Overview
This program and all of its classes are delivered at Southbridge in Cornwall, Ontario.
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) is a key member of the healthcare team, providing both physical and emotional care to those who are most vulnerable. Being a PSW is an incredibly rewarding career, and requires someone who is caring, patient, supportive, and interested in helping others.
This Ontario College Certificate program prepares students to provide personal care and support services to individuals and families. Responsibilities of the Personal Support Worker may include assisting with home management, facilitating social and recreational activities, and promoting health and well-being with clients from all ages of the lifespan.
The program has been developed to meet the standards published by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. These standards reflect the increased pre-employment education and training required by Personal Support Worker graduates entering the increasingly diverse health and social care environment.
Learn in a living classroom at Southbridge Care home
Southbridge Care Homes has partnered with St. Lawrence College to deliver the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program onsite at their facility, using a living classroom model. This PSW program and all of its classes are delivered at Southbridge Care Home in Cornwall, Ontario. The living classroom model will allow students enrolled in the program to have an immersive learning environment, becoming part of the facility from the beginning of their program, learning daily as part of the care team.
Incentives
While there IS tuition required for this program, Southbridge Cornwall is offering the following incentives to those enrolled:
- Paid placement (subject to available funding)
- Textbooks and supplies will be provided
- 12 month guaranteed employment upon successful program completion and contingent on ongoing employment performance metrics
- Opportunity to potentially be eligible for up to $15,400 in PSW incentives through Ontario Health
- Click here to review your eligibility for Ontario Health Incentives
- Please note that all incentives provided by Southbridge Cornwall are subject to eligibility requirements.
About Southbridge Cornwall
Southbridge Cornwall is a 160-bed accredited and licensed long-term care home, located in the beautiful community of Cornwall, Ontario. Specializing in long-term care, we are committed to providing a home environment where the residents have access to service and care to achieve optimal outcomes. We value relationships within the home, maintaining community connections to ensure our residents quality of everyday life and quality of care.
Program Details
Program Outline
2024-2025
This course introduces you to roles, responsibilities, and working environments along with legal, professional and ethical topics that are important to the PSW practice. Through case studies, class discussions, and quizzes, foundational principles and practices of the PSW are studied within institutional, community and other health care workplace settings.
This course introduces the student to the basic structure and function of the human body throughout the lifespan. Topics will include basic anatomy, physiology, nutritional needs, hygiene, body mechanics and alignment, and infection control. Through various in-class discussions, tests and take home projects health promotion and age related changes are emphasized.
This course is designed to present an overview of the scientific study of human growth and development from conception to death. Through group projects, testing and individual written assessments an introduction to recent research, theories and concepts are applied to individuals of all ages and their families.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to acquire knowledge regarding the principles and tools of communication and effective interpersonal relationships within the role of the Personal Support Worker. Areas of content include theory and techniques to develop effective interpersonal skills with clients and co-workers, and to enhance self-awareness. Various role plays, activities and class discussions allows students to practice clearly communicating information to the client, caregiver, supervisor and other support care workers in both oral and written form.
This course has 120 hours of lab and clinical practice experience in both a simulation lab and an institutional setting, under the supervision and guidance of a registered professional. Through hands on demonstrations, the student applies theoretical knowledge to provide safe, organized care to assist the individual with activities of daily living.
