Indigenous Overview
This program and all of its classes are delivered at Maple View Lodge in Athens, ON.
A Personal Support Worker (PSW) is a key member of the healthcare team, providing both physical and emotional care to those who are most vulnerable. Being a PSW is an incredibly rewarding career, and requires someone who is caring, patient, supportive, and interested in helping others.
This Ontario College Certificate program prepares students to provide personal care and support services to individuals and families. Responsibilities of the Personal Support Worker may include assisting with home management, facilitating social and recreational activities, and promoting health and well-being with clients from all ages of the lifespan.
The program has been developed to meet the standards published by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. These standards reflect the increased pre-employment education and training required by Personal Support Worker graduates entering the increasingly diverse health and social care environment.
learn in a living classroom at maple view lodge
Long-term care home Maple View Lodge has partnered with St. Lawrence College to deliver the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program onsite at their facility, using a living classroom model. This PSW program and all of its classes are delivered at Maple View Lodge in Athens, Ontario. The living classroom model will allow students enrolled in the program to have an immersive learning environment, becoming part of the facility from the beginning of their program, learning daily as part of the care team.
The Living Classroom program is funded by the Government of Ontario and led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) through the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI), in partnership with the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA).
incentives
While there IS tuition required for this program, Maple View Lodge is offering the following incentives to those enrolled:
- A bus that goes from SLC Brockville campus to Maple View Lodge in Athens. Once each way per day
- Paid placement
- A one-time contribution of $500 per student to support the purchase of textbooks
- 12 month guaranteed employment upon successful program completion and contingent on ongoing employment performance metrics
- Opportunity to start your career in a brand-new state-of-the-art facility, opening in 2025
- Opportunity to potentially be eligible for up to $15,400 in PSW incentives through Ontario Health
- Click here to review your eligibility for Ontario Health Incentives
- Please note that all incentives provided by Maple View Lodge are subject to eligibility requirements. To confirm the details and eligibility of these incentives, please contact Maple View Lodge directly: Cathy Fisher, Administrator of Maple View Lodge and Director of Maple View Landings: cathy.fisher@uclg.on.ca, or call 613-924-2696 ext. 6019.
Maple View Lodge, home to 60 Residents, is a long-term care home owned and operated by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville housed in approximately 50,000 square feet over two separate Resident Home Areas or RHAs. The RHAs are known as Brookside and Meadowview. Maple View Lodge is building a new facility for opening in 2025, greatly expanding their beds.
Program Details
Program Outline
2025-2026
This course provides an introduction to the roles, responsibilities, and work environments relevant to Personal Support Workers (PSWs), along with key legal, professional, and ethical issues in the field. Through case studies, classroom discussions, testing, students will explore the foundational principles and practices of PSW work in various settings, including healthcare facilities, community environments, and other healthcare workplaces.
This course introduces the student to the basic structure and function of the human body throughout the lifespan. Topics will include basic anatomy, medical terminology, physiology, nutritional needs, hygiene, the importance of body mechanics, and infection control. Through various activities, discussions, testing, students will gain a greater understanding of the human body.
This course develops professional communication and interpersonal skills essential for Personal Support Workers (PSWs). Students learn to interact effectively with clients, caregivers, supervisors, and colleagues through theory, role plays, and practical activities. Through various assessments, an emphasis is placed on clarity, self-awareness, and professionalism in both oral and written communication.
This course focuses on the role of Personal Support Workers in palliative and end-of-life care. Topics include the history of palliative care, the roles of various team members, and the physical and emotional impacts at the end of life and the grieving processes on clients, families, and caregivers. Through various assessments including case studies and personal reflections, students will develop self-awareness and a deeper understanding of all aspects of palliative and end of life care.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Health Requirements
Immunization - Communicable Disease Requirements
Completion of the Immunization - Communicable Disease Form is a mandatory condition for your clinical/practical placement. THIS FORM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Download your Immunization - Communicable Disease Form
Please note that proof of COVID-19 exemption (or valid medical exemption in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s Medical Exemptions to COVID-19) continues to be a requirement for our living classroom partner. Accordingly, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for individuals working or engaged in learning with this clinical and living classroom partner.
Questions regarding immunizations can be emailed to immunizations@sl.on.ca.
As an active SLC student, you are automatically enrolled in a student insurance plan. To learn more about how this applies to your immunization requirements please visit www.wespeakstudent.com (domestic) or www.guard.me (international).
