Personal Support Worker

Program Overview

Personal hygiene, preparing meals and taking essential medication are elements of daily life that most people take for granted, but there are many individuals who are unable to perform these tasks independently. The personal support worker (PSW) is the front-line care provider whose responsibilities focus on the provision of personal care and support that include activities of daily living with client populations across all institutional, community care and service settings. They provide compassionate, client-centred care to enhance the quality of everyday life.

Hands On

Anatomy

Helping Others

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Note: this program has additional recommended requirements. Please visit the Admission Requirements tab for further information.

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2019	Open	Closed
January 2020	Open	Open
May 2020	Open

Tuition

Year one domestic: $3,025 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,187 (CDN)

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Semester 1 Courses

View All Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Personal support worker

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Program Details

Personal support workers are valued members of the health-care team. As a graduate, you will have the enhanced skills required to provide compassionate, client-focused care with daily living activities including:

Assistance with medications
Household and family management
Nutrition
Mobility and ambulation
Palliative and restorative activities
Personal care and hygiene

In The News

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

SEPTEMBER, JANUARY AND MAY INTAKE:

Students who begin classes in September will complete Semester 1 in the fall and Semester 2 in the winter/spring semester
Students who begin classes in January will complete Semester 1 from January to April and Semester 2 from May to August.
Students who begin classes in May will complete Semester 1 from May to August and Semester 2 from September until the end of December

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$3,025	$13,187
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,245	$1,720
Program Incidental	$205	$205
Total Fees:	$4,475	$15,112

Please note: fees are based on the 2018-2019 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Personal support worker

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Community service agencies
Group homes
Home care agencies
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Retirement homes

Practicum

Part of your training includes the opportunity to practice what you learn through supervised placements in institutional and community settings. Practicum experiences take place throughout Durham Region and you are responsible for your transportation to and from your practicum agency.

Your practicum will enable you to:

Become job ready
Be sought out by local employers
Provide care for clients in health-care facilities under the direction and supervision of experienced faculty
Learn in a state-of-the-art simulation lab and health care learning centre
Obtain recognized certificates including Palliative Care, St. Peter’s Feeding and GPA training
Experience small group instruction in practicum and laboratory settings
Write a comprehensive exam

Pre-placement requirements

Please note:There are costs associated with completing the pre-placement requirements.

Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and verification partner.
Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

To be eligible for the field placement component of this program you must (at your expense) provide:

A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. CRCs with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You may be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS to meet field placement agency requirements
Current Level C CPR from a recognized provider
Current Emergency First Aid Certification from a recognized provider
Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider

Please note: CPR Level C and Emergency First Aid training will take place during the first semester of the Personal Support Worker program at Durham College at no additional cost to student The session will be booked for you on campus and additional details will be provided during the semester.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion And Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

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Need assistance with this form?

T: 905.721.3000

Program related questions?
Contact Recruitment.

Application related questions?
Contact Admissions.

International student?

Contact International Admissions or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2355.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

In The News

Admission Requirements

Recommended

SEPTEMBER, JANUARY AND MAY INTAKE:

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Practicum

Pre-placement requirements

Program Transfer, Degree Completion And Additional Credentials

Personal Support Worker in the news

Book a campus tour

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2019 [PDF]

College guide September 2019 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]