Two Similar Roles in Different Work Settings

Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and home health and social services aides support people who need assistance with activities of daily living.

The main difference between the two roles is where they work.

Patient Service Associates primarily work in health and social services facilities, while home health and social services aides mainly assist in people's homes.

CDI College's Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions – 5905 DVS program prepares students for both of these roles.

Where Does a Patient Service Associate Work?

Patient Service Associates may work in hospitals, residential and long-term care centres, rehabilitation centres, and other health and social services facilities.

They support people with a variety of activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, mobility, and mealtimes, depending on each person's needs.

For example, a Patient Service Associate may support someone hospitalized after surgery or provide daily assistance to a person living in a residential long-term care centre.

👉 Learn more: Why Do Patient Service Associates Work in Such a Variety of Settings?

Where Does a Home Health and Social Services Aide Work?

Home health and social services aides primarily work in people's homes, including through services provided by local community service centres (CLSCs).

They travel directly to the homes of people who need assistance due to illness, disability, or loss of independence.

This work requires considerable adaptability because every home, every person, and every situation is different.

👉 Learn more: Why Is Home Care Playing a Growing Role in Healthcare?

Patient Service Associate or Home Health and Social Services Aide: A Practical Example

In a residential and long-term care centre, an older adult may need help with certain activities of daily living. A Patient Service Associate provides that assistance within the long-term care environment.

At home, a person experiencing a loss of independence may receive services that help them continue living there. A home health and social services aide travels to the person's home and provides the required assistance.

This is where the distinction becomes clearest: Patient Service Associates primarily work in healthcare facilities, while home health and social services aides primarily assist in people's homes.

What Do the Two Roles Have in Common?

Although their work environments differ, Patient Service Associates and home health and social services aides share many responsibilities.

Both support people with activities of daily living, encourage independence, communicate with the people they assist and their families, and collaborate with other health and social services professionals.

Training That Prepares Students for Both Roles

CDI College's Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions – 5905 DVS program prepares students for the realities of working as Patient Service Associates and home health and social services aides.

Through hands-on training and practicums in professional settings, students develop the skills needed to provide assistance both in healthcare facilities and in people's homes.

Explore Further

👉 Why Is a Person-Centred Approach at the Heart of a Patient Service Associate's Work?

👉 Working in Long-Term Care: What Can You Expect?

👉 Why Do Patient Service Associates Need to Explain Care Before Providing It?

👉 Learn More About CDI College's Support for Assistive Services in Health and Social Services Institutions – 5905 DVS Program