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Health-care

NACC Personal Support Worker

About this Program

In downtown Toronto, develop the skills required for personal support worker (PSW) positions within Canada’s health-care sector, including long-term care homes, hospitals, retirement homes and community organizations. This PSW certificate program prepares you to provide supportive care and assistance with activities of daily living to individuals, including patients experiencing cognitive impairment, physical disability and mental health challenges. The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate program is based on the Ontario Personal Support Worker Training Standard released in January 2022. The program curriculum, standards and guidelines, combined with the clinical component of the program, provides you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this field.

Fees

*Note that the fees shown on this page are (1) in Canadian dollars, (2), subject to change and (3) for Canadian permanent residents and citizens. International students will be charged an additional $2,000 CAD. Book costs vary and are not included in your tuition fees.

Payment Options

Financial Assistance

PSW Policies

The Personal Support Worker Program is approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005 and meets the standards of the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC).

Career Opportunities

Prepare to work for trusted care providers, such as:

Long-term care facilities
Group homes
Private homes
Hospitals
Retirement homes
Adult day centres
Home care agencies
Supportive housing

Program Highlights

By the end of the program, you will be able to:

Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings, aligning with employer job descriptions, standards and guidelines.
Practise professionally by applying problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as an engaged team member.
Provide client-centered and client-directed care, based on ethical principles and sensitive to diverse personal and family values, to individuals experiencing various mental health illness and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices.
Maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting and respectful partnership within professional boundaries and policies .
Identify relevant client information within the roles and responsibilities of the personal support worker using observation, critical thinking and effective communication skills to report and document findings.

Create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others.
Assist clients with activities of daily living along with household management services by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts, common alterations in functioning, disease prevention, rehabilitation and restorative care and holistic health care.
Assist the client with medication following the client's plan of care, and if a delegated, act under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with legislation and employer policies.
Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse and/or neglect, as required by legislation and the employers' job description for personal support workers.
Assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and their families and significant others, in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care.

Admissions

Academic requirements:

To be eligible for this personal support worker program, you must:

Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent; or be at least 19 years of age or older and pass an entry test.
Equivalent: foreign credentials must be translated in English and assessed for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized organization such as WES (World Education Service).

Non-academic requirements:

In addition to the academic requirements, you are also required to provide:

A signed Vulnerable Sector Disclaimer completed and returned to the college within at least 45 days of the commencement of study.
A signed Medical Disclaimer completed and returned to the college within at least 45 days of the commencement of study.

*For information on admission requirements, practicum and placement components, please reach out to admissions@trebas.gus.global.

English Proficiency Requirements

If English is not a student’s first language, they must provide proof of English competency.

This must be demonstrated through one of the following options:

IELTS – International English Language Testing Services – Minimum average score of 5.5 with no subject test score lower than 5.5
Equivalent Recognized Official Proficiency Test (see Admissions Requirements page for more information)
NACC Written Entrance Exam (passing score of 60)

Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at a Canadian institution.
Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at an institution outside of Canada.

Courses

Term 1

Term 2

Term 1
Term 2

Overview of Term 1

PSW Foundations - PSW200

In the introductory module, you will gain an overview of a PSW’s responsibilities in various settings. You will learn about client-centered versus client-directed care and the importance of emphasizing the individuality of the client and their relationships with family, friends and others. Key topics include work relationships, interpersonal skills, communications, conflict resolution, applicable legislation and stress and time management.

Safety and Mobility - PSW201

The second module covers safety for both the client and you. One of your fundamental tasks as a PSW is assisting the client with routine activities of living. You will learn about the risks of unsafe equipment or settings and the appropriate actions to take when unsafe situations are identified. Topics include infection control methods, body mechanics and transferring and lifting techniques using equipment to increase safety and reduce client anxiety.

Body Systems - PSW202

This module will introduce you to the basics of anatomy and physiology. You will gain an understanding of human body systems to apply this knowledge in your daily work as a personal support worker. These body systems include the musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, integumentary, reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems. You will also cover common disorders and age-related changes for each body system.

