Your Career Path
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse. Based on the individual needs of each person that they support, the PSW assists persons with the tasks of daily living such as home management, personal care, family responsibilities, social and recreational activities. These services are provided in homes and apartments in the community, in long-term care facilities, congregate housing settings, in the workplace and in educational facilities. This program is intended to meet the Ministry of Health guidelines established by its Long-Term Care Division.
Run in partnership with Confederation College, Oshki-Wenjack’s uniquely blended delivery method allows you to stay in your home community for the majority of the program. You will take courses through on-line and independent study at home and attend classes, labs and field placements in Thunder Bay for periods each semester.*
* Note: Due to COVID-19 all courses are happening online.
Program Information
- Program Length: 1 Year (2 semesters)
- Start Date: May 2022*
- Tuition Fees: This program is generously funded by a grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities so tuition is free from 2022-2024.
*start dates are subject to change
Documentation Requirements
Fees associated with these documentation requirements for the 2022-2024 program cohorts will be generously paid for by a grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (through student support grant). As a Personal Support Worker student you are required to complete the following clinical requirements:
- Criminal record check with a vulnerable sector check
- First Aid (This will be arranged by your program coordinator on your first on-campus block)
- CPR – HCP (This will be arranged by your program coordinator on your first on-campus block)
- Mask Fit testing (This will be arranged by your program coordinator)
- 2 Step TB skin test
- If TB skin test positive, a Chest X-ray is required
- Immunization record
- Serology for Hep B; Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; Varicella (if any are non-reactive then boosters are required)
- WHMIS (This will be arranged by your program coordinator)
- Influenza vaccine – Proof of vaccination within past 6 months
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or appropriate credits from the Mature Student Assessment (MSA), or General Education Development Test (GED), or Academic and Career Entrance (ACE).
Curriculum
First Semester
- PW 101 Supportive Care Theory I – 42 hours
- PW 102 Professional Growth – 42 hours
- PN 128 Helping Relationships – 42 hours
- PW 130 Anatomy & Physiology – 42 hours
- PW 109 Lab Skills for the Personal Support Worker – 45 hours
- PW 107 PSW: Community Clinical – 56 hours
Total Hours: 269
Second Semester
- CS 050 College Writing – 42 hours
- PW 201 Supportive Care Theory II – 42 hours
- PW 230 Growth & Development – 42 hours
- PW 209 Advanced Labs Skills for the Personal Support Worker – 45 hours
- PW 207 PSW Practice II: Clinical – 80 hours
Total Hours: 251
Third Semester
- PW 208 PSW Clinical: Consolidation – 160 hours
Total Hours: 160
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
