Diploma in Personal Support Worker

Duration

1 year (Two Semesters)

Entry Requirements

Minimum High School Diploma

Tuition

$2450 (Local)
$8000 (International)

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Course Delivery

On-Campus

Program Overview

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As a graduate of the Personal Support Worker program, you will provide support services to individuals and families in need of assistance. With this satisfying, people-focused career, you will be prepared to assist children, adults, and seniors with special needs or disabilities, and help them maximize their life experiences. You can start the program in September or January or May.

This two-semester Personal Support Worker program may particularly appeal to those re-entering the workforce. In total, you’ll get approximately 400 hours of relevant theory and over 300 hours of real-life, clinical training. The focus of this program is on:

  • Lab components throughout both semesters
  • Hands-on, task-oriented skills and practice time
  • Course content related to long term care and to community care to diversify your experience
  • Innovative new lab facilities that simulate

Career Opportunities

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After the graduation, our graduates can choose from a variety of work settings:

  • Long-term care facilities
  • Group homes
  • Community agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Day care centers (children or adults)
  • Home care agencies

Semester 1

Clinical Preparation and Success Strategies for PSW

Course Code: NRG 232

Total Lecture Hours: 6

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open Suggested Material: Lippincott’s Textbook for Personal Support Workers ISBN-13 1608311705 | Author: Marilyn A. McGreer

Description: This course consists of a series of workshops that will prepare the student for his/her clinical placements and future employment opportunities. This course is also intended to support student learning and retention, by preparing students for the academic demands of the Personal Support Worker Program

Communications I

Course Code: COMM-202

Total Lecture Hours: 45

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Health Communication: Strategies and Skills for a New Era ISBN –13 1284065879 | Author: Claudia Parvanta

Description: Communications I, is an introductory course that provides a foundation in college-level communications by teaching students to read critically, write appropriately for a variety of audiences, conduct and cite research, and revise for clarity and correctness.

In seminars and labs, students will engage in both independent and collaborative activities, including the development of a digital portfolio designed to help them become more effective communicators in academic and professional environments.

Computer Skills for PSW Worker

Course Code: COM-580

Total Lecture Hours: 15

Lab Hours Per Week: 2

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Microsoft Office Certification

Description: This computer course introduces the student to computer basics and other technology. Through the extensive use of hands-on activities, students will gain sufficient knowledge and experience to make productive use of computers as a tool in college and workplace environments.

Interpersonal Skills

Course Code: SOC-105

Total Lecture Hours: 45

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Interpersonal Skills in Organizations | McGraw Hill Education | Author: Suzanne De. Janasz

Description: In this foundational course, the student will learn about the concepts involved in communication. Through reflection, the student will develop a deeper understanding of self and how self, impacts communication with others. The student will explore the concepts of verbal messages, nonverbal messages, listening, and responding through a variety of simulation activities that aims to support the development of core interpersonal skills essential for communicating as a health care professional.

PSW Applications and Interventions

Course Code: NRG-205

Total Lecture Hours: 45

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Lippincott’s Textbook for Personal Support Workers: A Humanistic Approach to Caregiving | ISBN-13 978-1608311705 | Author: Marilyn McGreer

Description: This foundational course introduces the Personal Support Worker student to basic anatomy and physiology fundamental to the provision of personal care to individuals requiring assistance in an institutional setting.

Attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to function ethically, safely, and competently will be addressed in this class.

This course will discuss each body system, the common diseases associated with each system, and their related interventions. Theoretical concepts and principles discussed in this lecture course will be applied in lab and clinical courses.

PSW Clinical I - Long Term Care Course

Code: HLT-250

Total Lecture Hours: 0

Lab Hours Per Week: 48

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Lippincott’s Textbook for Personal Support Workers: A Humanistic Approach to Caregiving | ISBN-13 978-1608311705 | Author: Marilyn McGreer

Description: In this clinical placement, the student will demonstrate classroom theory and principles in the long-term care setting.

