How to Become a Personal Support Worker in Ontario

The description of a Personal Support Worker will always vary from job to job but in general, some of the most common duties are:

• Following a care plan, observing and reporting any substantial findings and/or changes in patient/resident/client’s behavior to the appropriate registered member of the healthcare team.
• Working under the supervision of a Registered Healthcare Professional such as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
• Performing tasks delegated to them (only if they are trained to perform the delegated task)
• Assisting with ambulation, positioning and transferring using mechanical lifts such as a Hoyer lift.
• Assisting or providing total personal care such as toileting, and bathing.
• Assisting with eating, dressing and grooming.
• Assisting nursing staff by answering call bells (In Hospitals and Long-Term care homes)
• Performing sitter duty or patient-watch for confused patients in clinical care settings.
• Computer or paper documentation of Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and other findings.
• Reporting behavioral and clinical changes to a Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, Resource Nurse or Manager.

In addition to the basic outline of a Personal Support Worker, there are a number of different employment opportunities across Ontario.  Personal Support Work is a highly employable field with many positions available at various healthcare locations such as hospitals, private healthcare facilities, hospices, retirement and nursing residences, palliative care units and in-home care positions.

For more information about earning your certificate in Personal Support Work and becoming career ready in less than a year, contact Anderson College today.

Andersoncollege.com