Personal Support Worker

A 20 Week Certificate Program
Program Code: PSW3Campus Code: SC, TC, TS, LC
SC - SimcoeJanuary Admission
TC - St. ThomasSeptember/February Admission
TS - TillsonburgNovember Admission
LC - LondonApril Admission

Career Development in Business and Health: (519) - 452 - 4255

Note: This program is offered at the following locations:

  • Oxford Street Campus in London: (519) - 452 - 4255
  • James N. Allan Campus in Simcoe: (519) - 426 - 8260
  • St. Thomas/Elgin Campus in St. Thomas: (519) - 633 - 2030
  • Tillsonburg Centre in Tillsonburg: (519) - 842 - 9000
(This program is also available on a part time basis at the Oxford Street Campus in London, the St. Thomas/Elgin Campus in St. Thomas, the Tillsonburg Centre in Tillsonburg and the Strathroy Centre in Strathroy.)

The Personal Support Worker program is a single training program that consolidates and replaces Health Care Aide training and Home Support Worker training Levels 1, 2, and 3. The Personal Support Worker provides long term care and support services to people living at home and in long term care facilities. There are two exit points from this program. After completion of 110 hours of theory and an 80 hour practicum, individuals who wish to become personal attendants or homemakers can exit the program at this point and receive the Personal Attendant Certificate. Upon completion of the entire 500 hour program the Personal Support Worker Certificate will be awarded. This program will prepare the worker beyond dexterity skills and emphasizes the value of their role and reflects true sensitivity and respect for the consumer/client. Personal Attendants/Support Workers work under the direction of a consumer or regulated health professional to assist individuals and their families in various life stages with activities of daily living.

PSW31 Level 1 Hrs/Wk
HSCI011 Personal Care Skills 1.2
HSCI014 Work Role and Human Relations 10.2
HSCI015 Environmental Safety 8.0

PSW32 Level 2 Hrs/Wk
HSCI012 Ongoing Health Challenges 3.1
HSCI013 Maintaining Support 1.6
HSCI016 Home Management Skills 1.2
HSCI017 Optimizing Mental Health Functioning 1.4
HSCI018 PSW Community Practicum 12.0
HSCI019 PSW community Practicum 5.7

Required Academic Preparation; one of the following:

  • OSSD with courses at the General Level
  • BTSD-Level 4 Certificate
  • Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
  • Mature applicant with appropriate preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
  • Grade 12 English
  • Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology
  • courses in Family Studies
Recommended Personal Preparation
  • Knowlege of and interest in working with seniors and families.
  • Development of personal responsibility and emotional maturity by participating in social organizations interested in helping people.
  • Ability to cooperate with others in the delivery of health care.
Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:

  • Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  • Receipt of Application by February 1st.
  • Achievement in the required academic preparation
  • Achievement in the recommended academic preparation
Note:
  • Applicants are advised that most clinical placement agencies may require criminal reference checks to be conducted prior to placement of the student. Certain criminal convictions for which pardons have not been received may or may not permit placement in these agencies. In the latter cases, program completion may not be possible. Any questions regarding criminal reference checks may be directed to the Chair of the Career Development in Business and Health Division at the College.
  • If you are currently on E.I. or have collected E.I. in the last three years, or maternity benefits in the last five years, you may qualify for financial assistance.

    First Aid/Basic Rescuer Certificates

    Applicants who accept admission to the program will be required to possess a standard First Aid course certificate (either St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross) and a Basic Rescuer course certificate (C.P.R.) valid for the period of clinical placement.
    Note: certification normally expires after a one year period.

    Evidence of Good Health

    Applicants who accept admission o the program must possess good health and must present written evidence of this as a condition of registration. This will include a medical review, immunization and T.B Test (and a Chest X-ray if the T.B. Test is positive). In addition, all applicants who accept admission to the program must provide evidence that they have received an Influenza vaccination prior to clinical placement.

    Advanced Standing

    Applicants currently employed as a Home Support Worker or Health Care Aide may be eligible for prior learning assessment and receive credit for part of the course work.

    Approximate Costs (2001/2002)

    Fees for: Levels 1 & 2
    $1117.55*
     
    Books and Supplies: $1109.00** plus Optional PSW Pin $12.70; Police Check $30.00; Hepatitis B Vaccination (highly recommended - some placements require) $150.00
     
    *     fees may vary by campus
    **  expenses may vary by campus and travel for placement

    Academic Program Eligibility Criteria Effective September 2003

    One of:

    • OSSSD with courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O), stream
    • BTSD - Level IV Certificate
    • Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
    • Mature Applicant with appropriate preparation
    AND
    • Possession of a Standard First Aid Course Certificate (either St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross) and a Basic Rescuer course Certificate (C.P.R.) valid for the period of clinical placement.
    • Evidence of good health
    Recommended Courses
    • Any Grade 12 English (C), (U), or (O)
    • Any Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
    • Grade 11 Health Care (C) OR Grade 12 Issues in Human Growth and Development (U/C)

    Application Procedure

    In order to apply for admission to the program an applicant must complete an "Application for Admission to Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology" form and submit this form to the:

    Ontario College Application Services
    P.O. Box 810 Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6M4
    1-888-892-2228
    Application Forms and Applicant Guidebooks are available at Ontario Secondary Schools, at Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and at the Ontario College Application Services office.

    Admission to the College

    Complete information concerning admission to programs at Fanshawe College may be found in the Central Admission Publication located in the Office of the Registrar, Fanshawe College.
    The College reserves the right to make changes in the information on this site without prior notice.
    The College reserves the right to cancel at any time a program, course, program major or option, change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered, or withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the college exercises such rights, the College's sole liability will be the return of any monies paid by the applicant or student to the College.