Personal Support Worker

Welcome to the Program

Algonquin College’s Personal Support Worker program will teach you how to support individuals from a variety of age groups and individual needs. Through theory lessons, lab practice, and clinical/community experience, students will learn to deliver care and use supportive skills in personal care, home management, and social and recreational activities.

Mobile Learning This is a Mobile Learning Program.

As a student in this program you will require a mobile computing device, for example a laptop or tablet computer. Review the Mobile Learning requirements >>

Ontario College Certificate
1 Year

Program Code: 6307X01FPT
Academic Year: 2012/2013

Our Program

This one-year Ontario College Certificate program provides students with the knowledge and practical techniques to work as a personal care provider in a wide range of health care environments. Through a combination of theory, lab practice, and clinical/community experience, students are equipped with the skills to deliver individual care to clients of varying ages and to support their health care needs.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Enjoy the challenges of working with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
  • Are willing to meet the needs of an aging population.
  • Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Like working with others as a member of a team.

Your Career

Graduates may find employment as personal support workers functioning under the supervision of registered nursing personnel in retirement homes, long-term care facilities and community health agencies.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Level: 01 Hours
ENL9212 Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments. Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments. 45.0
HLT9801 Within a simulated environment, the student practises the skills of infection control, body mechanics, positioning and mobilizing a client. The student also practises supportive activities of daily living, as well as the associated documentation activities.

Co-requisites: ENL9212 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 		Lab Skills for the Personal Support Worker I Within a simulated environment, the student practises the skills of infection control, body mechanics, positioning and mobilizing a client. The student also practises supportive activities of daily living, as well as the associated documentation activities.

Co-requisites: ENL9212 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 		48.0
HLT9802 Normal aging versus dementia is discussed including secondary influences along with a focus on assessment and diagnosis. The main emphasis is on philosophy of care, i.e. providing a holistic model of care within the existing medical mode. Appropriate physical and emotional environment, effects of disease on the caregiver and the client, the family unit, the role of research on caregiving and the importance of ongoing education to maintain competence, are among the topics discussed.

Co-requisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9806 		Overview of Dementia Care Normal aging versus dementia is discussed including secondary influences along with a focus on assessment and diagnosis. The main emphasis is on philosophy of care, i.e. providing a holistic model of care within the existing medical mode. Appropriate physical and emotional environment, effects of disease on the caregiver and the client, the family unit, the role of research on caregiving and the importance of ongoing education to maintain competence, are among the topics discussed.

Co-requisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9806 		24.0
HLT9806 The role and scope of practice of the personal support worker (PSW) are introduced. The PSW's primary focus is to assist clients to perform their daily personal care activities. Students become familiar with theoretical concepts of human needs, as well as the principles of practical skills. Communication and interpersonal skills, essential to maintaining effective relationships with clients, are explored. Introduction to Care for the Personal Support Worker The role and scope of practice of the personal support worker (PSW) are introduced. The PSW's primary focus is to assist clients to perform their daily personal care activities. Students become familiar with theoretical concepts of human needs, as well as the principles of practical skills. Communication and interpersonal skills, essential to maintaining effective relationships with clients, are explored. 104.0
HLT9807 Students are introduced to anatomy and physiology and they gain a basic understanding of the normal body structure and function. Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for the Personal Support Worker Students are introduced to anatomy and physiology and they gain a basic understanding of the normal body structure and function. 45.0
HLT9810 A supervised practical experience provides the student with an opportunity to apply the principles of personal care with the emphasis on the needs of the individual client.

Prerequisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 		Clinical Placement I A supervised practical experience provides the student with an opportunity to apply the principles of personal care with the emphasis on the needs of the individual client.

Prerequisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 		68.0
Level: 02 Hours
HLT9803 Students study common health issues as they affect the individual and family across the lifespan. Students are introduced to the responsibilities and roles of the PSW in assisting with administering of medications. Students also study the concepts of death and dying as part of the lifespan and the impact of life threatening illness on the person and their families.

Prerequisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 and HLT9810

Co-requisites: HLT9804 and PSY9800 		Advanced Skills for the Personal Support Worker Students study common health issues as they affect the individual and family across the lifespan. Students are introduced to the responsibilities and roles of the PSW in assisting with administering of medications. Students also study the concepts of death and dying as part of the lifespan and the impact of life threatening illness on the person and their families.

