PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER
PERSONAL SUPPORT
WORKER
Locations
Multiple
Delivery
In Person
Duration
770 Hours
Credentials Earned
PSW Certificate
About the Program
The Personal Support Worker Certificate Program at St. Louis prepares students to provide supportive care to individuals across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical experience, including placements in community and long-term care environments. Graduates develop the skills, knowledge, and professional competencies required to support clients’ daily living needs and improve quality of life.
Your Path as a Personal Support Worker
- Provide safe, competent, person-centred care that respects client dignity, independence, and individuality
- Assist clients with activities of daily living (ADLs) (e.g., hygiene, mobility, nutrition)
- Apply infection prevention and control and health & safety practices in all care settings
- Support clients with chronic conditions, cognitive impairments, mental health, and developmental needs
- Follow care plans and report changes in client condition to the appropriate supervisor
- Assist with medication support and health management tasks within scope of practice
- Promote client safety, comfort, and well-being, including palliative and end-of-life care
- Demonstrate professionalism, ethical practice, and accountability in all care activities
- Support a safe, inclusive, and respectful care environment, including awareness of abuse and neglect
- Collaborate as part of a healthcare team within defined roles and responsibilities
- Apply practical skills learned in clinical and community placements
- 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.
Additional Certificates to be Obtained in the 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
Learning Options
See below for full-time and part-time, day and evening options at St. Louis Main Campus plus THREE Living Classroom partner locations with onsite classrooms, labs and more hands-on training. Over half of all St. Louis PSW training uses this innovative Living Classroom teaching and learning model.
In-class theory and lab training totals approximately 460 hours, followed by 310 hours of Long-Term Care (LTC) and Community placements.
Dates subject to change.
St. Louis Main Campus
Sunnyside Home
247 Franklin St. N., Kitchener
Parkwood Mennonite Homes
726-730 New Hampshire St, Waterloo
Fairview Mennonite Homes
515 Langs Dr., Cambridge
Student Support
Student Support is available for St. Louis Correspondence, Core Essentials, Personal Support Worker students who are needing a little extra assistance in understanding course concepts, navigating D2L or building the skills and plans needed to be a successful independent learner.
Click here to access Student Support for the Personal Support Worker Program.
Funding
This program is funded by the Ministry of Education.
View the Personal Support Worker Standard, 41469, January 2022 here.
