Personal support work is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand careers in Canada, with an estimated 191,000 new job openings expected to emerge between 2022 and 2031. As more Canadians consider joining this rewarding field, you might be wondering: What exactly does a career in personal support work entail, and how can you get started in this growing profession?
In this blog, we will explore what a personal support worker (PSW) career involves, provide a roadmap for getting started, highlight where to find job opportunities after graduation and examine the various incentives that come with working in this sector.
What Does Personal Support Work Involve?
PSWs are often the primary source of care and companionship for individuals who require assistance with daily tasks, making their role invaluable in settings such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, private homes, group homes, retirement communities and more.
Key responsibilities for PSWs can include:
- Managing medication schedules and ensuring patients follow prescribed treatments.
- Observing patients’ living environments to identify potential hazards or changes in health.
- Documenting patient progress through records, including progress notes and communication logs.
These duties make PSWs invaluable to the healthcare system and essential to patients in need across the country.
Kickstarting a Personal Support Worker Career
So, how do you begin your journey as a PSW? First, you will need to earn a high school diploma or the equivalent credits. After that, you can obtain a PSW certificate from an accredited institution, such as Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation (OIHI).
OIHI currently offers the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) Personal Support Worker (PSW) program, with monthly intakes available. The program’s curriculum is crafted by industry experts and undergoes regular reviews to ensure high quality training and education.
At OIHI, students can complete their studies in as little as 28 weeks, with 400 hours of practical labs and theory studied online, plus 300 combined hours of clinical placements in both long-term care and community settings.
Once you obtain your PSW certificate, you will be prepared to step into your career and start making a difference in the healthcare sector.
Finding Personal Support Work Jobs After Graduation
After earning your certificate, the next step is finding your first job. Fortunately, these websites regularly post PSW job openings, along with application instructions, deadlines, pay ranges and other key details:
- AdvantAge Ontario
- Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA)
- Ontario Health atHome
- Employment Options
- Job Bank
To further support your job search, OIHI provides access to a dedicated Career Services team that can help you refine your resume and cover letter, as well as offer personalized interview preparation, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident when applying for any PSW opening.
Incentives for Personal Support Workers
Working as a PSW also offers financial benefits, with various government incentives designed to assist students and new graduates along their journey:
- $5,400 upon completing a clinical placement in long-term care homes and other settings.
- $10,000 for working one year in long-term care homes and other settings.
- $10,000 for working in rural, remote or northern long-term care homes and other settings.
These incentives can help offset education costs, support living expenses and encourage you to work in areas where there may be a higher demand for PSWs.
Personal support work offers a fulfilling career path with many opportunities in Canada’s growing healthcare sector. With strong job prospects, streamlined education options and valuable incentives, a career as a PSW is both stable and rewarding.
Ready to take the next step toward a promising role as a PSW? Visit our website to learn more about OIHI’s NACC PSW program and reach out to us at info@oihi.ca with any questions. If you are still unsure, check out our previous blog post to explore more reasons why this career could be the perfect fit for you!