Personal Support Worker Ontario College Certificate
ObjectivesPersonal Support Worker is a two level program leading to an Ontario College Certificate. Graduates, as entry level unregulated workers, have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide personal care and home management services to clients in both community and institutional settings. Personal support workers work with clients who are stable and who have clearly identified needs that are not expected to change significantly. They work under the supervision of care/service teams (which include nurses, and other regulated or non-regulated care providers), as well as under the direction of the client.
Practical experienceThere is a clinical placement component associated with this program.
Academic titlePersonal Support Worker Ontario College Certificate
Course descriptionLevel 1 Credits
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
HLTH-1092 Foundations of Personal Support 2.00
HLTH-1093 Health and Wellness 5.00
HLTH-1094 Self & Others for PSW 3.00
HLTH-1095 Human Body Structure & Function 3.00
HLTH-1096 PSW Laboratory Practice 1.00
HLTH-1098 Life Transitions 2.00
HLTH-1099 Ongoing Health Challenges 2.00
HLTH-1100 Mental Health & Cognitive Impairment 2.00
HLTH-3020 PSW Long Term Care Clinical Practicum 8.25
Level 2 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Gen Ed - Electives
Take 3 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Level 1
HLTH-1092 - Foundations of Personal Support
In this course, the learner is introduced to the role of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) and the scope of practice for the PSW within the health care system. Through class discussion, seminars, lectures, the learner will explore confidentiality and privacy, client rights and boundaries, ethical issues, professional behavior, and legislation involving the health care system.
HLTH-1093 - Health and Wellness
Students will be introduced to core concepts and skills; providing compassionate care to all; growth and development throughout the life span; food safety, meal planning and feeding; assisting with mobility,positioning, lifts and transfers; ensuring safety in both homes and institutions; personal hygiene and grooming; infection control; caring for mothers, infants, children and the elderly; abuse; and documentation. The individual's rights to safety, dignity, respect, privacy and confidentiality will be emphasized.
HLTH-1094 - Self & Others for PSW
In this course the student will examine self, personal beliefs and values as well as explore the concept of the helping relationship and interpersonal relationships with others. Knowledge, skills and attitudes for career and college success will also be developed.
HLTH-1095 - Human Body Structure & Function
This course is designed to introduce the beginning support worker to the structure and basic function of the human body. Discussion will center on the normal and will include age related changes that occur through the lifespan. Medical terminology will be used throughout the course enabling the student to begin to develop a basic scientific vocabulary that will grow over time.
HLTH-1096 - PSW Laboratory Practice
This lab practice course is designed to introduce the basic skills involved with activities of daily living (ADLs). When taken concurrently with Clinical Practice I, the student is given an opportunity to practice in both clinical and laboratory settings. Throughout this course, emphasis is placed on respecting the client's individual needs, preferences, and pace.
HLTH-1098 - Life Transitions
This course focuses on selected life transitions such as illness, rehabilitation, admission to a long-term care setting, and death and dying. Supportive personal care for special needs children with developmental disabilities and household management is also included. Emphasis is placed on health promotion, a value that upholds clients' and families' rights to make choices and have a sense of control about their health situation and lifestyle.
HLTH-1099 - Ongoing Health Challenges
Learn about the lived experience of people with a variety of health challenges. The impact of specific chronic illnesses and/or disabilities throughout the lifespan will be discussed, as well as ways PSW's can support and care for individuals and their families with these chronic health challenges. In addition, the PSW role in assisting with medication administration will be addressed.
HLTH-1100 - Mental Health & Cognitive Impairment
Mental health disorders can affect all aspects of a person's life: the physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual. This course will examine mental illness and cognitive impairment with an emphasis on appreciating the lived experience of the client, and what it means to the person who is suffering from it, and how to care for people experiencing mental disorders, cogntive impairment or dementia.
HLTH-3020 - PSW Long Term Care Clinical Practicum
This practical course enable students to apply skills and concepts learned in the classroom and laboratory by providing care for residents in a long-term care setting over two clinical rotations. Throughout this course, emphasis will be placed on concepts such as confidentiality, safety, organizational skills, reliability, communication, and documentation. In the first rotation, students are introduced to the role and responsibilities of the PSW while providing basic care and appropriate communication to clients and the health care team. In the second rotation, students are expected to synthesize learned knowledge and continue to provide safe, competent care for an increasing number of clients.
HLTH-3021 - PSW Clinical Consolidation Practicum
This consolidation practicum will enable the student to work both independently and as part of the team while enhancing their problem-solving and critical thinking within a PSW's scope of practice. The student will be expected to demonstrate all acquired skills in a consistent and competent manner as well as confidentiality, safety, organization, communication, and documentation while caring for a variety of clients in a long-term care setting. Students must display reliability and accountability at all times throughout this course by following the policies, rules and regulations of both Fanshawe College and the host agency.
HLTH-3022 - PSW Community Practicum
This practicum course enables the student to work both independently and as part of the team in the care of individuals and families at various stages of the life cycle in a community setting, while refining their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. The student, acting within the role of a PSW, will be expected to demonstrate all acquired skills in a consistent and competent manner as well as confidentiality, safety, organization, communication, and documentation while caring for a variety of clients. Students must display reliability and accountability at all times throughout this course, by following the policies, rules and regulations of both Fanshawe College and the host agency.