Assisting with Personal Hygiene - PSW203

As a PSW, you will assist clients with all activities of daily living. Accordingly, in this course, learn how to care for clients who are ill, disabled, injured and/or confused. You will consider frailness, dignity and levels of dependence. You will also learn how to support with personal hygiene tasks, such as oral care, perineal care, bathing, grooming, dressing, bed making, shaving, hair care and skin care. This will involve considerations for personal safety, self-esteem and dignity.

Abuse and Neglect - PSW204

This module introduces you to the concepts of violence and abuse, including its possible signs and the appropriate actions and legal requirements if abuse is suspected. You will examine personal beliefs and attitudes about family violence and abuse, as well as the concepts of client abuse and worker abuse. You will learn to recognize both indicators and causes and understand the requirements of legislation, employer policy and provisions of the service contract or support plan.

Household Management, Nutrition, and Hydration - PSW205

Learn how to assist clients with their nutritional needs, household activities and household management according to client preferences, comfort and safety within employer guidelines. You will understand how to plan balanced menus, prepare shopping lists, handle food safely and implement techniques for storage and cooking. You will also address the special dietary needs of certain clients and their cultural and religious preferences.

Care Planning/Restorative Care/Documentation/Working in the Community - PSW206

In this module, understand the significance of care plans and service contracts for helping clients relearn or regain routine abilities. You will also be introduced to working in the community health-care environment, providing support to patients and families in communities, in accordance with employer guidelines.

Overview of Term 2

Assisting the Family, Growth and Development - PSW207

Learn to understand family characteristics in terms of structure, functions, roles, lifestyles and relationships. You will explore the influence of cultural values, practices, religious beliefs, as well as the effects of illness, stress and disability on family relationships, which are central to your ability as a PSW to provide effective support. This module also explores the stages of growth and development throughout the life cycle and your role in providing respite to families.

Assisting the Dying Person - PSW208

In this module, you will learn about hospice, palliative and end-of-life care and the integration of a palliative approach to care. You will explore ways of being, communication and practical strategies to provide psychosocial support and physical comfort care for both the person and their family. This module addresses provincial palliative care competencies, including competencies for caring for First Nation, Inuit, Metis, and urban Indigenous peoples.

Assisting with Medications - PSW209

Within the PSW scope of practice, you will learn about medication administration versus assistance. You will gain basic knowledge of the drugs used in the treatment of common diseases and disorders including their use, classification, effects and routes of administration. You will identify the purposes, required instruction and cautions. You will also understand the importance of observation for both desired and undesired outcomes, as well as the procedures to follow if there is a concern or problem with medications.

Cognitive/Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries - PSW210

This module introduces you to common psychiatric conditions such as affective disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, cognitive impairment and brain injury. You will learn about the possibility of multiple conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression and the role of the family caregiver. You will also learn the importance of observation, documentation and reporting in order to recognize changes in behavior that can be related to psychiatric conditions or an increased risk of suicide.

Health Conditions - PSW211

You will be introduced to ongoing conditions and basic concepts of assistance, as well as the general effects on a person of common disabilities, conditions and diseases. You will gain skill in the necessary techniques while focusing on the importance of providing support safely, effectively and comfortably. Concepts of maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration will be discussed, as will the importance of the support team in providing assistance and training for these additional skills.

Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care - PSW212

Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) is a multi-disciplinary program designed for everyone who interacts with older adults in the workplace. As a participant, you will be guided to fully understand responsive behaviors in order to respond effectively and appropriately in a workplace setting.

Clinical Placement (Facility) - PSW900

Clinical placements provide you with an opportunity to practise your new skills in a work setting. You will gain experience in a wider range of PSW skills, become more self-confident and may receive offers of employment from the placement site. In this module, you will work in a facility setting for 100 hours under the supervision of your instructor and a preceptor provided by the host site. Your instructor will be available by phone and email during the placement.

Clinical Placement (Community) - PSW901

Clinical placements will also provide you with an opportunity to practise your new skills in a community setting. While on placement, you will gain experience with a wider range of PSW skills, become more self-confident and may receive offers of employment from the placement site. In this module, you will work under the supervision of a preceptor provided by the host site. Your instructor will be available by phone and email at all times.

Please note that Trebas Institute reserves the right to modify the content of this program.