CDI College has given me the opportunity to further my education and the chance to start my new career. I have always been interested in pursuing a career in the health care field and the hands-on/practical training you get at CDI College gives you a better feel of things that a text book can’t give you. My instructors were helpful, gave clear instructions and were always available if I needed them. - Domingo V., CDI College Graduate
Careers in the healthcare industry are rewarding and always in demand. The Personal Support Worker program will teach students the skills and traits they need to excel as a personal support worker in a private home or residential care facility.
Students will learn to meet the needs of patients in order to improve their quality of day-to-day living. They will learn about promoting emotional, physical and mental well-being, as well as working with other members of the health care team.
Students will also learn to identify and respond to the physical and emotional needs of clients/residents. Basic skills acquired include promoting physical and mental activation, observing and communicating with the client, handling specialized equipment and providing personal and physical care.
This program is 34 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Home Health Care Agencies
- Retirement Homes/Residences
- Hospices
- Group Homes
- Adult and Child Daycare Centres
Personal Support Worker - Ontario
Program Courses
The program outline below is for Ontario .
| Code | Course Name | Hours |
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- This course promotes understanding of the effects of disability, disease or special conditions so as to be able to provide appropriate assistance.
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- Topics in this course include identifying purposes of medication, the required instruction/information about medications to be administered, and cautions with regard to medications.
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- Practice good body mechanics in the many aspects of work performed to ensure safety and comfort to the client and self. Students review the musculoskeletal system, practice proper body mechanics, prevent contractures, learn to transfer and ambulance independent and dependent clients and more.
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- Students gain knowledge about the structure, function, aging changes and common conditions of the skin.
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- An understanding of the influence of cultural values, practices, religious beliefs, as well as the effects of illness, stress and disability on family relationships will be emphasized.
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- This course introduces the concept of dying as a part of life and the possible impact of life-threatening illness on the person and their family.
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- This part of the program explores disorders of the Nervous System. Students will gain knowledge, skill and comprehension of the interventions necessary to care for clients with cognitive and mental disabilities.
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- Students learn to assist the client with their nutritional needs, household activities and household management according to client preferences. They review the digestive system, the nutrition principles.
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- This part of the program introduces students to the client/resident as a unique individual whose experience, family, and freedom of choice is an integral part of how they see and receive health care services.
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- This part of the program focuses on the communication and interpersonal skills essential to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, clients’ family members, and other members of the health care team.
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- In order to graduate and receive a diploma, students must complete 355 hours of clinical training. This component of the program ensures that students will gain valuable hands-on experience, putting into practice the theory and skills gained in the classroom. Students are placed with the instructor for 180 hours of supervised clinical placement in a long-term care facility. Once the supervised clinical placement is successfully completed, students must undertake a total of 175 hours with a preceptor. Forty of those hours must be in a long-term care facility and the remaining 135 hours must be with clients who require assistance with their activities of daily living in the community such as in a home care setting or in a retirement home.
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- This section of the program stresses to the student how to provide sufficient support to assist clients to do what they wish without inhibiting them. Students also learn about accurately communicating support/care plan information to the client, including charting and computer documentation.
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- This part of the program provides perspective into the working environment and the demands faced by the PSW.
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- In this segment of the program students learn to identify unsafe situations and take steps to reduce and prevent injury to the client, themselves and other members of the health care team.