What is the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program?
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) program at OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges Toronto campus is a 37-week, in-person program that prepares students to become qualified caregivers in the Ontario healthcare space. Through interactive academic training and lab sessions, provided by early childhood education experts in the field, and hands-on practice through guaranteed clinical placements, our graduates develop the knowledge, hands-on skills, and experience needed to succeed in this in-demand field.
Why Study With Us?
Achieve a recognized post-secondary certificate in only 40 weeks.
Work in an in-demand field in Ontario.
Guaranteed clinical placements to help you learn how to put academic theory into practice with experts in the field.
Preparation for jobs including Personal Support Worker, Nurses Aide, Orderly, Patient Services Associate, and more!
Receive access to high-quality education with state-of-the-art facilities that inspire engaged learning and collaboration.
Gain access to Career Academy Canada – a free program designed to build your career readiness skills for success in the workplace.
Study in Vancouver
Your Career Path Starts Here
Explore the vibrant streets of downtown Vancouver, enjoy breath-taking landscapes, and make memories that will last a lifetime – all while building your knowledge and career opportunities in the hospitality and business industries.
Personal Support Workers play a critical role in individual's lives by providing meaningful support and care to those in need - from emotional and physical support to helping with daily living activities. The job of a PSW involves caring for people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds.
For a limited time only, we are offering enrolled students a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to tuition. This scholarship is available to all students. Starting your journey to becoming a Personal Support Worker has never been this affordable!
Program Courses
Our Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate program was specifically designed to meet industry demand and employer needs. The PSW Certificate program is licensed by NACC (National Association of Career Colleges), which means its content, standards, and guidelines are relevant, up-to-date, and in line with industry requirements. The NACC program was developed and is maintained by a committee of academic and industry experts.
During the PSW program, our students learn from highly qualified instructors that have years of experience in the field as healthcare workers. Through our quality curriculum, students develop a thorough understanding of caregiver theory, techniques, and practices required to succeed in the field.
PSW Foundations
Safety and Mobility
Body Systems
Assisting with Personal Hygiene
Abuse and Neglect
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
Care Planning/Restorative Care/Documentation/Working in the Community
Assisting the Family, Growth and Development
Assisting the Dying Person
Assisting with Medications
Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries
Health Conditions
Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care
Program Details
Students are required to participate in 300 hours of clinical placements in a full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week) capacity. These clinical placements are a fantastic way to build real-world skills, improve confidence levels, and help students learn how to engage with clients in an appropriate manner. At OICC, we have a 100% practicum placement rate, meaning we guarantee our students will get the valuable opportunity to experience working as a PSW.
Long Term Care Facility Placement | 200 hours
During the Facility Placement, students will develop and enhance the skills they have gained throughout their theory and lab practice of the program. Skills and responsibilities include:
Recognizing/identifying changes in client's behaviours/conditions and report changes.
Understand the use of medical terms, abbreviations, and the 24-hour clock.
Safely operate and clean equipment.
Assist with hygiene/grooming/dressing and surroundings.
Work with client's abilities promoting safety, security, dignity, and independence.
Community Placement | 100 hours
Throughout the Community Placement, students may be sent to sites such as home care services providing care to clients in their homes; supportive housing; attendant outreach; retirement homes; education settings; group homes; adult day programs; hospice programs. This placement will help students develop and enhance the skills they have gained throughout their theory and lab practice of the program. Skills and responsibilities include:
Recognizing/identifying changes in client's behaviours/conditions and report changes.
Understand the use of medical terms, abbreviations, and the 24-hour clock.
Safely operate and clean equipment.
Assist with hygiene/grooming/dressing and surroundings.
Work with client's abilities promoting safety, security, dignity, and independence.
Personal Support Worker (PSW) Career Opportunities
Our Personal Support Worker (PSW) program is designed to meet the demand for qualified and high-performing PSWs in Ontario by equipping our graduates with the right knowledge and skillset required to succeed in this rewarding field.
The Government of Canada Labour Market Information reports that the employment outlook will be good for Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 3413) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period. The growing and aging population in Ontario will increase demand for workers and there are continued investments to increase care and capacity at long-term homes, in addition to various initiatives supporting home and community-based care. In fact, up to 24,000 new Personal Support Workers will be needed by 2026!
Once you graduate from our Personal Support Worker Certificate program, you have a few different career path options, including:
Personal Support Worker (PSW)
Nurses Aide
Orderly
Patient Services Associate
When you are enrolled in our Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate program, you also join Career Academy Canada – a free career-readiness program that’s designed to help you identify and map out your career goals, as well as build the skills you need to not only succeed during interviews, but land your dream job. From resume and cover letter writing to networking and interview practice, you’ll get access to a variety of in-person and virtual workshops and tools that will help you build your career confidence and successfully enter into the healthcare field.
What You Will Learn During the Program
The Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate program provides graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills required to succeed in the Canadian healthcare field as a caregiver. In addition to academic theory taught in-class, students will also participate in two different practicum placements in Long Term Care and Community settings.
What Our Students Say About Us
As a student at Oxford International, I have had the chance to meet amazing people from around the globe and have learned a lot from the excellent professors at Oxford International College.
Karen Desai
Student |
The best decision I have made in my entire life! Thank you Oxford international college. And special thanks to my instructors, Shannon Thixton, Avis Morehouse, the director-Sheila Nunn and the entire team. I love you all so dearly. Thank you 🙏
Richard Josephine Asoh
Student |
Oxford International College Halifax is always lovely place to study.
Isaiah Chinyere
Student |
Tuition and PaymentPlans
We offer payment plan options to help make education affordable and accessible for all students. Our Admissions team will help walk you through the details and make sure you can make your educational and career goals a reality.
Yes! All students (domestic and international) are eligible for the $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship will be automatically applied to their tuition fees.
In addition to the Personal Support Worker Certificate program, we also offer a 40-week Early Childhood Education Diploma program for students interested in pursuing a career in childcare.
Please fill out the form at the top of the page and one of our Admissions Advisors will get in touch shortly to help you begin the process.
OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges Toronto Campus
Study in the heart of downtown Toronto, walking distance from the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Scotia Bank Arena. Our OICC Toronto campus is centrally-located with easy access by public transit and car, with parking available just across the street.
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