Certificate in Personal Support Worker - International Conestoga College

Conestoga's PSW program is designed to train students to become preferred graduates for the Personal Support Worker profession.

The program provides an integrated learning experience that prepares students to become entry-to-practice PSWs capable of providing person-centered care across different care environments, including long-term, community, and hospital care settings.

The program incorporates experiential learning to support student application of knowledge, skills, and judgment, and students have the opportunity to study at multiple locations, including the Living Classroom and ONSITEs.

By the end of the program, students will have received provincially recognized certificates related to personal care, home management, nutrition, and end-of-life care.

Level 1

• Career Readiness for the Personal Support Worker CDEV1270
• College Reading & Writing Skills COMM1085
• Conestoga 101 CON0101
• Safety in the Workplace OHS1320
• Supportive Care Theory and Practice PSW1315
• Structure and Function of the Body for Person-Centered Care PSW1365
• Professional Practice PSW1375

Level 2

• Field Placement (Personal Support Worker) FPLT1685
• Field Placement II (Personal Support Worker) FPLT1705
• Community and Palliative Care PSW1695
• Supportive Care Theory and Practice II PSW1725

• Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Practice professionally, and be accountable for one's own actions 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 a member of a team.
• Practice as an engaged member of the interprofessional team to maintain collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, responsive and competent client-centred care within care settings.
• Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows the plan of care.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting, and respectful partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies, confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
• 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 by implementing current infection prevention and control measures, emergency and first aid procedures, and best practices in pandemic planning that are in keeping with the plan of care, all applicable legislation, and employer policies and procedures.
• Assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts, common alterations in functioning, health promotion, 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 all applicable legislation and employer policies.
• Assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort, safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
• Assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
• Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse, and/or neglect, as required by all applicable legislation, including the retirement homes act, 2010 and the long-term care homes act, 2007, and as required within the employers' job description for the 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 to their families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care.
• Provide client-centered and client-directed care 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 to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients

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. Graduates meeting the academic requirements may pursue admission to Conestoga's part-time PSW to Practical Nursing Bridge program.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website.