“Having St. Louis PSW’s learning and training with Fairview Seniors Community’s staff and residents means students are getting the kind of real-world and hands-on experience that ensures they are work-ready. We are impressed by the students’ willingness to learn and grow their skills along with their compassionate attitudes for older adults.”
What’s New?
Pre-Registration for PSW Certificate Program
OPENS Tuesday, March 4th
for September 2025 classes and new Living Classrooms.
Why Become a PSW?
Choose a career as a Personal Support Worker!
The St. Louis PSW program will prepare students to provide supportive care to clients of all ages in various settings to improve the client’s quality of life.
We can teach you to become a Personal Support Worker !
- skill
- knowledge
- physical competence
The job also entails having characteristics that you bring with you.
- compassion
- dedication
- gentleness
- work ethic
- good communication
Why St. Louis PSW Program?
Professionally recognized PSW Educational Program
St. Louis’ PSW education and certificate program is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education, Ontario Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, meets all standards put forth by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and is recognized by employers in all sectors of the health care field.
Qualified Instructors
Program is delivered by Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses with solid understanding of best practices and approaches to adult education and skills-based training as well as the latest health safety protocols.
NO Cost
Tuition fees have always been paid from Ministry of Education funding. The government has recently confirmed that they will continue funding additional support to PSW Programs in Ontario School Boards until March 2026!
This means that your tuition portion continues to be FREE, and the materials fees has been WAIVED (textbooks, basic uniforms, additional certificates, and first aid/CPR training are FREE).
International Student Fees apply and study permits are required for anybody who is not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
In order for us to have your tuition portion paid for by the government, consistent attendance is required. If you need assistance covering any other additional fees that are NOT COVERED such as shoes, medical notes, police records checks, child care subsidy, there are numerous social service and employment agencies under Serco Canada who can direct or support you.
Add Secondary School Credits to your transcript
Earn up to 7 elective Secondary School Credits toward high school completion OR to increase your grades on your transcript, a benefit for any future post-secondary pursuits.
No high school diploma (Ontario Secondary School Diploma – OSSD) required. Up to 7 elective secondary school credits can be earned and added to your high school transcript. If you have not completed your OSSD, or if you completed your education outside of Ontario, please complete a Guidance Intake Form to arrange a meeting with Guidance. Guidance will let you know if these 7 elective credits means you have now completed all your Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements (including 40 hours of community activities).
Extra Certificates as part of the course: PSW Classes include approved Standard First Aid & CPR-BLS, as part of the course curriculum. Students do not have to complete this additional pre-requisite training before beginning the St. Louis PSW Certificate Program, as this is now part of your in-class training.
Placement
The Ontario government has committed to continuing the incentive for PSW certificate programs to receive a stipend for work completed during co-op placements. Only Participating employers may honour clinical stipend. St. Louis cannot guarantee students will be placed with a participating employer for their co-op placement.
You will Get Hired when you complete the course!
St. Louis’ PSW program has existed since 2001 and each year the employability rate for our certificate program graduates climbs. St. Louis PSW graduates consistently demonstrate high employment rates. It is from this combination of valuable placement experiences, solid lab skills training and intense knowledge base that employers continually choose St. Louis PSW’s to add to their health care teams.
Course Descriptions and Additional Certificates
Modules:
- Role of the Worker
- Safety and Infection Control
- Interpersonal / Communication Skills and Optimal Support and Care Planning
- Individuality of the Person
- Anatomy and Physiology / Assisting a Person to Manage Ongoing Conditions
- Household Management and Nutrition
- Cognitive Impairment and Mental Health Disorders
- Developmental Disorders and Developmental Disabilities
- Abuse, Bullying and Harassment Awareness
- Assisting a Person with Medications
- Assisting a Person with Personal Hygiene
- Assisting with Mobility
- Assisting the Family
- End of Life Care
- Lab Skills and Practice
- Job Skills (Resume and Portfolio Building, Interviewing)
Additional Care Certificates included in St. Louis PSW program:
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA®) in Dementia Care
- Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Certificate
- Safe Food Handling Certificate
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Standard First Aid & CPR-BLS approved as part of the course curriculum. Students do not have to complete this additional pre-requisite training before beginning the St. Louis PSW Certificate Program.
Program Schedule and Locations
In-class theory and lab training totals 460 hours, followed by 310 hours of Long-Term Care (LTC) and Community placements.
See below for full-time and part-time, day and evening options at St. Louis Main Campus plus TWO Living Classroom partner locations with onsite classrooms, labs and more hands-on training.
** NEW ** Parkwood Mennonite Homes – 726-730 New Hampshire St, Waterloo
Full-time Day PSW Living Classroom Program – Waterloo (Mon to Fri; 8:45am to 3:30pm)</