COURSE CURRICULUM

The Personal Support Worker program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to provide compassionate, holistic care across the lifespan. In Semester One, students begin with foundational courses such as Human Body in Health & Illness, which covers the structure and function of the human body alongside culturally relevant palliative and end-of-life care. The Role of the Personal Support Worker course emphasizes the PSW’s role within an interdisciplinary team, addressing ethical, legal, and current health care trends in Ontario and Canada. Students also learn to promote a Safe and Comfortable Environment for clients, complemented by hands-on practice in the Supportive Care and Activities Laboratory, where they develop skills to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Workplace English further hones communication skills vital to healthcare, including medical terminology, documentation, and digital literacy. In Semester Two, the program integrates these skills and knowledge through the Personal Support Worker Integrative Theory course, preparing students for transition from classroom to clinical practice. This is paired with three practicums: Practicum 1 in long-term care facilities, Practicum 2 in community settings such as homes and retirement residences, and Practicum 3, which further refines clinical skills in long-term care under the supervision of preceptors and faculty advisors. Additionally, Supporting Mental Health equips students with approaches to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges and cognitive impairments within a multidisciplinary team. Through this combination of theory, hands-on labs, and extensive practicum placements, students develop the competencies needed to provide respectful, individualized care, promoting independence and quality of life for diverse populations in varied healthcare environments.