Personal Support Workers (PSW) work in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, group homes, hospitals and in the community for home care. At one time a Personal Support Workers was known as a Health Care Aide, Home Support Worker or Personal Attendant. PSW’s work mainly with elderly people or people with physical and mental disabilities.
Duties of a PSW:
- Perform routine household chores for clients
- Help clients with personal care
- Mobilize disabled people
- Offer friendship and companionship
- Be supportive to all clients
Work Requirements:
Physical strength is a very important for the PSW to have. They help in the moving and transportation of clients. They work in a number of different private homes with many different clients. They have to be able to adjust quickly to the different home settings. Shift work can be expected in this job. The PSW should have a positive and caring attitude.
Types of Work Environments:
- Home care settings
- Hospitals
- Long-term Care Facilities
Personality Requirements:
- Have a positive attitude
- Have patience and compassion
- Good organizational skills
- Flexible to changes
- CPR and first aid training
- Can work as a team and independently
Education: 1 years post-secondary
Health Care Aide College Certificate
Certification:
CPR and First Aid Training
Courses taken during high school which will assist you in a career as a PSW:
- Health
- Biology
- Math
- English
- Family Studies
Job placement – after 1 years of post-secondary education your chances of finding a job are considered - Good
The aging population will require extra assistance increasing the demand for services that the Home Care Workers provide. The number of qualified applicants will exceed the number of positions available.
Wages:
Average annual income: $16,000 to $28,000
The income depends on the employer and setting that the PSW works in.
Links:
Ontario Community Support Association
http://www.ocsa.on.ca
Ontario Long-Term Care Association
http://www.oltca.com
Hospice Association of Ontario
http://www.hospice.on.ca
Canadian Home Care Association
http://www.cdnhomecare.ca
Canadian Caregiver Coalition
http://www.ccc-ccan.ca
The Care Guide
http://www.thecareguide.com
Canadian Home Study
http://www.homecarestudy.com
The Canadian Association for Community Care
http://www.cacc-acssc.com
Canadian Health Network
http://www.canadian-health-network.ca
HOMECARE Online – National Association for Home Care (US)
http://www.nahc.org
Job Futures: Child Care and Home Support Workers
http://jobfutures.ca/noc/647.shtml
