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In just one year, Northern’s Personal Support Worker (PSW) program will have you out in the workforce, providing vital care and support that forms the backbone of community health and wellbeing. In a program that promotes awareness, sensitivity, and respect for clients’ unique needs, you’ll develop a therapeutic and helpful approach in assisting your clients.

Personal support workers are unregulated healthcare providers who work under supervision.  As a vital member of the healthcare team, they follow clearly identified care plans and the established policies and procedures of their work agencies.

Personal support workers assist with routine activities of daily living (including bathing and perineal care to cleanse the body and genitals of bodily fluids, toileting, dressing, transferring, and eating) and household management. They are responsible for practicing professionally by creating, promoting, and maintaining safe and comfortable environments for clients, families, and others. They often have the most contact with clients and develop therapeutic relationships through trust, respect, and understanding. The attitude and approach of personal support workers, along with their practical skills, are beneficial to the health, comfort, and safety of their clients. Personal support workers require strong communication and observation skills to report changes in their clients’ conditions to the family and the healthcare team.

Recognizing the importance and value of the personal support worker role, Northern’s program prepares students to develop a broad range of abilities and skills. In the classroom and our state-of-the-art practice labs, students learn and practice personal care skills, develop a solid code of ethics, refine their communication skills, and master the medical terminology needed on the job. This program was developed as part of Ontario’s plan to support residents and connect them with the care needed at home and in their communities.

After two semesters of classroom learning and clinical practice, students complete a placement in a long-term care facility or home care agency. Students will graduate with an Ontario College Certificate – their gateway to a rewarding career.

Program Delivery

Northern’s Personal Support Worker program requires most courses to be taken in-person and on campus due to the nature of laboratory and clinical learning. Some part-time options are available and there are a number of courses that can be taken online, but students are required to attend in-person classes and placements to graduate from the program. Contact the program coordinator to help chose your best options and to plan your courses. Note that online courses are not part of our full-time program but may provide transfer credits for course equivalencies.