Skip to main content

Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program

Description

  • Full Personal Support Worker (PSW) certification program, certified by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, with on-the-job training, offered as co-operative education (co-op)
  • This program includes the following components:
    • 3 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits (theory, 330 hours, live virtual or in-person)
    • 3 OSSD credits (co-op, 330 hours)
      • 1 OSSD credit - supervised clinical (110 hours incorporated into 3 theory credit timeline)
      • 2 OSSD credits - community placement (220 hours completed after)
    • Will include a placement in a long-term care facility as well as a community placement in a group home, adult day program, community health agency, respite care facility or an assisted living facility

Program Cost

The Ministries of Education and Long-Term Care have provided funding to cover the tuition cost for students. Valued at $1500.

For more information, please email [email protected].

This funding covers costs such as:
 
  • Textbook
  • Classroom and laboratory instruction
  • Supplies
  • All certifications
  • CPR and First Aid Certificate
  • N95 Mask Fitting
  • WHIMIS Training
  • St. Peter's Hospital Dining Feeding Certification
  • Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA®) in Dementia Care Certification 
  • Palliative Care Certification
  • Safe Food Handling Certification 
  • Metal Health First Aid
  • Ontario's Just Clean Your Hand Certificate 
  • OLTCA Pin (registry list if successful in the course) – presented at graduation
 
The program may have guest speakers that may cover the following topics: ALS, Mental Health, Heart and Stroke, Diabetes, etc. Also, included in this fee is a name tag that you will be required to wear daily.
 

Program Information

The Avon Maitland DSB PSW program adheres to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities PSW Training Standard and issues an Ontario Training Program Certificate which is a post-secondary level certificate for the PSW program.

Admission Requirements
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Resident of Ontario
  • Must have reliable transportation to be able to commute to lab and placement
  • Be able to work early mornings, afternoons, and weekends at co-op placement as required
  • Have reliable access to the internet and a computer 
  • Have a fitness level necessary to perform the duties required of a PSW 
  • Provide copies of all documents requested below
  • All applicants must undergo a literacy assessment, to be completed in person at a CEL location, and an online interview and will be notified of final acceptance into the program
 
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION DOES NOT MEAN ACCEPTANCE

Documents Required During Application

  • Proof of residency (must provide one: driver's license, tax bill, lease agreement, utility bill, etc.)
  • A copy of your secondary school transcript
  • Proof of Canadian Citizenship. If you are a non-Canadian citizen you will need to complete the “Confirmation of Residency and Eligibility Form” at registration. This will be examined by a school board official to verify eligibility
  • If English is not your first language: proof of Canadian Language Benchmark Level
 

Documents to be Submitted After Registration

  • Clear Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). This screening must include no convictions including pending convictions. Failure to produce a clear VSC will result in being unable to fulfill the requirements of the PSW program due to the inability to secure a placement for clinical and co-op
  • Immunization Record (needs to be completed to show proof of immunity for some placements; blood titers must accompany the immunization record if required by placement)
  • Medical form completed and signed by your doctor
  • Current Two-step TB test (If step one-skin test is positive - you must include a chest x-ray showing report of “no active tuberculosis”
  • Proof of influenza vaccine (vaccine is mandatory for clinical and co-op placements)
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccine; Dose 1, Dose 2 and Booster Dose (if eligible)
    (Vaccine is mandatory for clinical and co-op placements)
  • Current resume or a list of jobs you have held including dates
 
Students are required to have the following items before and throughout the program:
  • Scrub uniforms (two recommended) - $60-100 each
  • Non-slip white shoes (one pair) - $75-200
  • Doctor's note - $0-150
  • TB (Mantoux) test - $25-50
  • Vulnerable Sector Check - $0-75
  • Transcript - $0-20
  • Transportation to placement - varies
 
 

Admission Process

  1. Send an email of interest to [email protected]
  2. Receive information and application form via email.
  3. Fill out and submit the application form.
  4. Attend an information session and write an onsite assessment at one of our CEL locations.
  5. Complete the next steps as instructed and await final approval.