OTHER PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for unpaid placement, enrolled students will need to complete a series of MANDATORY program and agency-specific pre-placement requirements. These will be discussed with students during class time and a Student Placement Facilitator will be in place to assist and answer all placement-related questions.
Students will need to complete the below mandatory requirements before classes begin:
- Standard First Aid & CPR Level BLS (formerly HCP) Certification
Must be completed through a WSIB-approved training provider. Certification must remain valid for the duration of the program and must not expire during placement.
- WSIB Certified First Aid/CPR Trainers
- Book a class ASAP as they fill up quickly
- Students can hold their certificate once completed and they will be instructed where and how to share it with the College during their class time
- All costs associated with the training are at the expense of the student
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
- Police Record Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening
Note: Certain criminal convictions may prevent a student from participating or completing placements for this program. Applicants with criminal records are required to contact the Associate Dean of the respective school (see Program Contacts below) prior to accepting an offer to this program to discuss and confirm participation within this program is suitable.
A recent Police Record Check including the Vulnerable Sector Screening is an agency requirement and is MANDATORY to begin any unpaid placement for this Program.
- Students will be notified when to apply for their Police Record Check by the Pre-placement Planning Coordinator to ensure the dates remain valid for their placement period.
- Many agencies want these updated every 3-6 months. All costs associated with obtaining a Police Record Check are at the expense of the student.
- Enrolled students will be notified of further instruction through their SLC email account or their Blackboards and should continue to monitor frequently.
ADDITIONAL PLACEMENT INFORMATION
Students with outstanding pre-placement requirements will not be eligible to begin placement and may be denied to begin placement or be required to pay additional fees (at their own expense) to continue and complete the placement component.
Pre-placement requirements are subject to change based on placement agency and/or legislative or regulatory changes.
Program-specific or additional questions? Please email the Program Contact(s) listed below.
Placement
Placements are done at the host agency.
Fees
2025-2026
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Tuition fees are subject to change pending confirmation of provincial Ministry Funding rates for 2025-2026.
Career Opportunities
Personal Support Workers are unregulated health care providers. They work as a member of the care and support team under the supervision of a regulated health professional or supervisor, or in the supported independent living environment, under the direction of the client.
Vocational Learning Outcomes for the Personal Support Worker
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. Work within the personal support worker role in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer’s job description, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
2. Act responsibly and be accountable for own actions while recognizing the boundaries of knowledge and skills within the personal support worker role that require collaboration with the clients, families, supervisors and/or other members of the interprofessional care/service team.
3. Participate as a member of the interprofessional care/service team and maintain collaborative working relationships in the provision of supportive care in community, retirement homes, long-term care homes and/or hospital care settings.
4. Provide client-centred and client-directed care that is based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse client and family values, beliefs and needs, and which follows the direction of the plan of care/service plan.
5. Establish and maintain helping relationships with clients and their families reflecting open communication, professional boundaries, employer’s policies and adhering to confidentiality and privacy legislation.
6. Identify relevant client information using basic assessment and communication skills and report and document findings in accordance with the requirements of employer policies and procedures and all applicable legislation.
7. Promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others including the implementation of infection prevention and control measures and emergency first aid procedures that are in keeping with the plan of care/service plan, employer policies and procedures, and all applicable legislation.
8. Assist clients across the lifespan with routine activities of daily living by applying basic knowledge of growth and development, common alterations in functioning, disease prevention, health promotion and maintenance, rehabilitation, and restorative care.
9. Assist clients with medication in keeping with the direction of the plan of care/service plan and under the direction and monitoring of a regulated health professional or most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer’s policies.
10. Assist with household management tasks and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care/service plan and considering the preferences, comfort and safety of clients, families and significant others.
11. Assist clients who are caring for dependent individuals considering client and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care/service plan.
12. Identify and report situations of neglect, and potential, alleged or witnessed/actual incidents of abuse, and respond in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer’s policies and procedures.
13. Assist in the provision of culturally relevant palliative and end-of life care to clients experiencing life threatening illness and to their families and significant others, from diagnosis through death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care/service plan.
14. Use identified approaches and best practices to support positive and safe behaviour in clients experiencing cognitive impairment, mental health challenges and/or responsive behaviours.
Personal Support Worker graduates may be employed in a variety of health and social care/support settings, including:
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Retirement homes
- Community‐based group residences
- Adult day centres
- Community home care
Program Contacts
Program Contact
Angie Dukelow
adukelow@sl.on.ca
613.345.0660, ext. 3152
Health and Wellness General Inquiries
healthsciences@sl.on.ca
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.