Students will also develop competence in therapeutic communication, professional behavior and accountability, personal care interventions, observation, reporting and recording, promotion and maintenance of a safe environment, and participation as multidisciplinary care team members.

PSW Skills - Lab/Practicum

Course Code: NRG 244

Total Lecture Hours: N/A

Lab Hours Per Week: 30

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Lab Work

Description: This course will consist of one hour of theoretical content instruction followed by five hours of practical experience in a Lab practicum.

In this course, the student will be able to apply the important concepts of compassionate, holistic, and client-centered care as they learn the basic supportive care that is needed to assist a client safely with their activity or daily living needs in the facility and/or community setting.

The course will also address safety considerations that should be made in the community and in the facility setting as students learn methods of assisting clients with positioning, activity, exercise, mobility, hygiene, and grooming as well as assistance with feeding, elimination, medications, and household management.

During the lab and lab classroom period, the student will be required to discuss the rationale behind the skills they will be performing and will also be responsible to know the special considerations that will be needed when performing the skill to ensure client safety and well-being.

Students will also be introduced to the important principles and skills needed to take a temperature, radial pulse, respiratory count, oxygen saturation, and electric blood pressure.

Students will also participate in community experiences in a simulated apartment setting and participate in station modules that will look at infection control in the community, assisting with household management, use of equipment, and safe food storage principles. In the community simulation environment, students will also learn how to transfer skills learned in the lab to the community setting.

Study of Lifespan - Across of Lifespan

Course Code: SOC-150

Total Lecture Hours: 45

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Lifespan Development: A Psychological Perspective – Second Edition | Author: Martha Lally, College of Lake County

Description: Human development across the lifespan will be studied by exploring the interrelationship between biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences from conception to the end of life.

Upon completion of the course, learners will have an understanding of individual development, in addition to the impact of lifespan development on families and communities.

Learners will have the opportunity to follow an individual’s development throughout the lifespan, using a variety of biopsychosocial factors.

Employment Skills (Optional)

Course Code: EMPS-101

Lecture Hours per week: 1

Lab Hours Per Week: 1

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Microsoft Office Certification.

Description: In Employment Skills 1, students will learn the ability to seek career opportunities and effectively market their knowledge, skills, and abilities tailored to these opportunities.

Students will identify and catalog work and/or voluntary experience, education, and skills as employable assets and leverage these to obtain suitable employment that is consistent with their career plans and goals.

This is accomplished by the following strategies:

  • Prepare a Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume based on job research relevant to students’ respective programs
  • Use of social media
  • Prepare a career portfolio
  • Attend a simulated/mock job interview scenario
  • The active assistance of Centennial College Career Services

Semester 2

Assisting with Medications Course

Code: NRG-233

Total Lecture Hours: 8

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open Suggested Material: Mosby’s Textbook for Medication Assistants, 2nd Edition Description: This course introduces the student to the knowledge required to safely and competently assist clients when taking medication, according to their plan of care.

Students will be introduced to common drug classifications, expected outcomes, and basic mathematics associated with medications. As well, students will learn about related legislation and the scope of practice and responsibilities of the Personal Support Worker (PSW).

Concepts in Health Care

Code: HLT-70

Total Lecture Hours: 15

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: Key Concepts in Healthcare Education |ISBN-13: 978-1849200097 | Author: Annette McIntosh-Scott

Description: This functional course will provide an overview of the Ontario Healthcare System.

Students will examine the interdisciplinary role of healthcare professionals. Based on the examination, students will dialogue about current issues and trends that impact the Ontario healthcare system, within the context of sustainability.

Foundations for PSW II

Code: HLT-339

Total Lecture Hours: 14

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open Suggested Material: Integrating a Palliative Approach: Essentials for PSW | ISBN-13: 978-1926923048 | Author: Katherine Murray

Description: This foundational course provides an overview of the Personal Support Worker’s role within the health care system.

Using a variety of strategies such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision making, students will explore concepts such as legislation, quality improvement, food safety, alternative healing, lifelong learning, medication safety, and other skills.

