Home Support Worker

Home Support Worker

Take the next step towards your new career

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Campus:
Ottawa Campus
Delivery:
On Campus
Program Length:
32 weeks
Diploma Issued:
ontario

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Become a Home Support Worker

Earn your diploma with our Home Support Worker program!

Careers in this field are dynamic, diverse, and rewarding. Home Support Workers play a vital role in our healthcare industry and job demand is projected to be high for the future. This field is seeing strong employment growth as baby boomers approach retirement and the Canadian population ages. Home Support Workers play a critical role in private residences, acute care facilities, long-term care homes (public and private) and in group living, private, and family-based settings. Our curriculum was developed by the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC). It complies with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLT) guidelines and has been developed in consultation with employers who hire our graduates.

Program highlights

  • Two additional industry certifications which employers demand
  • National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) approved curriculum
  • Clinical work placement in the community
  • Job placement assistance


Is this program right for you?

This program is an excellent fit for:

  • Someone who is caring works well in a team atmosphere and is passionate about helping others
  • A mature student who has previous job experience and is looking to enhance and develop new
    or existing skills that are relevant to today’s job market
  • A recent graduate who wants to specialize in an emerging and in-demand health field
  • Someone who wants to fast-track to a new and exciting career in healthcare


Total program length is 32 weeks
22 instructional weeks, 8 weeks practicum placement
Up to 2 weeks break

Our Ottawa, Ontario campus is registered with the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005.

Job Market

Successful graduates of this program may pursue a wide variety of interesting and rewarding professions, including:

  • Home Support Worker
  • Healthcare or Personal Aide
  • Long-Term or Patient Care Aide
  • Patient Service Associate
  • Personal Care Attendant – Medical
  • Resident Care Aide – Medical

Salary Information

Average Wage ($/hr) – $15.75
High Wage ($/hr) – $19.00
National Occupation Classification (NOC) for this program: 4411
Source: www.noc.esdc.gc.ca & www.jobbank.ca

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements:
Canadian High School diploma or equivalent. Willis College Admission’s Team uses the Wonderlic assessment tool.

For Mature Students:
If you don’t have a High School Diploma, we have admissions options specifically for you depending on which province you are in enrolling. Please contact us to see how our Admissions Team can help you achieve your new career.

And

Able to pass a clear police check including a clear Vulnerable Sector check; a clear medical certificate indicating current immunization and free from communicable diseases; demonstrated fluency in English; completion of a Student Questionnaire to determine suitability for a career as a Personal Support Worker.

Program Outline

Please click on the course title to see the course description.

  • HSW Foundations

    The introductory module provides an overview of the scope of responsibilities of PSWs in a variety of settings. Students will learn about client-centred versus client-directed care; and emphasizing the individuality of the client and his/her relationship with family, friends and others. Key topics include work relationships, stress and time management, interpersonal skills and communications, including conflict resolution and problem-solving, and applicable legislation.

  • Safety and Mobility

    This course develops the concept of assisting the consumer/client with routine activities of living. Topics include body mechanics, consistency in transferring, lifting techniques, and the use of equipment to increase safety and to reduce client anxiety, confusion, and dependency.

  • Body Systems

    Students will be introduced to the basics of anatomy and physiology, and gain knowledge and understanding of human body systems that will help them as Personal Support Workers.

  • Assisting a Person with Personal Hygiene

    This module involves caring for the ill, disabled, injured, and/or confused client. Frailness, dignity, and levels of dependence are considered. Personal hygiene involves personal safety, self-esteem, and consideration of dignity.

  • Abuse and Neglect

    This course provides an introduction to family violence and abuse. Students will learn how to recognize possible signs of abuse, appropriate actions to be taken if abuse is suspected, and related legal requirements.

  • Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration

    In this course, students will learn how to assist the client with their nutritional needs, household activities, and household management according to client preferences. Comfort and safety within employer guidelines, as required, are also discussed. Students will learn that nutritional needs include planning balanced nutritious menus, preparing shopping lists, shopping, safe handling of food, storage, and specific cooking techniques.

  • Care Planning/Restorative Care/Documentation/ Working in the Community

    Building on the materials presented in the introductory module, HSW Foundations, this course identifies the support to be provided to the client, its need, and significance.

  • Assisting the Family, Growth and Development

    This course emphasizes the influence of cultural values and practices, religious beliefs, and the effects of illness, stress and disability on family relationships as central to the HSW’s ability to provide effective support.

  • Assisting the Dying Person

    This course discusses the concept of dying as a part of life and the possible impact of life-threatening illness on the person and their family. Students will examine personal beliefs about life-threatening illness, dying, and the provision of support to the dying person, and their family and friends.

  • Cognitive/Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries

    This course introduces topics of common psychiatric conditions of affective disorders and schizophrenia, substance abuse, cognitive impairment, and brain injuries.

  • Soft Skills Solutions

    This module will introduce the student to some of the foundation skills valued in the workplace. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking are discussed and explored with professional techniques highlighted and practiced. Successfully working with diverse populations is a key focus of this course.
“When I first started at Willis I was a shy, self-conscious girl… but Willis changed all that! My time at Willis was knowledgeable, fun and most importantly self-rewarding. The PSW program was amazing. I learned so much. All of the staff are absolutely awesome; they looked at you as a person and not just a number filling up a seat.” Rachel Goyer Personal Support Worker

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