP (Health Care Professional) certification
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 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 accessibility to a car is required for clinical placements in the home care setting.
Applicants are advised that a latex-free environment in the College or clinical setting is not guaranteed.
Attendance in classroom skills lab and clinical experiences is essential.
*Criminal Screening: To be eligible for practicum, you must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which you have not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record may result in the inability to participate in field placement/clinical and will jeopardize your progress in the program.
Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request you to provide a VSS completed within six months of placement start date.
Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the Program Chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
Offences under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Canada:
Conestoga recognizes prior learning of skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired through employment, formal and informal education, non-formal learning or other life experiences. Prior learning must be measurable at the required academic level and meet Conestoga standards of achievement for current courses. Challenge exams and portfolio development are the primary methods of assessment. Other methods of assessment may be available depending upon the nature of the course objectives. Successful completion of the assessment results in an official course credit that will be recorded on the student's Conestoga transcript. PLAR cannot be used by registered Conestoga students for the clearance of academic deficiencies, to improve grades or to obtain admission into a program.
Description: This course will cover basic oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on workplace application in a health care environment. Students will learn how to plan, write and revise written communication using correct grammar, sentence structure and mechanics. Students will also develop their oral communication skills through regular short presentations and classroom work. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course introduces the student to the role, responsibilities and scope of practice, including workplace legislation and established policies and procedures relevant to the Personal Support Worker. The student is introduced to the roles of the health care team with a focus on interprofessional relationships. Current issues and trends in health care delivery and their impact on the Personal Support Worker role will be discussed. The students will be introduced to the concept of the individual. In this course the student will be introduced to the concepts of communication and interpersonal skills essential to establishing and maintaining effective relationships with clients and family members. Problem solving and decision making skills will be presented and the use of written materials, including documentation and care planning will be discussed. The principles of teaching and learning, observation skills and reporting to supervisors will be taught. Students will be provided with opportunities to practice these skills. The concepts introduced in this course are incorporated in all courses. Hours: 36 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course introduces the student to concepts and principles of supportive care, which are applied in Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part A and continue in Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part B. The course focuses on the development of relevant knowledge required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients with personal care and routine activities of daily living. Infection control and environmental safety are incorporated into the content. The student will develop a basic understanding of interprofessionism related to role of the Personal Support Worker and the healthcare team. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are incorporated. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course continues to emphasize the concepts and principles of supportive care, which are applied in Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part A and Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part B. The course focuses on relevant knowledge, attitudes and skills required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients with nutrition and feeding. Another focus is on the relevant knowledge, attitudes and skills required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients with skin care, positioning, mobility, high risk feeds and choking. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are incorporated. The student will continue to develop an understanding of interprofessionism related to role of the Personal Support Worker and the healthcare team. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: The course applies the theory learned in the Supportive Care I Theory courses to the development and practice of the skills required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients with personal care and the routine activities of daily living. Students will also practice the techniques of infection control and environmental safety, in addition to practicing the attitudes and skills required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients with skin care, positioning, mobility, high risk feeds and choking, as well as having the opportunity to practice their skills in a laboratory setting. Students will also be evaluated on the performance of those skills and on their ability to apply theory to practice. Hours: 48 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course continues to emphasize the role of the Personal Support Worker and the individuality of the client. The concept of interprofessional teamwork and the importance of interprofessional communication will be discussed. Students will learn the importance of the role the Personal Support Worker in relation to interprofessional collaboration. Stress and time management skills will be course themes. Family violence and abuse will be discussed and the student will learn how to respond appropriately if abuse is suspected. The concepts introduced in this course are expressed in all courses. Hours: 24 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required to assist clients and support families with activities of daily living. The major focus of the course is the role of the Personal Support Worker in assisting clients who are experiencing physiological challenges. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are incorporated. The student will learn the role of the Personal Support Worker as it relates to supporting family members and assisting clients who are disabled, ill or convalescing. Specific communication skills and maintaining supportive relationships are topics addressed in the course. The importance of interprofessional concepts in relation to supporting clients with acute and chronic care needs is discussed. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course provides the student with opportunities to practice clinical skills, under supervision in a practicum setting in a Long Term Care Home. The student will have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills acquired in theory to practice. During this experience the student will also develop an understanding of the role of the Personal Support Worker in a Long Term Care Home and develop an understanding of interprofessional relationships. Hours: 55 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course provides the student with opportunities to continue to build and practice on clinical skills, under supervision in a practicum setting in a Long Term Care Home. The student will have opportunities to apply knowledge and skills acquired in theory to practice. During this experience the student will continue to develop an understanding of the role of the Personal Support Worker in a Long Term Care Home and develop an understanding of interprofessional relationships. Hours: 48 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will focus on developing the ability to work effectively in groups and/or as part of a team and to resolve conflict. For this part of the course emphasis will be on team dynamics and utilizing practical strategies and proven techniques as well as effective communiation skills to enhance team development and to deal successfully with conflict. The second part of the course will focus on the caregiver. The student will examine the impact of stress and compassion fatigue as it relates to their caregiving role. A variety of methods of stress prevention and reduction will be discussed. Practical strategies to maintain a healthy lifestyle will be emphasized. