Niagara College Canada

Personal Support Worker

Program Code (0942)
Ontario College Certificate
One Year
Ontario Street Site
155 Ontario St., St. Catharines
Start date: September, January or May

Career Opportunities | The Niagara College Difference | Testimonials and Profiles | Admission Requirements | Degree Opportunities | Program Related Inquiries | Apply Now

Career Opportunities

Are you drawn toward work with older adults? Clients with disabilities? Clients with long-term health problems? If so, your credentials of the heart are already in place. Now all you need are the skills and knowledge to match!

Graduates of this program may serve as personal support workers for:

• Community health agencies
• Group homes for clients with disabilities or long-term health problems, or for these clients directly
• Hospices/palliative care services
• Long-term care facilities

The Niagara College Difference

• Students complete at least 252 hours of long-term care clinical placement and 152 hours of community clinical placement
• Students practice under the guidance of qualified nursing teachers
• Graduates are equipped to enhance quality of life for individuals in both community and long-term care settings
• 100 per cent of 2006/2007 graduates found health-sector employment within six months of graduation
• Central, easily accessible campus location facilitates community partnerships

Testimonials and Profiles

“The instructors were great and the lab and clinical experiences were a definite asset. I am now enjoying my new career as a personal support worker.”

Brenda Wagter,
Personal Support Worker graduate

“Pro Wellness Health Services Inc. is an accredited service provider for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Community Care Access Centre of Niagara Region. As a high quality service provider of home care health services, it is incumbent on our organization to ensure that our employees acquire current and relevant health care skills necessary to deliver safe and effective service to the people in our communities.

Graduates of the Niagara College health programs tend to consistently demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of today’s evolving community health care environment. I would highly recommend their services and personnel to any employer who is contemplating hiring their graduates or using their training programs.”

Jerry Bilton,
President, Pro Wellness Health Services Inc.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements for 2009-10 (OSS):

Minimum Admission Requirements for 2010-11 (OSS):

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older as of the first day of classes, with no OSSD or equivalent (Mature Student) including the following required courses:
• English - any Grade 12(C), (U), or (O), or equivalent.

Recommended Courses and/or Recommended Skills (Not Required for Admission):

• Biology – Grade 11 (C).
• Medical Technologies – Grade 12 (C).
• Volunteer, co-operative or community service work experience with older adults and/or clients with disabilities and/or long-term health problems.

Selection & Ranking Process:

• For competitive programs (the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places), selection will be based on the most senior level final grade available at the time of ranking. Mid-term grades are not used for ranking purposes.
• Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Note:

• Mature Student applicants, or applicants who have an OSSD that includes Workplace (E) level learning, may be considered for admission after meeting with a staff member to review academic needs, interests and possible career directions. Academic testing and/or upgrading may be required.
• Secondary School grades from co-op courses and half credit courses are not considered.

Program Requirements:

• Police Clearance Certificate:
  Most employers have instituted a police clearance certificate as a requirement for appropriate clinical placements beginning in Term 1 and for subsequent employment. A recent criminal reference check must be provided to the Program Co-ordinator on the first day of classes at the beginning of the academic year. All costs associated with the certificate are the responsibility of the student.
• Health Requirement:
  The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance form must be completed and mailed, faxed or emailed to Niagara College Health Services prior to the first day of Term 1. Requirements include proof of immunity to varicella, measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses), hepatitis B and tetanus diptheria. Students also must provide date of last pertussis immunization. Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended. Documentation of a 2 step TB test is required prior to start of program.
  
  Placement sites require current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Basic Rescuer C and First Aid certification.
  
  All costs associated with CPR/First Aid, vaccinations, and/or verification, are the responsibility of the student.
  
  Please note that work as a Personal Support Worker may require heavy lifting.
  
  All health requirements must be met one month prior to the start of the placement term or a placement will be denied.
• Transportation:
  Students are responsible for their own transportation to complete clinical placement requirements. Niagara cannot guarantee placements that are readily accessible by public transportation. Students are responsible for all costs connected with such transportation.
• Transportation:
  Students are responsible for their own transportation to complete clinical placement requirements. Niagara cannot guarantee placements that are readily accessible by public transportation. Students are responsible for all costs connected with such transportation.

Educational Pathways

Niagara College has articulated agreements providing students with degree completion and credit transfer opportunities with many other colleges and universities.

• View Degree Opportunities by Institution
• View Degree Opportunities by Subject

For a complete listing of articulation agreements, please consult the Niagara College Transfer Guide.

Program Related Inquiries

Contact Information

Email: registrar@niagaracollege.ca
Niagara College Admissions Office: 905-735-2211, ext 7619

Apply now for this program online at www.OntarioColleges.ca

Information Last Modified:
Thu, November 20, 2008 at 02:04:14 PM ET

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