Personal Support Worker

The Personal Support Worker, or PSW, is a caregiver who works under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse and may be employed in long-term care homes, private residences or community-based settings.

Personal Support Workerss strive to promote well-being and independence among the individuals or families they support who require assistance with personal care needs. Clients may include seniors and individuals of any age who are mentally or physically challenged.

Program Information

The Personal Support Worker Program is a cooperative education program which includes 459 hours of classroom theory and 306 hours of on-the-job training in agencies that employ Personal Support Workers.

A clinical placement offers work experience in a long-term care home. A community placement involves work experience in an assisted living facility, an independent living facility, a group home, an adult day program, a hospice, a respite care facility for children, a community health agency, or a school.

Candidates are eligible to earn seven senior credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma as well as Certification with the Ontario Community Support Association as a qualified Personal Support Worker.
Program Information Sessions

All applicants must attend a two-hour Information Session. Be prepared to stay for the duration of the session and arrive with the following items:

  • Proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, permanent residency, or landed immigrant status)
  • Photo identification (Drivers Licence, Health Card or Ontario Photo ID Card)
  • A copy of your high school transcript or credit counselling summary

The Information Session includes a one-hour assessment, during which time cell phones must be turned off.

Upcoming dates:

  • May 23, 2018

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: G. A. Wheable Centre, 70 Jacqueline Street, London, Ontario N5Z 3P7
Registration: Contact Student Services Room M245 at 519-452-2000 ext. 69730 or email psw@tvdsb.ca
Admission Requirements and Entrance Criteria
To apply to the Personal Support Worker program, you must:
  • Attend one information session
  • Write a Personal Support Worker assessment. This test is administered at the information session
  • Have math and science at a grade 9 level and English at a grade 11 level. This can be any level; workplace, locally developed, applied, academic, university, college, or mixed.
  • If you are an English Second Language student, you must complete benchmark 7 in all areas and ESLEO (Bridge to English) and a grade 10 English credit course prior to completing grade 11 English
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Show proof of citizenship, permanent residency, or landed immigrant status.
  • Be able to travel to and from placements
  • Have a fitness level necessary to complete assigned duties (lifting is required). A medical review record must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner. The medical review form will be given out with the applications.
  • Complete a brief personal interview with the program coordinator
  • Provide at least two reference forms from a past employer, supervisor, volunteer coordinator, or former teacher, etc. A Request for References will be sent to you if you receive an interview.
  • Produce a clear police record check and vulnerable position screening by the due date specified.

In addition to the above, you must possess the following personal attributes:

  • Emotional maturity
  • A sincere interest in helping others
  • A sense of responsibility
  • The ability to work cooperatively under the direction of other health care workers
Program Costs
The fees for 2017-18 are $1,500. This is a substantially lower cost than other training providers.

All fees must be paid in full before the first day of classes. The Specialized Programming Fee covers the cost of the following items:

  • Lab and materials fee
  • Textbook and workbook
  • 2 uniforms and 2 School crests
  • Identification badge
  • Standard First Aid and Level C Healthcare Provider CPR/AED training
  • Mask fit testing
  • WHMIS training
  • Alzheimer Information Series/U-First Certificate
  • Safe Food Handling Certificate
  • Gentle Persuasive Approaches Certificate
  • Resume and Cover Letter writing and Interview skills workshop
  • PSW certificate and composite photo

Students may be required to supply other items not included in the Specialized Programming Fee.
Graduation Certificate

Graduates will receive a Personal Support Worker graduation envelope containing a certificate, transcript, and final exam certificate once all fees are paid and all course and placement requirements are completed.

Replacement forms are available at a cost of $15 each.

Employment References

Graduates may obtain an employment reference, by contacting the Personal Support Worker Program Co-ordinator at 519-452-2000 extension 69729
 Contact
In Person (Monday to Friday):
  • 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. - PSW Office, Room B114, G. A. Wheable Centre, 70 Jacqueline Street, London ON
  • 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Student Services Office, Room M247, G. A. Wheable Centre, 70 Jacqueline Street, London ON

Phone: 519-452-2000 extension 69730

Email: psw@tvdsb.ca

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