Student Success & The Northern Experience
Our Personal Support Worker (PSW) program prepares you for a rewarding career providing the vital long-term care that forms the backbone of community service and wellbeing.
You’ll develop the skills and experience in the classroom, in our state-of-the-art practice labs, and through work placement opportuntities.
Does this program sound like a good fit for you?
Connect with us to learn more.
Course Information
2024-2025 Academic Year
Semester 1
In this course, students will learn essential skills for success in college and the workplace. This course focuses on developing and strengthening oral and written communication skills, and critical thinking ability. During this course, students will engage in a variety of forms of communication with a focus on upholding the principles of academic integrity. Students will develop the skills necessary to create discipline-specific documents, practice business etiquette and professionalism, and apply critical thinking strategies to practical scenarios. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to plan and draft concise, coherent and well-organized writing assignments that are tailored to specific audiences and purposes.
42 Hours
Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.
42 Hours
In this course, students will engage in effective professional relationships with clients and colleagues. With a focus on communication skills, students will learn to: build therapeutic relationships, provide person-centered care, work within an interprofessional team, and manage conflict within the workplace. These skills will be taught with a sensitivity to diversity, values, beliefs, and cultural practices. Stress management techniques will be reviewed to highlight the importance of self-care when working in healthcare.
42 Hours
In this course, students will learn various healthcare skills required by clients in selected age groups. Students will identify relevant client information, assist with activities of living, and promote safe, client-centered care. Healthcare skills will be taught and practiced in classroom and laboratory settings. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate safe and competent care within the practice environment with standardized clients. With a focus on infection prevention, hygiene and grooming, elimination, nutrition and mobility support, and basic assessments, this course will prepare students to enter clinical practice in their second semester.
56 Hours
This course introduces students to the aging process and its impact on the client and normal body functions. Students will identify common diseases and disorders, and their impact on activities of daily living. Students will select appropriate care and support required by clients with these conditions, as directed by the plan of care. The importance of observing and reporting signs and symptoms associated with these conditions will be reviewed. Students will learn the basic classifications of medications used for these common diseases and disorders. The concepts of disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, rehabilitation, and restorative care will be reviewed with the goal of supporting client comfort and independence.
42 Hours
This course introduces the roles and responsibilities of the PSW within a variety of workplace settings to students. Students will review the Canadian healthcare system and learn about the legislation and standards that pertain to the role of the PSW and other healthcare workers. Students will learn the professional responsibilities of unregulated and regulated health professionals in order to work as an effective member of the interdisciplinary team. Ethical and moral principles will be reviewed, with a focus on providing safe, client-centered care. Students will learn the importance of confidentiality, documentation, and reporting within the role of the PSW.
42 Hours
In this course, students will be introduced to the normal structures and functions of the human body throughout the lifespan with an emphasis on maintaining homeostasis and health promotion. Students will use correct medical terminology to describe the components of normal cells, tissues, organs, and body systems as they relate to activities of daily living, and to identify alterations that are beyond the scope of a PSW and require further assistance to promote comfort and safety.
42 Hours
Semester 2
In this course, students will be introduced to various mental health and cognitive challenges that may be experienced by clients. With a focus on responsive behaviours, students will explore supportive approaches to assist and care for clients with these conditions. The concepts of disorientation, delirium, and dementia will be emphasized with the goal of providing client-centered care. Developmental disorders, and their effect on holistic functioning, will also be reviewed.
36 Hours
This course introduces students to palliative and end of life care. Students will identify appropriate methods of supporting clients and their families with the process of dying, as directed by the plan of care. The role of the PSW within the interprofessional team will be reviewed. A focus on personal beliefs and cultural sensitivity will be examined to assist in providing client-centered support and care. Students will also examine legal issues and client rights surrounding death and dying.
