Personal Support Worker - Flexible
Overview
Become a valued member of the ever-evolving health care field in Canada as a Personal Support Worker who is in high demand in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, home care settings, and hospitals.
As the health care system in Canada evolves, the demand for Personal Support workers is increasing in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, home care settings and hospitals.
The Personal Support Worker- Flexible program prepares students currently working in a long-term care facility to provide care and assistance to clients of any age who have defined health care needs including help with their activities of daily living. Through theory classes and experiential learning opportunities, including simulation and clinical placements, the student will learn to make a difference in clients' lives by alleviating loneliness, providing empathy, ensuring comfort, encouraging independence, and promoting self-respect in all health care settings.
As part of the program, students will also complete The Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Certificate.
Nancy's Story
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Applications for this program are not accepted through ontariocolleges.ca.
Prior Learning Assessment
If you believe you have an equivalent level of knowledge and would like credit through Prior Learning Assessment, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca or call 519-479-1023 at least two weeks before classes begin.
Credential Eligibility
If you are taking courses with the intention of completing this program and earning a credential, you must meet the Admission Requirements. It is your responsibility to supply proof of admission requirements to the Office of the Registrar before completing three courses in this program.
If you complete the program but fail to provide proof of admission requirements, you will be ineligible to receive your credential.
Incentive Funding for PSW Students
Ontario is providing incentive funding to attract personal support workers (PSWs) to work in long-term care homes as well as home and community care agencies. Available funding provides:
- Up to $5,440 to PSW students as a stipend during their clinical placement in a long-term care home or for a home and community care employer (please be aware, this has to be applied for by the employer);
- $10,000 to recent PSW graduates in exchange for a 12-month commitment to work in a long-term care home or for a home and community care employers; and,
- An additional $10,000 to support relocation costs for those recent PSW graduates committing to work in a long-term care home or with a home and community care employer in a rural, remote, or northern area for 12 months.
Funding to PSWs and PSW students is provided through long-term care homes and home and community agencies participating in the program. Ontario Health can connect student to participating employers and keep them up to date on incentive funding, job search support, and program updates.
Already working as a PSW?
If you're currently working as a PSW and interested in furthering your education to qualify for admission to the Practical Nursing program, Lambton College may have an option for you.
Our Personal Support Worker to Practical Nursing Pathway is a bridging option that provides flexible options to working PSWs who are are interested in pursuing the Practical Nursing career path.
Costs
Course Fees
- Exact costs can be obtained during the registration process. Visit the Course List and select an individual course for associated course fees.
Graduation Fees
Students who successfully complete all the academic requirements for this program should submit their intent to graduate in order to receive their credential. The graduate module can be completed on myLambton via Self Service.
A graduation fee of about $75 is added to your account upon verification that admission requirements have been met. For exact fees contact your Enrolment Services Professional.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about our online programs, the courses offered, the registration process, or any other Online Education related questions, reach out to us.
Contact
Online Education
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Advance your career by becoming a personal support worker in community health care, long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals in less than a year. As the industry continues to grow and the demand for personal support workers increases, you can feel confident about your job opportunities post-graduation. At this time, there is a high demand for personal support workers and opportunities for local jobs.
Placement
Vaccinations & Police Record Checks
Students considering this program should be aware that there may be field and clinical placement requirements. Many placements require students have proof of certain vaccinations and police record checks.
Once you’ve applied, you can log in to mylambton.ca and view the program-specific Field & Clinical Placement Requirements. If you need information about these requirement before applying, please contact placementinfo@lambtoncollege.ca.
More Information
Skill Demands
This program demands a high level of physical fitness. Good general health is required including the ability to lift and manipulate heavy weight. Some students with disabilities may require academic accommodation to equalize opportunities to meet the academic demands of a course or a program.
Technology Requirements
It is required that students purchase a laptop with a Windows operating system.
Internet Speed Requirements
For best performance for students learning remotely, an internet connection with a minimum of 40 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed is recommended in order to effectively use video conferencing and remote lecture delivery software as well as, other online resources remotely. Due to the large area over which students may be dispersed, we are unable to recommend a specific provider, so you will need to inquire around your area to find one that best suits your needs.
Minimum Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 16 GB of RAM (with a minimum of 8 GB)
- 100 GB HDD or more
- HD Graphics
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wireless 802.11n/ac 5ghz capable
- Windows Operating System (Windows 11)
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.