Objective
The Personal Support Worker Online (PSWO) program is delivered using four methods that build on each other, with an emphasis on convenience and flexibility for our students. This approach enables improved learning effectiveness and the highest flexibility, while ensuring the students have the competency to succeed in their field of study.
Program Outline
ROLE OF THE PSW IN CLIENT CARE
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) is an integral part of today’s healthcare team. In this course, students will learn the foundations of providing safe, ethical, legal and professional care to clients and their families. Topics covered include the history of and current trends in Canada’s health care system, professionalism, ethics, advocacy, workplace settings, teamwork, conflict resolution, relevant legislation, as well as time and stress management.
PERSONAL SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT
This course introduces students to the foundations of interpersonal and interprofessional skills required to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients, their families, and members of the health care team. Students will apply the basics of therapeutic communications, complete documentation used in the clinical context, and apply critical thinking and decision making skills required within the PSW scope of practice, while maintaining the importance of confidentiality and privacy.
INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Students will examine Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) evidence based practices and procedures that, when applied consistently in health care settings, can prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to health care providers, clients, patients, residents and visitors.
HUMAN BODY, CHRONIC ILLNESS AND DISEASE
Students develop a strong knowledge of biology as it applies to human health. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of structure and function within the human body. The anatomy and physiology of the organ systems and the interrelationship of the organ systems. Selected health disorders, as well as changes related to the aging and disease process, will be discussed in correlation with each organ system.
FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH
Students gain knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses, acquired brain injuries and dementia and how these conditions affect a person’s ability to maintain an independent life style. Students will understand the responsibilities and considerations expected as a Personal Support Worker in working with clients in this area.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Students learn elements of palliative care which relate to longterm care facilities and home care settings. Students examine their personal feelings about loss, grief and death. Concepts such as spirituality, grieving, and bereavement are discussed. Pain and symptom management, complementary therapies, role of the funeral home, and death and dying issues are explored. The personal support worker as a member of an interdisciplinary team is stressed.
PROVIDING CLIENT CARE (THEORY)
This course will introduce students to the concepts and skills related to assisting with activities of daily living while creating and maintaining a helping relationship to different client needs and scenarios.
PROVIDING CLIENT CARE (LAB)
This course builds on the theory related to assisting with activities of daily living providing and provides students the opportunity to safely practice fundamental psychomotor skills and therapeutic communication skills needed to provide comfort and basic support for the client’s daily activities, such as grooming, bathing, feeding and transferring care.
FIRST AID/CPR
Students will learn the skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular, choking, airway and breathing emergencies. Students gain the skills needed to perform CPR and wound care to treat a variety of injuries. Upon completion of this course, students will acquire Standard First Aid/CPR level C certification.
EXTERNSHIP
This supervised practical experience course provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from all theory and lab courses with individuals in a clinical, long term care environment and in a community care environment.
