Personal Support Worker (PSWC)

Students are introduced to the role and scope of practice of the Personal Support Worker when caring for clients and their families, in a variety of settings. Legislation and ethics related to the profession and the rights of the client are also discussed. Students are challenged to reflect on their own beliefs, values, culture, religion, and ethnicity and to relate these concepts to their clients. Reporting, documenting, and communication are examined. The concepts of supervision and delegation, within the health care team, are explored in preparation for clinical.

This course enables the student to explore growth and development across the lifespan. The concepts of health promotion and disease prevention are examined. Rehabilitative and restorative care are explored along with the personal support workers role in providing person-centred, person-directed, and family-centred care in a variety of settings.

This course introduces the student to the normal structure and function of the body systems. Common illnesses and diseases are explored and the role of the personal support worker in providing client care and support for individuals with a variety of illnesses and diseases is examined.

This course allows students to review the theory, and practice the basic skills, necessary to provide safe and organized care, as a personal support worker in the various health care and community settings. In addition, this subject enables students to develop and demonstrate skills related to assisting with household activities and household management. Planning and preparing nutritious and appealing meals are explored. Special diets, cultural and religious preferences are emphasized when discussing meal preparation.

This course will discuss aspects of safety and comfort in the clinical setting. Students will explore accident and injury risk factors as well as safety measures, emergency procedures, the use of restraints and restraint minimization policies. The subject will clarify the Personal Support Workers level of responsibility in assisting the client with medications, pain, rest, and sleep. Possible causes and indicators of all forms of abuse are discussed. Additionally, safe working environments for the PSW are explored.

Students will demonstrate the ability with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and to their families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients choices and the plan of care.

Provide client-centered and client-directed care to individuals experiencing various mental health illness and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments, and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.

The student will work within the personal support worker role and apply theoretical concepts in various care settings. Working with health care professionals and clients, the students will make a positive contribution to the health and healing of individuals and families. This course focuses on the application of theory from all semester one and two courses.

This clinical placement preceptor consolidation experience provides an opportunity for students to learn and function under the supervision of the PSW staff in a community/long term care home setting. The PSW student will continue to apply theory into clinical settings while working with multidisciplinary members of the health care team. This clinical component is designed to provide the student with practical experiences that can promote learning, encourage problem solving and increase confidence in providing with physical, social, and emotional needs of client care as the student will transition into the role of the Personal Support Worker.