Prerequisites: ENL9212 and HLT9801 and HLT9802 and HLT9806 and HLT9810

Co-requisites: HLT9804 and PSY9800 		142.0
HLT9804 Within a simulated environment, the student practises the essential skills, such as vital signs, measurement of height and weight, elimination care, assisting with medications, isolation techniques, and care of a client with IV therapy and oxygen therapy.

Co-requisites: HLT9803 and SOC9800 		Lab Skills for the Personal Support Worker II Within a simulated environment, the student practises the essential skills, such as vital signs, measurement of height and weight, elimination care, assisting with medications, isolation techniques, and care of a client with IV therapy and oxygen therapy.

Co-requisites: HLT9803 and SOC9800 		24.0
HLT9805 Students demonstrate the accumulated knowledge and skills they have learned throughout the program.

Prerequisites: HLT9803 and HLT9804 and HLT9811 and PSY9800 		Consolidation for the Personal Support Worker Students demonstrate the accumulated knowledge and skills they have learned throughout the program.

Prerequisites: HLT9803 and HLT9804 and HLT9811 and PSY9800 		80.0
HLT9811 A supervised practical experience provides the student with a clinical opportunity to organize care for clients, and skills learned in classroom theory and laboratory.

Prerequisites: HLT9803 and HLT9804 and PSY9800 		Clinical Placement II A supervised practical experience provides the student with a clinical opportunity to organize care for clients, and skills learned in classroom theory and laboratory.

Prerequisites: HLT9803 and HLT9804 and PSY9800 		72.0
PSY9800 Students gain an understanding of the following important concepts: the biological basics of behaviour, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thought and language development, motivation and emotion, personality, intelligence and assessment, health, stress and coping, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment and social psychology. Introduction to Psychology Students gain an understanding of the following important concepts: the biological basics of behaviour, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thought and language development, motivation and emotion, personality, intelligence and assessment, health, stress and coping, psychological disorders, approaches to treatment and social psychology. 45.0

Fees & Expenses

Tuition Fees: $1,266.75 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term.*

Incidental Fees: $10 in Level 01.

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $200.50 per term.

Student Commons/Auditorium Fee: $22 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $117.02 paid once annually.**

A $40 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/support/IT-Fee/index-it-fee.htm

**Students with coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the request. This request will have to be made annually.

Books and supplies cost approximately $600, uniforms $200.

Admission Requirements 

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
  • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
  • General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $40 (subject to change) will be charged.
Program Eligibility
  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Upon acceptance into the program, the following requirements must be met. Failure to complete these requirements will prevent students from participating in the clinical placement component of the program.

  • Accepted applicants must be in good health and submit a Health Assessment Form and an Immunization Form prior to week 2 of classes.
  • A current Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certificate is required prior to the beginning of Clinical Placement I.

Police Records Check Documentation:
Successful completion of clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Personal Support Worker program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.

Clinical Placement Eligibility:
Clinical placements in long-term care facilities require students to have a flu vaccine and up to date vaccinations. To be eligible to participate in Clinical Placements students must have successfully completed all courses that term.

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.

It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Coordinator.

Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College Heritage Institute
7 Craig Street
Perth, ON K7H 1X7
Telephone: 613-267-2859

Additional Information

This Full-time program is also offered on the Pembroke and Woodroffe Campuses. While the learning outcomes at the Perth, Pembroke and Woodroffe Campuses are the same, the curriculum order and subject delivery are reflective of the local circumstances which affect program delivery.

If you possess qualifications beyond the entry-level of your program (such as successful completion of another college, university or professional
association course), you may be eligible for a Transfer of Credit (or exemption) from an individual course.

This is a physically demanding program; while on placement, students are required to lift and move clients in long-term care settings.

It is highly recommended that students entering this program have basic computer skills.

The Perth Campus is an elearning environment; to ensure your success as a student, we recommend that you bring a current laptop computer to support your studies.

For more information or to apply for a Transfer of Credit, please contact the Registrar's Office at 613-267-2859.

Upon completion of this program, graduates may have the opportunity to qualify for courses to bridge from Personal Support Worker to Practical Nurse and/or specialty courses, such as Pediatric Health Care Aide.

Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The College reserves the right to modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time