Healthcare
Personal Support Worker
Join a rapidly growing industry with high employment opportunities as an essential healthcare worker in just 31 weeks. Plus, fortify your training with 12 weeks of real-world, hands-on internship.
About The Program
This NACC Personal Support Worker 2022 certificate program provides you an entryway into the growing Canadian healthcare industry, which is experiencing unprecedented government investment including:
- up to $5,400 stipend while you complete your placement
- up to $10,000 incentive if you commit to working in a long-term care home or with a home and community care service provider for 12 months
- an additional $10,000 if home or provider is in a rural, remote, or northern location
Choose from two learning options:
- hybrid learning that combines online and in-person classes.
- on campus learning offers a fully immersive, hands-on experience with direct guidance from our expert instructors.
If you are interested in pursuing your training in partnership with our Employer Training Sites in Norwood and Lindsay please click here.
Career Opportunities
As a PSW, there is flexibility when it comes to choosing your path in the industry. Although a majority of these professionals work for private and not-for-profit home care agencies, others are employed by nursing homes and hospitals. There is also the option to be your own boss and work self-employed.
Employers Who Have Hired triOS Grads
- Paramed Home Health Care
- Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario
- Home Instead Senior Care
- Revera Home Health
- Von Canada
- Chartwell Retirement Residence
- Canadian Red Cross
- Responsive Group
*Note that some career options may require advanced degrees, further training or experience.
Salary
Employment Rate*
Average Wage/HR**
High Wage/HR**
*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable triOS graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 4412/44101, 3413/33102 - **Wage data based on NOC Code 3413 and rounded down to the nearest dollar. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.
Available Learning Options
At triOS College, you can choose the learning option that meets your needs. This program is currently available in:
On-Campus
Instructor-led classes held in-person at one or more of our 9 campuses.
Personal Support Worker
Duration: 31 Weeks
Internship: 12 Weeks
Hybrid
Instructor-led classes on a set schedule held remotely on video over the Internet, with some courses delivered in-person at one of our 9 campuses.
Personal Support Worker
Duration: 31 Weeks
Internship: 12 Weeks
Program Details
Do you want to start your career in the growing healthcare industry? Are you passionate about helping people care for their emotional and physical well-being? If so, the NACC Personal Support Worker 2022 certificate program at triOS College will set you up for a successful future.
A personal support worker (PSW) provides assistance in routine living activities such as: mobility, personal care and hygiene, ongoing medical conditions, and the management of household activities. As a trained PSW, you may look after patients in a home, hospital, and/or long-term care facility.
The NACC Personal Support Worker 2022 program delivers strong administrative and clinical skills and knowledge, the skills necessary to implement theories on topics such as cognitive and mental health issues and brain injuries, and the know-how to assist with patients’ medications. The completion of the in-class courses is followed by a 12-week clinical placement where you’ll get hands-on experience in the field.
Students enrolled in this program will receive:
- Clinical work placement in a community and long-term care facility
- National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) curriculum that maps to the Ontario provincial-approved training standard
- Classrooms that simulate real-world healthcare setting, including hospital beds, wheelchairs and other required equipment
- Software subscriptions for Microsoft Office and Windows included in the tuition fee
- CPR (HCP–Healthcare Provider Level / BLS-Basic Life Support)/First Aid
- Gentle Persuasive Approach Certificate
- Intramuscular/ Subcutaneous Insulin Administration
Course Listings
Career Management
Abuse and Neglect
Body Systems
Care Planning, Restorative Care, Documentation, Working in the Community
Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries
CPR & First Aid
Assisting the Dying Person
Assisting the Family, Growth and Development
PSW Foundations
Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care
Health Conditions
Assisting with Personal Hygiene
Clinical Placement (Facility)
Clinical Placement (Community)
Assisting with Medications
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
NACC PSW Exam
Safety and Mobility
Student Success Strategies
Admission Requirements
1. Student has an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent OR is 18 years of age or older on or before the program begins AND can pass a qualifying test that has been approved by the Superintendent.*
2. The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 11.
3. Student must provide a Clear Medical Certificate within 45 days of the commencement of study.
4. Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check within 45 days of the commencement of study.
5. If English is not a student’s first language, they must provide proof of English competency.
English Language Proficiency Requirements are ONE of the following:
- IELTS – Int’l English Language Testing Services – Minimum score of 5.5 with no subject test score lower than 5.5
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet based test (IBT) – Overall 80 with the minimum in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20
- CAEL: Overall 60 No section below 60
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General with a score of 7 (no section score below)
- Canadian Language Benchmark Tests with a score of 7 in each strand (not an average of 7)
- Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 95
- Pearson PTE Academic with a minimum score of 46
- NACC Written Entrance Exam (passing score of 60)
- Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at a Canadian institution
- Evidence of successful completion of 2 consecutive years of full-time equivalent post-secondary study in English at an institution outside of Canada
*Applicants from other Canadian provinces must be at least 19 years of age and a minimum of 1 year out of high school by the program start date and successfully pass an academic achievement test.
Please contact us for more detail regarding admissions requirements for international students.
Approved by NACC
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) program is delivered in partnership with the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC). Students who pass the NACC Final Exam will receive a registered and approved NACC certificate.
Career Quiz
Take a quick and easy quiz to find out more about yourself, your goals, and identify your strengths and social style. This quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might consider based on your likes and preferences. Give it a try now!
Success Stories
The Personal Support Worker program helped equip me for a successful career in my field. The combination of in-class practice and theory helped me to develop a deep understanding of not only how to be a PSW, but a great PSW. I am thankful that trios college has a comfortable, engaging, accepting, patient, and supportive environment and staff.
Zachary D.
Graduate