Objectives and Skills

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance
   with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies,
   procedures and guidelines
2. practice professionally, and be accountable for one’s own actions by applying
   problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the
   provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as
   a member of a team.
3. practice as an engaged member of the interprofessional team to maintain
   collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, responsive
   and competent client-centred care within care settings.
4. provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse
   personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows
   the plan of care.
5. establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families
   using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting, and respectful
   partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies,
   confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
6. identify relevant client information within the roles and responsibilities of the
   personal support worker using observation, critical thinking, and effective
   communication skills to report and document findings.
7. create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their
   families, self and others by implementing current infection prevention and control
   measures, emergency and first aid procedures, and best practices in pandemic
   planning that are in keeping with the plan of care, all applicable legislation, and
   employer policies and procedures.
8. assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying
   fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts,
   common alterations in functioning, health promotion, disease prevention,
   rehabilitation and restorative care, and holistic health care.
9. assist the client with medication following the client’s plan of care, and if a
   delegated act, under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by
   exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with all
   applicable legislation and employer policies.
10. assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily
    living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort,
    safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
11. assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family
    choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
12. identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations
    of abuse, and/or neglect, as required by all applicable legislation, including the
    Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and as
    required within the employers’ job description for the personal support workers.
13. assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe
    and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and to their
    families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement,
    and in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care.
14. provide client-centered and client-directed care to individuals experiencing
    various mental health illness and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments,
    and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based
    practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.

Conditions of Admission

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma, ACE certificate or its equivalent in another province, or adult student status
• 1 French credit: FIF3U, FRA3C, FRA3U, FIF4U, FRA4C, FRA4U or equivalent
• 1 English credit: ENG3C, ENG3U, EAE3C, EAE3U, ENG4C, ENG4U, EAE4C, EAE4U or equivalent

• The student must be in good physical condition and be able to lift considerable weight
• Current immunizations (including 2-step tuberculin test and Hepatitis B vaccine – highly recommended)
• Police clearance (criminal record check), including a vulnerable sectors check, to meet the requirements of clinical organizations
• Standard first aid certificate (before start of clinical internships*)
• First aid certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR Level C (before start of clinical internships*)

* First aid and CPR courses are offered several times throughout the college session by the Adult and Continuing Education Service of Collège Boréal.

Employment Prospects

Further education in the Practical Nursing program at Collège Boréal. Careers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, the community (e.g. home care, private organizations, group homes) and retirement homes.