Personal Support Worker PSW

Holland Code: S (Social)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

Literacy Fluency in written and spoken English is needed.

Math & Science No math or science courses are required, but students will study some anatomy and will do basic math calculations.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office suite, Internet, checking student portal daily).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Mature, dependable and responsible
• Caring, have empathy
• Understanding, patient, gentle and non-judgmental
• Able to use tact and judgment in dealing with difficult situations
• Sensitive to the physical, social, cultural, spiritual and psychological effects of development and aging
• Respect the client's right to privacy and to be treated with dignity
• Flexible and resourceful
• Able to communicate effectively
• Patient with others (i.e. frail elderly adults who may have physical or memory challenges)
• Pleasant and easy to get along with
• Able to work relatively independently and as a member of a team
• Punctual

Useful background experience for this program would be

Experience with working with the elderly.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Personal Support Worker.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Nursing homes, retirement homes or personal homes with clients.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Shift work
• Early morning, evening, holiday and weekend work required
• Often working alone with a client/patient
• May be required to lift, bend and stand for a long period

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Work under the supervision of a nurse or heath professional
• Provide the physical and emotional support clients need to be as independent as possible in the community, hospitals or continuing care facilities
• Work with clients who: have complex, chronic medical conditions; have physical or cognitive disabilities, or functional deficits that interfere with activities of daily living; require end-of-life (palliative) care; or have acute illnesses
• Assist clients with bathing, grooming and dressing, and other personal hygiene activities
• Feed clients and, when required, measure intake and output
• Assist with bed transfers, lifting, turning, walking and crutch walking
• Assist clients with therapeutic activities such as range of motion exercises, medication administration and reminders, simple wound care, respiratory equipment use or urinary care
• Implement therapeutic interventions for behaviour management
• Administer suppositories and fleet enemas, empty ostomy bags, collect stool specimens and assist with toileting
• Ensure the safety of their clients, themselves and others
• Communicate with clients, and observe and report on client condition
• May work in specialized areas such as pediatric, end-of-life, dementia or brain injury programs

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• Personal Support Network of Ontario (PSNO)
• Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA)
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development or education

• Students with a very high average and the required admission requirements may gain admittance to Fanshawe’s practical nursing program.

Last Modified: February 15, 2024