PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
Program Outline
Major: PSWR
Length: One Year
Delivery: 2 Semesters
Credential: Ontario College Certificate
Effective: 2011 - 2012
Location*: Barrie, Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville, Owen Sound and South Georgian Bay
Start: Fal + Winter* + Summer*
*To confirm location and/or January and May starts, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Students requesting a Vulnerable Sector Screening Check from the OPP, must complete this Request Form
Description
This two semester program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide support services to people living at home and in long term care facilities and to function as integral members of the health care team. Upon graduation from this program, the graduate will have demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate with clients, families and members of the health care team. They will also have demonstrated their ability to provide safe and competent care for individual clients who are experiencing physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural challenges.
Personal Support Workers are unregulated health care providers who work under the supervision of a regulated health care professional or in the supported independent living environment under the direction of the client. They provide clearly identified personal care and they facilitate routine activities of daily living in order to assist their clients in being as healthy and as independent as possible.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Personal Support Worker program find employment in retirement homes, nursing homes, homes for the aged, various community agencies (private and public) as well as in independent practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- work effectively as a team member and demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the other members of the health care team;
- provide supportive services for individuals and families from a variety of cultures and diverse backgrounds fostering trust, respect and individual choice;
- practice under the supervision/direction of the employer, client or family caregiver within their role and the legislation governing the setting in which they work;
- provide professional, safe and effective support to individuals and their families in all activities of daily living;
- support the application of the concepts of health promotion, maintenance and rehabilitation;
- recognize own strengths and limitations and seek out guidance appropriately;
- recognize and report changes in the client's condition, health state, situation, and/or routine activities of living and report these changes to the appropriate member of the health care team;
- recognize indicators of abuse and respond appropriately.
Program Progression
Fall Start
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Winter Start
Sem 1 - Winter 2012
Sem 2 - Summer 2012
Summer Start
Sem 1 - Summer 2012
Sem 2 - Fall 2012
Note: To confirm Winter (January) or Summer (May) start, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Admission Requirements
Applicants following the OSS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) or equivalent. Strongly recommended, and will be used in selection: Grade 12 English ( C ) or ( U ) (ENG4C, ENG4U). Also recommended: Grade 11 College Biology (SBI3C)
Clinical Placement Requirements
Completion of the college Clinical Preparedness Permit.
Current certification in Standard First Aid and CPR: Health Care Provider - Level HCP
Employers who provide clinical placements may require a vulnerable sector screening for criminal offences. An unpardoned criminal record may result in inability to participate in clinical courses and prevent the student from graduating.
Applicants who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes, and who lack the academic entrance qualifications, may be considered for entrance to an appropriate post-secondary diploma or certificate program as mature applicants. Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counselling, Communication Placement Assessment (CPA), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience. Some programs also have specific prerequisite requirements that must be met prior to admission. Mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites. Those applying as mature students and having no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if required, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driver's licence. Refer to Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of the Academic Calendar for further details.
Graduation Requirements
8 Mandatory Courses
1 Communications Course
1 General Education Course
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course, in each semester.
General Education Courses
To be chosen from the College list of General Education courses. PSYL1001 Introduction to Psychology is strongly recommended.
Mandatory
PSWR1013 Foundations of Personal Support
PSWR1014 Body Structure and Function
PSWR1015 Supportive Care
PSWR1017 Health Challenges
PSWR1018 Human Development and Family Dynamics
PSWR1019 Neurological Health Challenges
PSWR1023 PSW Practice 1
PSWR1024 PSW Practice 2
The descriptions that follow provide brief outlines of the courses. Please note that some courses have prerequisite and/or corequisite requirements not shown here, that need to be met in order to enroll in the course. You will be advised of any requisite requirements during the registration process, or you can contact the academic area for further details.