36 Hours
In this course, students will practice advanced PSW skills to support clients in a variety of settings. Skills will be taught and practiced in classroom and laboratory settings. Students will follow the plan of care and assist clients with medications, provide continence and nutrition support, and complete household management tasks. With a focus on community-based settings, students will demonstrate the importance of their observations through documenting and reporting to a supervisor while working within an interprofessional team. This course will support students in their clinical practice and throughout their preceptorship experience.
36 Hours
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in the clinical practice setting. Students will complete 110-120 hours of clinical placement (which may vary by campus) in a long-term care facility under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor. Students will demonstrate their ability to: work within the PSW role as a member of the interprofessional team; provide safe, client-centered care; maintain professionalism while establishing therapeutic relationships with clients and families; identify, document and report relevant client information; and assist clients with their activities of daily living. The clinical experience of PW 2011 provides students with a preparatory experience prior to entering PW2017 Preceptorship.
126 Hours
This course provides student with the opportunity to perform all the duties and responsibilities of a PSW under the guidance and supervision of a PSW preceptor. Students will work independently with their preceptor in the PSW role to demonstrate safe, competent, and client-centred care. Students will complete 240 hours of preceptorship in preparation for graduation workplace entry.
240 Hours
Career Ready Graduates
Articulation Agreements
A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.
Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List
CIP Code: 51.2602
International students: check the Canadian Field of Study/CIP Code List to see if your program is eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Practice professionally and be accountable for one’s own actions by applying problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as a member of a team.
- Practice as an engage member of the interprofessional team to maintain collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, and responsive client-centred care within care settings.
- Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse persoanl and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows the plan of care.
- Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a trusting, and respectful partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies, confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
- Identify information related to the client’s health using observation, critical thinking and communication skills to record, report and document all relevant findings, within the roles and responsibilities of the personal support worker.
- Create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others by including the implementation of current infection prevention and control measures, preparedness and best practices in pandemic planning, emergency and first aid procedures that are in alignment with the plan of care, employer policies, procedures, and all applicable legislation.
- Assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts, common alterations in functioning, health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation and restorative care, and holistic health care.
- Assist the client with medication following the client’s plan of care and if a delegated act, under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer policies.
- Assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort, safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
- Assist and support clients who are caregivers for dependent individuals, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
- Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse, and/or neglect, as requried within the personal support workers’ role and responsibilities, and as requid by all applicable legislation, including the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007.
- Assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally 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-centred care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges and illness(es), cognitive and intellectual impairments, and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.
Career Opportunities
Following successful completion of their program, graduates may be employed in a variety of community and institutional agencies.
Personal support workers care for clients who are stable and who have clearly identified needs that are not expected to change significantly. They work under supervision and as valuable members of care/service teams; provide personal care and home management services to clients who are experiencing physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural challenges. They are capable of providing organized competent care for individual clients and for their assigned multi-client groups. Personal support workers may also work under the direction of the client.
Explore labour market information for related careers and employment trend data from the Government of Canada Job Bank.
Admissions Information & Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- Grade 12 English (C, M, U)
Or equivalent
Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.
Applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program must undergo academic testing and may be required to complete Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process to demonstrate equivalency of admission requirements prior to admission into a program.
For more details, please contact the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 or admissions@northern.on.ca.
Additional Requirements for International Students
In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.
1. Proof of Senior High School Diploma/Certificate
2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):
- IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System – minimum overall score of 6.5 must be achieved, with no individual band score under 6.0.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet Based Test (iBT) overall minimum score of 88+
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic 60+
If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency.
All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.
For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.
Program Specific Requirements & Additional Information
The following requirements must be submitted prior to the start of the semester in order to be eligible to continue in the program.
- Personal Support Worker Clinical Requirements [PDF, 451 KB]
- Personal Support Worker Clinical Requirements (International) [PDF, 1.25 MB]
Below are additional requirements and/or forms that have to be completed before the start of the semester or the date specified.
