Living Classroom

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma, ACE certificate or its equivalent from another province, or mature 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

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.

Other Requirements

• 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.

Additional Information

Oral and written English and French skills are essential for clinical internships. Some health sciences textbooks are available only in English. As much as possible, the Collège fosters the use of French-language textbooks appropriate to the field of study. Students may have to travel outside the region at their own expense for their internships. Students may have to work split shifts or on weekends during their internships. Equipment required: computer, headset, Internet connection