This 45 hour course introduces the student to common health challenges or conditions that occur within the human body. Concepts of maintenance, rehabilitation, safety and restorative care are discussed. Through various presentations and quizzes students assess the relationship between health conditions and a plan of care.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1000 (+ PSWO1100 + PSWO1200 + PSWO1300 + PSWO1400)
This course provides the PSW student with an opportunity to explore the impact that mental illness, substance abuse, and dementia have on the lives of individuals and their families. Through various guest speaker presentations and weekly assignments, topics such as care and support requirements, care-giving approaches, and roles and responsibilities of the PSW as a member of the care/service providing team, are explained and analyzed.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1200 (+ PSWO1000 + PSWO1100 + PSWO1300 + PSWO1400)
This course provides the PSW student with the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge of different types of development health challenges, their etiology, treatment and care needs of the individual and his or her family. Developmental health challenges that are included are those associated with fetal development, infancy, pregnancy, the post-partum period, and acquired brain injury. Through the use of guest speakers and assignments students focus on the personal and supportive care required by individuals confronted by selected developmental health challenges.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1200 + (PSWO1000 + PSWO1100 + PSWO1300 + PSWO1400)
This course focuses on the role of the PSW throughout the palliative period. Topics of study include; the history of palliative care, the roles of various team members, the dying and grieving processes and their effects on the client, family, and caregivers. Learning activities center around case studies and personal reflections in order to gain self-awareness and understanding regarding all aspects palliative care.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1000 + PSWO1400 (+ PSWO1100 + PSWO1200 + PSWO130)
This course has 112 consecutive hours of facility clinical experience. In partnership with assigned agency staff, the student performs the various responsibilities of an entry level Personal Support Worker. Through guided evaluation and feedback the student meets the diverse needs of the client while functioning as an integral member of the health care team.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1000 + PSWO1100 +PSWO1200 + PSWO1300 +PSWO1400 + PSWO2000 +PSWO2100 + PSWO2200 +PSWO2300 + PSWO2400
This course has 108 consecutive hours of clinical practice experience that provides the student with the opportunities in both a simulation setting (36 hours) and a long term institutional setting (72 hours), under the supervision and guidance of a clinical teacher. The student is provided the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to the provision of safe, organized care for the individual client and assigned multi-client group, assisting with activities of daily living and completion of basic personal care.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1400 (+ PSWO1000 + PSWO1100 + PSWO1200 + PSWO1300 + COMH150)
Co-requisite(s): PSWO2000 + PSWO2100 + PSWO2200 + PSWO2300
This course has 96 consecutive hours of community experience. In partnership with assigned agency staff, the student performs the various responsibilities of an entry level Personal Support Worker. Through guided evaluation and feedback the student meets the diverse needs of the client while functioning as an integral member of the health care team.
Prerequisite(s): PSWO1000 + PSWO1100 +PSWO1200 + PSWO1300 +PSWO1400 + PSWO2000 +PSWO2100 + PSWO2200 +PSWO2300 + PSWO2400
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Health Requirements
Immunization - Communicable Disease Requirements
Completion of the Immunization - Communicable Disease Form is a mandatory condition for your clinical/practical placement. THIS FORM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Download your Immunization - Communicable Disease Form
Questions regarding immunizations can be emailed to immunizations@sl.on.ca.
As an active SLC student, you are automatically enrolled in a student insurance plan. To learn more about how this applies to your immunization requirements please visit www.wespeakstudent.com (domestic) or www.guard.me (international).
OTHER PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for unpaid placement, enrolled students will need to complete a series of MANDATORY program and agency-specific pre-placement requirements. These will be discussed with students during class time and a Student Placement Facilitator will be in place to assist and answer all placement-related questions.
Students will need to complete the below mandatory requirements before classes begin:
- Standard First Aid & CPR Level BLS (formerly HCP) Certification
Must be completed through a WSIB-approved training provider. Certification must remain valid for the duration of the program and must not expire during placement.
- WSIB Certified First Aid/CPR Trainers
- Book a class ASAP as they fill up quickly
- Students can hold their certificate once completed and they will be instructed where and how to share it with the College during their class time
- All costs associated with the training are at the expense of the student
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
- Police Record Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening
Note: Certain criminal convictions may prevent a student from participating or completing placements for this program. Applicants with criminal records are required to contact the Associate Dean of the respective school (see Program Contacts below) prior to accepting an offer to this program to discuss and confirm participation within this program is suitable.
A recent Police Record Check including the Vulnerable Sector Screening is an agency requirement and is MANDATORY to begin any unpaid placement for this Program.
- Students will be notified when to apply for their Police Record Check by the Pre-placement Planning Coordinator to ensure the dates remain valid for their placement period.
- Many agencies want these updated every 3-6 months. All costs associated with obtaining a Police Record Check are at the expense of the student.
- Enrolled students will be notified of further instruction through their SLC email account or their Blackboards and should continue to monitor frequently.
ADDITIONAL PLACEMENT INFORMATION
Students with outstanding pre-placement requirements will not be eligible to begin placement and may be denied to begin placement or be required to pay additional fees (at their own expense) to continue and complete the placement component.
Pre-placement requirements are subject to change based on placement agency and/or legislative or regulatory changes.
Program-specific or additional questions? Please email the Program Contact(s) listed below.
Placement
Placements are done at the host agency.
Fees
2024-2025
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2024-2025.
Career Opportunities
Personal Support Workers are unregulated health care providers. They work as a member of the care and support team under the supervision of a regulated health professional or supervisor, or in the supported independent living environment, under the direction of the client.
Vocational Learning Outcomes for the Personal Support Worker
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Use identified approaches and best practices to support positive and safe behaviour in clients experiencing cognitive impairment, mental health challenges and/or responsive behaviours.
Personal Support Worker graduates may be employed in a variety of health and social care/support settings, including:
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Retirement homes
- Community‐based group residences
- Adult day centres
- Community home care
Program Contacts
Natalie Clark, Program Coordinator
nclark@sl.on.ca
ext. 2123