Communications
COMM1000 College Communications
COMM1001 Communications at Work
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COMM1000 College Communications - 42.0 Hours
Effective communication skills are essential for success in college and career. This entry level course promotes development of college level skills related to information literacy and current communication technology. Students focus on writing, researching, presenting, editing and proofreading. They incorporate writing conventions, analyze and evaluate information, and prepare and deliver ideas orally. In addition, they edit and proofread their own and others' writing.
COMM1001 Communications at Work - 42.0 Hours
Students develop their communication skills for the workplace. Using available technology, they research, write and edit work-related correspondence and short reports, individually and collaboratively. With audio-visual support, they prepare and deliver professional presentations that have vocational emphasis. In addition, students complete other communication tasks specific to their vocational areas.
PSWR1013 Foundations of Personal Support - 42.0 Hours
This course introduces students to the role and professional expectations of the Personal Support Worker, including their specific role on the health care team. Content will include interpersonal and team building skills, legal responsibilities and legislation, and documentation. This course also introduces the concept of individuality and diversity of all persons.
PSWR1014 Body Structure and Function - 42.0 Hours
This course examines the normal anatomy and physiology of the human body using a body systems approach and how the body maintains homeostatic balance. The physical changes associated with the normal aging process are also discussed.
PSWR1015 Supportive Care - 42.0 Hours
This course will present the principles behind meeting the needs of clients in facilitating success in activities of daily living. This course addresses care planning in terms of personal hygiene, mobility, nutritional and safety needs (household, physical, psychosocial) with a focus on the autonomy of the client and on preserving the dignity, privacy and support of the client's health care choices. Proper body mechanics and the specialized equipment used for these activities are discussed. The course also introduces the student to infection control principles and specialized adaptations needed in the home in order to provide effective supportive care.
PSWR1017 Health Challenges - 42.0 Hours
This course explores common health challenges and discusses specific disease processes, long term health problems of clients of all ages and disability issues. The concepts of health maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration are explored. Students will identify the purposes of medication, required instruction/information about medications to be administered, and cautions with regard to medications. Students will develop and demonstrate skill in reading and interpreting information on prescription containers, and demonstrate assistance with oral/topical medications as well as eye, ear, and nose drops.
PSWR1018 Human Development and Family Dynamics - 42.0 Hours
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the changes in physical and psychosocial development from infancy to late maturity (elderly). Issues such as abusive behaviours and their impact, sexuality issues and long term disability are also addressed. The student examines his/her values, beliefs and biases in relation to cultural diversity. Through examination of the role and make up of families the student gains an understanding of the effects of illness, stress and disability on relationships. Students examine the rights and choices made by individuals and their families and they will analyze their personal feelings about death and dying and their role in providing support.
PSWR1019 Neurological Health Challenges - 42.0 Hours
This course explores common neurological health challenges and discusses specific disease processes. This course introduces the student to common psychiatric conditions, neurological conditions, substance abuse issues, cognitive impairment and sensory deficit concerns. The implications of long term health issues and disability issues of clients of all ages are discussed. The concepts of health maintenance, rehabilitation and restoration are explored. Students learn about behavioral changes, what these changes mean, and the impact of the changes on the client and on those who are supporting the client. They also learn about when to report these changes to other members of the health care team.
PSWR1023 PSW Practice 1 - 165.0 Hours
Students are provided with the opportunity to practice the "hands on" skills needed to assist their clients in their activities of daily living. The focus for the lab portion of this course is on building the required psychomotor skills. In the clinical setting, students are provided with opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, skill and competence to provide safe and effective care to clients in a community living situation. The student is under the guidance and supervision of the Agency or Client and College during this practicum experience.
PSWR1024 PSW Practice 2 - 210.0 Hours
For the first 95 hours of this clinical placement, students are provided with supervised opportunities to demonstrate knowledge, skill and ability (competency level) to provide safe and effective care to clients in a community living situation. The student is under the guidance and supervision of the Agency or Client and College during this practicum experience. During the last 115 hours of this clinical placement, students continue to hone their care planning, execution of care and analysis of care under the direct supervision of a preceptor within the community facility/agency who communicates with a college mentor regarding student progress.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: March 08, 2012.