The majority of our amazing caregiver team here at Selectacare are Personal Support Workers, or PSWs for short. Home care companies like us recruit Personal Support Workers to enable us to deliver home care and support services to individuals across the GTA who require assistance because of their age, illness or disability. In this article we take a closer look at the role of a Personal Support Worker, what duties they perform, the qualifications they require to do their job in Canada, and where they can work.
Typical PSW role:
Personal Support Workers provide a range of care and support activities to individuals in their own homes, or in the long-term care facilities they are residing in. Their role is not to be confused with Registered Nurses, who follow a different education path and scope of practice. Typical care and support duties that Personal Support Workers undertake can include the following…
- Assisting with Activities of Daily Living – where individuals need help with all aspects of personal care and hygiene, toileting and dressing.
- Help with mobility – where individuals with mobility needs require help getting in and out of bed, sitting and standing, walking and general movement.
- Help with meals – assisting individuals at mealtimes when needed, including the preparation of meals.
- Companionship – many Personal Support Workers also provide much needed companionship and emotional support for individuals they care for.
- Adhering to medication routines – assisting individuals follow and comply with any medication routines prescribed by health and medical professionals.
- Help monitoring health – assisting individuals monitor health issues and reporting concerns to necessary health professionals.
Training requirements for a PSW:
Individuals interested in a career as a Personal Support Worker will typically undertake a PSW program. These programs are widely available across the country at certified colleges and other institutions. Candidates will need to successfully complete an 8-to-9-month course, which covers both practical elements in clinical settings and classroom work. The exam at the end of the course will depend on which province or territory the individual is keen to seek employment in.
Where a PSW can work:
Once fully qualified in Canada, a Personal Support Worker is then able to apply for positions in various healthcare settings. These typically include the following…
- Providing In-Home Care – where a Personal Support Worker can provide a range of care and support duties to clients in their own home. They may choose to work for a Home Care Company such as Selectacare who offers this service.
- Working in Long-Term Care – where a Personal Support Worker provides care and support to clients in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.
- Within Hospital Wards – where a Personal Support Worker works alongside other health professionals to deliver care and support. PSWs roles are very much prevalent in rehabilitation, palliative care and geriatric wards in hospitals.
- With Community Health Agencies – where a Personal Support Worker is employed within an organization that provides community healthcare services to individuals.
The Demand for PSWs in Canada
As the ageing population continues to grow, coupled with more and more seniors wanting to receive any care and support they need in their own homes, the demand for Personal Support Workers has been steadily increasing in Canada. Home care is preferred by many seniors as it is a more affordable healthcare option, plus it allows them to continue independent living in their own homes. Personal Support Workers step in to satisfy this growing trend for home care and support.
Selectacare PSWs
Selectacare is delighted to have on board some of the best Personal Support Workers to be found in the GTA. Our core team of PSW caregivers are passionate about delivering the best possible care to individuals. That is why Selectacare has become one of the most preferred homecare companies in Toronto and the surrounding region.