On admission to the PSW program, students must complete and submit all mandatory clinical requirements by the due date of August 15th (some exceptions apply for International students). Students are strongly encouraged to ensure that they initiate the completion of all the mandatory clinical requirements by no later than June 1st to ensure that they avoid potential delays with access to CPR/First Aid training opportunities, medical appointments for Immunization/Communicable Disease Testing Requirements and any necessary vaccines, and processing of the Criminal Reference Check (CPIC) with Vulnerable Sector Screen in order to complete all requirements by the due date.
COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker programs in order to be permitted to attend clinical hours.
Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements will not be allowed into the practice settings and as such will not be able to complete the Practicum required to graduate from the program.
CPR certification, mask-fit testing, a criminal reference check, and immunization updates are required. Any costs for these tests/certifications will be the responsibility of the applicant.
In order to attend clinical practice settings, students are required to provide a recent Canadian Police Information Centre Criminal Record Synopsis (CPIC check) with Vulnerable Sector check. Students must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which they have not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in clinical practice courses and could prevent the student from graduating.
Students are responsible for the cost of appropriate uniforms and equipment (e.g. watch, pen, etc.) required for the clinical area as well as transportation to practicum placements.
Mask Fit Testing
This program requires that students wear a full-face self-contained breathing air (SCBA) mask or an approved N95 particulate respirator during certain learning situations reflective of safe workplace practice and standards. To successfully complete Mask Fit Testing to wear an SCBA mask or N95 mask, students shall present themselves for fit testing free from interference of hair where the respirator seals to the skin or neck. Students are required to be clean-shaven or have no hair where the mask seals to the skin. Mask fit testing will be provided by the College prior to clinical practice.
Work Integrated Learning Opportunities
Personal Support Worker students will experience group clinical placements at long-term care settings for 9-weeks in the second semester, followed by a 240-hour preceptorship experience for final consolidation of their learning. All program specific requirements must be submitted in order to proceed into the clinical setting.
Program Requisite Skills and Abilities
In both lab and placement settings, students must successfully demonstrate that they meet entry to practice competencies and possess the requisite skills and abilities necessary to provide safe, competent, and ethical healthcare. Although the Personal Support Worker is an unregulated profession and is not governed by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the skills and abilities to assist in the care of clients are very similar. Therefore, students should review the CNO Fact Sheet: Requisite Skills and Abilities Fact Sheet provides a description of what a Personal Support Worker will be expected to perform as a caregiver.
Tuition, Fees & Payments
The tuition and fees information is typically updated yearly for the upcoming Academic Year in May. The amounts are for the full academic year.
Amounts may be based on last years tuition and fees and are subject to change.
If you are a current student, please refer to your Student Account or see a Student Services Clerk for the most up-to-date information.
Tuition
Domestic: $2,720.56
International: $14,813.46
Program Specific Fees
Mask Fit Testing & N95 Masks: $40.00Ancillary Fees
Ancillary fees are paid in full for the entire academic year in the first semester.
The Convocation and Official Documentation Fee (GRA) of $100.00 only applies for the first year of each program.
Please see Detailed Ancillary Fees for more information.
| Ancillary Fees by Campus | Domestic | International |
| Haileybury (HL) | $976.50 | $1,589.00 |
| Kirkland Lake (KL) | $909.50 | $1,522.00 |
| Timmins (PC) | $945.50 | $1,558.00 |
Find Your True North.
At Northern College, you’re a part of a community.
From your teachers to support staff and administrators, we are all here to help you get an education and make some lasting connections along the way.
Your success is incredibly important to you, so we provide student supports to help you achieve your goals. From study assistance and accessibility services to mental health supports and financial aid, we’ve got you covered.
Each of Northern’s campuses boasts exercise facilities, a gym, cafeteria, study areas and a library – places that you can go to help keep you focused as you work your way through your studies. The communities we call home are incredible places, filled with amazing people and things to do.
Does Northern College sound like a good fit for you?
Here’s how to take your first steps on your new exciting and rewarding career path.