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  • Personal Support Worker (weekend delivery)

Personal Support Worker (weekend delivery)


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Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
PSFL
Next Intake
September 2024
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Two semesters
Delivery
More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person. Learn more.
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Ask a current Student
PROGRAM
Information
Nights

January 16 & 17 Register Now for Program Information Nights

Program Overview

Personal hygiene, mobility, preparing meals and taking essential medication are elements of daily life that most people take for granted, but there are many individuals who are unable to perform these tasks independently. The personal support worker (PSW) is the front-line care provider whose responsibilities focus on the provision of personal care and support that include activities of daily living with client populations across all institutional, community care and service settings. PSWs provide compassionate, client-centred care to enhance and maintain the quality of everyday life. Through dedicated faculty, enhanced curriculum, skills and certifications obtained in the course of study, and implementation of several interprofessional education and simulation opportunities, our students graduate well-prepared and job-ready. In fact, our recent PSW student and graduate satisfaction rate was 100 per cent (2018-2019).

WEEKEND DELIVERY FORMAT

The weekend delivery format is designed and intended for students looking for more flexible opportunities to study full-time and benefit from on-campus learning experiences, without having to attend traditional weekday in-person classes. Theory-based courses will be offered in a flexible hybrid delivery model (a combination of in-person and real-time remote learning), so students can complete the program while continuing to work. With weekend delivery, labs are still offered in-person and supported to the same standards as our traditional weekday classes. Weekend instruction will be delivered in a flexible format with remote and in-person options through a combination of real-time (synchronous) and self-directed (asynchronous) learning. Field placements are completed on the weekend.

The weekend delivery format will cover the same material as the traditional weekday program. To learn more about the traditional weekday program, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/PSWK.

Ask a current Student

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
January 2024SuspendedClosedApply now
September 2024OpenClosedApply now
January 2025OpenClosedApply now
ProgramHighlights
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
Durham College announces new weekend delivery for business and PSW programs
Durham College students brush up on best practices
DC and SIM-one educate through simulation
Durham College 2024 Viewbook
Lead the way
2024 Viewbook
Read Now
Other Resources
  • Attend a Program Information Webinar
  • Financial Aid Information
Hands On
Practical Experience
Helping Others

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Recommended

  • Grade 11 or 12 biology or biology upgrade (C, M or U)
  • Keyboarding/basic computer skills (highly recommended)

SEPTEMBER, JANUARY AND MAY INTAKE:

  • Students who begin classes in September will complete Semester 1 in the fall and Semester 2 in the winter/spring semester
  • Students who begin classes in January will complete Semester 1 from January to April and Semester 2 from May to August.
  • Students who begin classes in May will complete Semester 1 from May to August and Semester 2 from September until the end of December

Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $14,530 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 1111)
  • Interpersonal Communication In Health Promotion (HLTH 1112)
  • Health Challenges and Support Special Needs (HLTH 1113)
  • Fundamentals Of Hospice Palliative Care (HLTH 1114)
  • PSW Foundations (PSFL 1100)
  • Personal Support Worker Practice Lab (PSFL 1101)
  • Professional Practice Preparation (PSFL 1102)
  • Mental Health Challenges (PSYC 1118)

View all courses

Hands On
Hands On
Practical Experience
Practical Experience
Helping Others
Helping Others

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

View all recommendations

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Personal Support Worker
 

View all career options

Connect with us

I AM A CANADIAN APPLICANT

Contact recruitment
Live Chat
905.721.3126

Fill out the form to get more information on your program of interest, upcoming events, and how to become a Durham College student. By submitting your information below, you consent to Durham College contacting you via email and/or SMS with a minimum of 4 messages per month. You may withdraw consent at any time.

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I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

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905.721.3000

I AM AN INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

Contact
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905.721.2000 ext. 7697

I HAVE ALREADY APPLIED

Please contact the international office.

Program Details

Personal support workers are valued members of the health-care team. As a graduate, you will have the enhanced skills required to provide compassionate, client-focused care with daily living activities including:

  • Assistance with medications
  • Nutrition support
  • Mobility and restorative activities
  • Palliative and end of life care
  • Enhanced certificates including:
    • GPA training (Dementia Care)
    • Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care
    • FEED “Facilitating effective eating in dysphagia”

IN THE NEWS

  • DC hosts minister of health Rona Ambrose
  • Durham College students brush up on best practices
  • DC and SIM-one educate through simulation
  • Living lab at Whitby campus inspires versatility

    Program Learning Outcomes

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. Assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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*.

    Admission Requirements

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
    • Grade 12 English (C or U)

    Recommended

    • Grade 11 or 12 biology or biology upgrade (C, M or U)
    • Keyboarding/basic computer skills (highly recommended)

    SEPTEMBER, JANUARY AND MAY INTAKE:

    • Students who begin classes in September will complete Semester 1 in the fall and Semester 2 in the winter/spring semester
    • Students who begin classes in January will complete Semester 1 from January to April and Semester 2 from May to August.
    • Students who begin classes in May will complete Semester 1 from May to August and Semester 2 from September until the end of December

    Courses

    The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

    Semester 1

    • Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 1111)
    • Interpersonal Communication In Health Promotion (HLTH 1112)
    • Health Challenges and Support Special Needs (HLTH 1113)
    • Fundamentals Of Hospice Palliative Care (HLTH 1114)
    • PSW Foundations (PSFL 1100)
    • Personal Support Worker Practice Lab (PSFL 1101)
    • Professional Practice Preparation (PSFL 1102)
    • Mental Health Challenges (PSYC 1118)

    Semester 2

    • Pharmacology for PSWs (PHRM 1205)
    • Practicum (PSFL 1200)

    Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

    Course delivery

    More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person.

    The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

    In-person:
    Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
    Flexible:
    Course is taught in one of DC’s technology-enabled learning classrooms and online at the same time. Students can choose to attend in-person or online.
    Hybrid:
    Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
    Online:
    Fully remote course delivery.

    Costs

    Career Options

    WHAT YOU COULD BE:

    • Personal Support Worker
     

    WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

    • Community service agencies
    • Group homes
    • Home care agencies
    • Hospitals
    • Long-term care facilities
    • Retirement homes

    Practicum

    Part of your training includes the opportunity to practice what you learn through supervised placements in institutional and community settings. Practicum experiences take place throughout Durham Region and you are responsible for your transportation to and from your practicum agency.

    Your practicum will enable you to:

    • Become job ready
    • Be sought out by local employers
    • Provide care for clients in health-care facilities under the direction and supervision of experienced faculty
    • Learn in a state-of-the-art simulation lab and health care learning centre
    • Obtain recognized certificates including Palliative Care, St. Peter’s Feeding and GPA training
    • Experience small group instruction in practicum and laboratory settings
    • Write a comprehensive exam

    PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

    Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications.  Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes.  These costs include:

    • Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and ESPC verification partner.
    • Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

    It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:

    • A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. CRCs with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You may be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS to meet field placement agency requirements
    • Current Level C CPR from a recognized provider and mask fit testing from a recognized provider.
    • Current Emergency First Aid Certification from a recognized provider
    • Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider

    Links:

    • Personal Support Worker ESPC Information Package
    • Verified ESPC User Guide

    Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

    Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

    Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

    Technology Recommendations

    To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

    Processor: i3
    RAM: 4GB
    Storage: 256GB SSD
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
    Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
    Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
    Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
    Internet connection

    Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk  or the school office.

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    Land Acknowledgement

    Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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