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course continues to develop the concepts and principles of supportive care, which are applied in Long Term Care Supervised Practice II and Community Care Practice. The course focuses on development of the relevant knowledge and specific skills required by the Personal Support Worker to assist clients in both settings. The student will be introduced to the community setting and the principles of home management will be incorporated. The importance of interprofessional teamwork in relation to supporting the client with specific needs will be discussed. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are introduced. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: PSW1805, PSW1815, PSW1825, PSW1860, PSW1870 CoRequisites:
Description: The course applies the theory learned in the Level Two Supportive Care - Theory course to the development and practice of the skills required by the personal support worker to assist clients with personal care and routine activities of daily living in both Long Term Care and Community Practice. As well as having the opportunity to practice their skills in the laboratory setting, students will also be evaluated on the performance of those skills and on their ability to apply theory to practice. Hours: 32 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: PSW1805, PSW1815, PSW1825, PSW1860, PSW1870 CoRequisites:
Description: This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge and skills required to assist clients and support families with mental health care needs. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are incorporated. The importance of the Personal Support Workers role as a member of the interprofessional team in relation to supporting clients with mental health care needs is discussed. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: PSW1800, PSW1840, PSW1850 CoRequisites:
Description: This course is designed to focus on the role of the Personal Support Worker in supporting families and assisting clients who are experiencing complex and palliative care needs. Related processes that influence normal body structure and function are incorporated. Specific communication skills and maintaining supportive relationships are topics addressed in the course. The importance of the Personal Support Workers role as a member of the interprofessional team in relation to supporting clients with complex and palliative care needs is discussed. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: PSW1800, PSW1840, PSW1850 CoRequisites:
Description: This course provides the student with opportunities to continue to practice clinical skills, under the supervision of an instructor in a practicum setting in a Long Term Care Home. The student will continue to apply knowledge and skills learned in Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part A and Long Term Care Supervised Practice Part B. Opportunities will be provided to apply new knowledge and perform skills that have been learned. The student will expand his/her understanding of the Personal Support Worker role. The student will continue to develop interprofessional relationships. Hours: 70 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: PSW1860, PSW1870 CoRequisites:
Description: This course provides the student with opportunities to practice clinical skills, under the supervision of an instructor. The student will continue to apply knowledge and skills gained in Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part A, Long Term Care Supervised Practice I Part B, and Long Term Care Supervised Practice II in a community setting under the supervision of a preceptor and an instructor on call. During this experience, the student will assist clients with routine activities of daily living, home management activities, and adapt skills learned to the community setting. An understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Personal Support Worker in the community settings will be developed. The student is also introduced to the members of the health care team with an emphasis on interprofessional relationships. Hours: 56 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: PSW1860, PSW1870 CoRequisites:
Description: This course facilitates the transition from the role of a student to the role of a Personal Support Worker as a beginning practitioner. During this course, the student will apply and consolidate knowledge and skills gained in the previous theory, skills lab and practicum courses of the program. The student will have the opportunity to support individuals and families in a Long Term Care Home or in a Community setting. Opportunity to participate as a contributing member of the interprofessional team, under the guidance of a preceptor and instructor on call, will be provided. Hours: 68 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: PSW1860, PSW1870 CoRequisites:
Graduate Opportunities
Personal Support Workers contribute to the quality of life of individuals by promoting their independence and dignity; social, emotional and physical needs; mobility; personal appearance; comfort and safety. Graduates understand the roles, responsibilities and limitations of the Personal Support Worker and work as a member of the health care team, communicating effectively, and observing and reporting changes in clients' conditions.
100% of 2010-2011 graduates found employment within 6 months of graduation. Their average starting salary was $30,313.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities see the Government of Canada web site: http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca
Degree Completion Opportunities
Conestoga College is dedicated to creating exciting and flexible degree completion opportunities for many programs for current, former and prospective students. Learn how a Conestoga education can respond to the community's demand for a skilled workforce and help you to reach your goal of a challenging and rewarding career.
Visit our Degree Completion Opportunities website.
Financial Assistance
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a needs based program designed to help Ontario students cover the cost of post-secondary education. Funded by the federal and provincial governments, OSAP is intended to promote equality of opportunity for post-secondary studies through direct financial assistance for educational costs and living expenses. These interest-free loans are intended to supplement your financial resources and those of your family. The majority of students apply for loan assistance via the OSAP website: http://osap.gov.on.ca. Students can also print the application booklet through the OSAP website.
For more information, please visit Financial Aid/Awards.
Program Contacts
For additional information please contact: Shirley Thompson, Part-time Co-ordinator, 519-748-5220 ext. 3407 Stephanie Flynn, Full-time Co-ordinator, 519-748-5220, ext. 3949 Jane Douglas, Full-time Co-ordinator, 519-748-5220, ext. 3343
Program Advisory Committees
The College appoints Program Advisory Committee members for diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and recent program graduates. College representatives (students, faculty, and administrators) are resource persons. Each committee advises the Board on the development of new programs, the monitoring of existing programs and community acceptance of programs.
For a list of the current members, please visit our Program Advisory Committees.