Mental Health and Palliative Care for PSW

Code HLT – 375

Total Lecture Hours: 24

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open Suggested Material: Palliative Care within Mental Health: Ethical Practice | ISBN-13: 978-1138609815 | Author: David B. Cooper

Description: This introductory course combines two separate specialty areas; Palliative Care and Mental Health. Palliative focuses on developing comfort around dying and death.

Using the Hospice Palliative Care Framework, students will explore the various domains of issues encountered by persons living with life-threatening illnesses, and identify strategies to address these issues to support the client and family at the end of life.

Mental health provides a framework for understanding mental health issues. The student will learn about challenges experienced by individuals who are coping with mental health issues such as delirium, dementia, depression, abuse, and other mental health disorders.

The student will also explore best practice strategies for communicating with and caring for individuals and their families in a safe and respectful manner.

PSW Applications and Interventions II

Code NRG – 232

Total Lecture Hours: 30

Lab Hours Per Week: 0

Course Availability: Open

Suggested Material: N/A

Description: This foundational course builds upon the Applications & Interventions I.

This course will continue to discuss body systems, the common diseases associated with each system, and their related interventions. Attitudes and knowledge required to function ethically, safely, and competently will continue to be addressed in this class.

Theoretical concepts and principles discussed in this lecture course will be applied in lab and clinical courses.

PSW Clinical II - Long Term Care Course

Code NRG – 145

Total Lecture Hours: 5 Hours Revisions

Lab Hours Per Week: 85

Course Availability: Open

Description: In this clinical placement, the student will continue to demonstrate classroom theory and principles in the long-term care setting.

Students will also develop competence in therapeutic communication, professional behavior and accountability, personal care interventions, observation, reporting and recording, promotion and maintenance of a safe environment, and participation as multidisciplinary care team members.

PSW Clinical - Community Care

Code NRG – 245

Total Lecture Hours: 4 Hours Revisions

Lab Hours Per Week: 80

Course Availability: Open

Description: In this 4-week placement plus in-class learning, the student will gain experience in the field under the guidance of a preceptor in a community setting.

The student will apply knowledge and skills from theory and lab courses to support clients living in their homes or one of a variety of community settings.

The student will develop confidence, competence, and increasing independence in the following areas: therapeutic communication, professional behavior, personal care interventions, observation, reporting and recording, time management and organization, promotion and maintenance of a safe environment, and participation as a multidisciplinary care team member, according to applicable legislation.

PSW Considerations

Code NRG – 236

Total Lecture Hours: 0

Lab Hours Per Week: 85

Course Availability: Open

Description: The course is designed to prepare the student for a smooth transition from the role of Personal Support Worker student to the role of Personal Support Worker.

In this four-week placement course, the student has the option to be placed in long-term care or a community setting.

Under the guidance of a preceptor, the student will concentrate on clinical practice to consolidate skills while providing client/resident-centered care.

The student will continue to develop confidence, competence, and independence in the following areas: therapeutic communication, professional behavior, personal care interventions, observation, reporting and recording, time management and organization, promotion and maintenance of a safe environment, and participation as a multidisciplinary care team member, according to applicable legislation.

PSW Skills Lab II

Code NRG – 236

Total Lecture Hours: 0

Lab Hours Per Week: 85

Course Availability: Open

Description: This foundational course builds upon PSW Lab 1. The Personal Support Worker student will continue to develop attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to function ethically, safely, and competently in lab and clinical settings.

Simulated patient care situations, case studies, and hands-on application of specific skills will form the basis of this course.

Professional Practice and Simulation

Code NRG – 250

Total Lecture Hours: 5

Lab Hours Per Week: 80

Course Availability: Open

Description: This consolidating course consists of a series of workshops that will prepare students for the Personal Support Worker (PSW) role.

Through simulation-based learning, students will apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program while developing confidence and critical thinking, in order to successfully care for clients in a variety of PSW settings.