AMDSB Personal Support Worker Certification Program in Huron - Perth Feb 2022
Description
- Full Personal Support Worker (PSW) certification program, with on-the-job training, offered as co-operative education (co-op)
- This program includes the following components:
- 3 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits (theory, 330 hours, live virtual or in-person)
- 3 OSSD credits (co-op, 330 hours)
- 1 OSSD credit - supervised clinical (110 hours incorporated into 3 theory credit timeline)
- 2 OSSD credits - community placement (220 hours completed after)
- will include a placement in a long-term care facility as well as a community placement in a group home, adult day program, community health agency, respite care facility or an assisted living facility
Incentives for participants
- Registration fee waived (value of $1500)
- Cost of 2 uniforms, 1 pair of shoes and mandatory tests/documentation reimbursed up to a value of $500, after completion of 2 weeks of the program.
- Pay available for co-op component (up to $5,115)
- With permission, can use a current work placement for up to 220 hours of the 330 hours of co-op
- No high school diploma is required to register or complete this program
- Credits received can also count towards a high school diploma
Program Information
| Length | Approximate Dates | Schedule | Format | Location | Hours per day | Notes | |
|
3 theory credits AND 1 supervised clinical co-op |
30-32 weeks | Feb 28-Sept 30th |
2 days per week
PLUS 5 hours per week independent work |
Online (live) 1 day per week In-person 1 day per week 5 hours of independent work each week |
Stratford (group 1) Goderich (group 2) |
6 (online days) 6 (in-person days) Independent work to be completed according to due dates outlined by the instructor |
Co-op credit is completed with class and instructor |
| 2 co-op credits | 220 hours as scheduled by the student | Oct 1-Dec 16th |
Co-op placements (with approval) are chosen and organized by the student with support if needed 1 co-op credit must be in a community placement |
Co-op placement would include early morning, afternoon and weekend shifts. If the student already has a job, they can use this for 1 of their co-op placements. |
Hours and Locations
Group 1 (Stratford)
-
- Mondays (online live) - 8:30am-11:30am, 12:00pm-3:00pm (with Group 2)
- Wednesdays (in person) - Stratford - Spruce Lodge - 8:30am-11:30am, 12:00pm-3:00 pm
- 5 hours independent work each week
Group 2 (Goderich)
-
- Mondays (online live) - 8:30 am - 11:30 am, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (with Group 1)
- Thursdays (in person) - Goderich - Maitland Manor - 8:30am-11:30am, 12:00pm-3:00 pm
- 5 hours independent work each week
Timelines and Vacation
First Session (theory/clinical) - Feb 28th - Sept 30th
Second Session (co-op placement) - Oct 1st - Dec 16th
Vacation
- Mar 14 - Mar 18 -March Break
- Friday, April 15th - Good Friday
- Monday, April 18th - Easter Monday
- May 22 -Victoria Day
- July 4 - 8 Vacation Week
- Aug 1 - 5 Vacation Week
- Aug 29 - Sept 2 Vacation Week
- September 4th - Labourer Day - Monday Only
- Sept 19 - 23 (if completed lab/theory can begin co-op)
- Sept 26 - 30 (if completed lab/theory can begin co-op)
Admission Requirements
- 18 years of age or older
- Resident of Ontario
- Must have reliable transportation to be able to commute to lab and placement
- Be able to work early mornings, afternoons, and weekends at co-op placement as required
- Have reliable access to the Internet and a computer
- Have a fitness level necessary to perform the duties required of a PSW
- Provide copies of all documents requested below
- All applicants must undergo a literacy assessment and interview and will be notified of final acceptance into the program
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION DOES NOT MEAN ACCEPTANCE
Documents Required During Application
- Proof of residency (must provide one: driver's license, tax bill, lease agreement, utility bill, etc..)
- A copy of your secondary school transcript
- Proof of Canadian Citizenship. If you are a non-Canadian citizen you will need to complete the “Confirmation of Residency and Eligibility Form” at registration. This will be examined by a school board official to verify eligibility
- If English is not your first language: proof of Canadian Language Benchmark Level
Documents to be Submitted After Registration
- Clear vulnerable sector check. This screening must include no convictions including pending convictions. Failure to produce a clear VSC will result in being unable to fulfill the requirements of the PSW program due to the inability to secure a placement for clinical and co-op
- Immunization Record (needs to be completed to show proof of immunity for some placements; blood titers must accompany the immunization record if required by placement)
- Medical form completed and signed by your doctor
- Current Two-step TB test (If step one-skin test is positive - you must include a chest x-ray showing report of “no active tuberculosis”
- Proof of influenza vaccine (vaccine is mandatory for clinical and co-op placements)
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccine; Dose 1, Dose 2 and Booster Dose (if eligible)
(Vaccine is mandatory for clinical and co-op placements) - Current resume or a list of jobs you have held including dates
Students are required to purchase the following items before the program starts. Expenses for these items will be reimbursed as outlined below.
- NAVY blue scrubs - 2 sets are recommended and will be required for clinical, co-op placements, at graduation and at the discretion of your instructor.
- 1 pair of shoes - closed toe, closed heel, white nursing type shoe or white running shoes. Crocs or shoes with holes are not permitted to be worn on placement or during lab.
The following are items that students need to pay for upfront, and before the program begins, but which AMDSB will reimburse up to a total of $500 after completion of 2 weeks of the program (with receipts):
Included with Registration
- Classroom and lab instruction
- Textbook/workbook (Mosby’s Canadian)
- First Aid/CPR
- Mental Health First Aid
- GPA Training
- WHMIS
- St. Peter Feeding Training
- Mobility Training
- Safe Food Handling Course
- Restorative Therapy Training
- Lab supplies
- N95 Mask Fit
- Component of facility rental
- Equipment/Supplies Purchase, Replacement, and Repair
- OLTCA Pin (registry list if successful in the course) – presented at graduation
Admission Process
- Send an email of interest to [email protected]
- Receive information and application package via email.
- Fill out and submit the application package according to the instructions.
- Wait for notice of moving forward in the application process.
- Complete next steps as instructed and await final approval.