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Personal Support Worker (NACC) accredited Certificate Program

Freedom College's Personal Support Worker (NACC) accredited Certificate Program prepares students in the rewarding and fulfilling field of providing supportive care to individuals and people of all ages. They will also learn many valuable skills which can be used to promote and develop a broad range of abilities to provide not only the comfort, safety and well-being of their clients, but also demonstrate sensitivity for those in their care. The graduate will be able to provide individualized client-centered care based on a plan of care that incorporates the individual’s culture and values and work with the team including the client and family. The PSW graduates have been trained to meet established learning outcomes; program standards and their knowledge required to do the job as verified by third party testing. The skills required to do the job, have been verified in clinical settings prior to graduation to provide supportive care to individuals including clients experiencing, cognitive impairment, physical disability, and mental health challenges across their lifespan by assisting them with their activities of daily living. Graduates may find employment opportunities in a variety of care settings including:

  • Long-term care facilities
  • Home care services giving care to clients living in their own homes in community
  • Supportive housing settings including seniors’ apartments and retirement homes
  • Group homes
  • Hospitals
  • Adult day programs
  • Educational facilities

PROGRAM MODULES FOR PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER PROGRAM

Module 1
PSW Foundations
The introductory module provides an overview of the scope of responsibilities of PSWs in a variety of settings. Students will learn about client-centred versus client-directed care; and emphasizing the individuality of the client and his/her relationship with family, friends and others. Key topics include work relationships, stress and time management, interpersonal skills and communications, including conflict resolution and problem solving, and applicable legislation.
Module 2
Safety and Mobility
The second module covers safety as it relates to both the client and the worker. One of the fundamental activities of the PSW is that of assisting the client with routine activities of living. Students will learn about risks of unsafe equipment or settings and appropriate actions to take when unsafe situations are identified. Topics include infection control methods, body mechanics, and transferring and lifting techniques using equipment to increase safety and reduce client anxiety.
Module 3
Body Systems
This module will introduce the student to the basics of anatomy and physiology. Students will gain an understanding of human body systems in order to apply that knowledge in their daily work as a Personal Support Worker. These body systems are: the musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, integumentary, reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine. Common disorders and age-related changes for each body system will also be covered.
Module 4
Assisting with Personal Hygiene
PSW’s assist clients with all activities or routines of daily living. Students will learn how to care for the ill, disabled, injured and/or confused client. Frailness, dignity and levels of dependence will be considered. Personal hygiene includes oral care, perineal care, bathing, grooming, dressing, bed making, shaving, hair care, and skin care. It includes mobility considerations and involves personal safety, self-esteem and dignity. The foundation of this module is humanistic health care.
Module 5
Abuse and Neglect
This module introduces students to the concepts of violence and abuse, including its possible signs, and the appropriate actions and legal requirements if abuse is suspected. Personal beliefs and attitudes about family violence and abuse are examined, as is the concept of worker abuse of the client and, abuse of the worker. PSW will learn to recognize both indicators and causes, and the requirements of legislation, employer policy, and provisions of the service contract or support plan
Module 6
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
Students will learn to assist the client with their nutritional needs, household activities, and household management according to client preferences, comfort and safety within employer guidelines as required. Nutritional needs include planning balanced menus, preparing shopping lists and shopping, safe handling of food, and storage and specific cooking techniques. The special dietary needs of certain clients and their cultural and religious preferences will all be addressed.
Module 7
Care Planning/ Restorative Care/ Documentation/ Working in the Community
This module identifies the support provided through the care plan or service contract to the client to relearn or regain routine abilities. They will understand its significance, and the rights of the client as a receiver of support and the purpose, methods, and persons involved in its creation. Student will also be introduced to working in the community health care environment, providing support to patients and families in communities, conducted in accordance with employer guidelines.
Module 8
Laboratory
Students learn to understand family characteristics in terms of structure, functions, roles, lifestyles and relationships. The influence of cultural values, practices, religious beliefs as well as the effects of illness, stress, and disability on family relationships will be emphasized as central to the PSW’s ability to provide effective support. This module also explores the stages of growth and development throughout the life cycle and the role of the PSW in providing respite to families.
Module 9
Assisting the Dying Person
In this module students learn about hospice, palliative and end-of-life care, the integration of a palliative approach to care, ways of being, communication and practical strategies to provide psychosocial support and physical comfort care for both the person and their family. This module addresses provincial palliative care competencies (2018-2020) including competencies for caring for First Nation, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous peoples.
Module 10
Assisting with Medications
Within the PSW scope of practice, students learn about medication administration versus assistance. They gain basic knowledge of the drugs used in the treatment of common diseases and disorders including use, classification, effects, and routes of administration. They identify purposes, required instruction, and cautions; and the importance of observation for both desired and undesired outcomes, as well as the procedures to be followed in the event of a concern or problem with medications.
Module 11
Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries
This module introduces students to common psychiatric conditions such as affective disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, cognitive impairment, and brain injury. The possibility of multiple conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression will be discussed along with the role of the family caregiver and the importance of observation, documentation, and reporting in order to recognize changes in behavior that can be related to psychiatric conditions or an increased risk of suicide.


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Announcements

(Special points of interest)

  • COVID-19 Updates: In response to the increasing COVID-19 positive cases, Premier Doug Ford has moved Toronto into the grey “Lockdown” zone starting 23rd November, 2020. This decision has been taken to slow down the transmission rate and help keep the most vulnerable safe. The health and safety of our students and the Freedom College community is our number one priority. We have shared responsibilities in following the recommendations of the Government of Canada and Provincial and Local Public Health authorities. Freedom College is committed to meeting the measures outlined for as long as it is required by the Government.: November 23rd 2020 - December 31st 2022
  • Freedom College is a proud member of the National Association of Career Colleges and Career Colleges Ontario : March 29th 2021
  • Registration for 2021 - 2022 Falls begins June 2021. Winter Registration begins October 2021 and Summer registration starts April 2022: December 1st 2021 - December 3rd 2022
  • Registrations Open: Keeping in mind the health and safety of our staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic Freedom College continues to provide the PSW and DSW program classes online. Registrations for May 2022 intake are open.: March 2nd 2022 - August 31st 2022
  • We are currently accepting applications for Developmental Services Worker and Personal Support Worker programs. Registration is on-going. The delivery format for these two programs are Combination of in-person and online (hybrid). We also offer the NACC Personal Support Worker 2022 Certificate Program. The Delivery Format for this program is Full in-person delivery.: April 27th 2022
  • Freedom College of Business, Healthcare and Technology Inc. is now offering NACC -PSW 2022. This is a Full in-person delivery program. : April 28th 2022