PSW Bridging
To purchase one of NACC’s highly regarded programs, the college must be a member of the National Association of Career Colleges. Learn how to become a member.
The NACC Personal Support Worker Bridging (PSWB) program is based on the Ontario Personal Support Worker Training Standard released in January 2022. The NACC program content, standards and guidelines, combined with the clinical component of the program, ensure that the graduates have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful as a Personal Support Worker (PSW).
The PSW program prepares graduates to provide supportive care to individuals, including clients experiencing cognitive impairment, physical disability, and mental health challenges across their lifespan, by assisting them with their activities of daily living.
The NACC program was developed and maintained by a committee consisting of consultants, program design experts, subject-matter experts from both the Regulated College sector, employer groups and NACC staff. The program has been updated to support hybrid learning for colleges with a Learning Management System (LMS).
Purchasing Requirements
To purchase the NACC Personal Support Worker Bridging Program a college must be:
- A registered Regulated Career College in Ontario
- Ministry approved to deliver the NACC Personal Support Worker Program 2022
- Have successfully run the NACC Personal Support Worker Program 2022 for at least a year
- Be in good standing with the NACC
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
-
Understand the role, responsibilities, and scope of practice of a Personal Support Worker, including legislative and ethical requirements in Ontario.
-
Provide person-centred supportive care for individuals across the lifespan, including those experiencing cognitive impairment, physical disability, and mental health challenges.
-
Assist safely with activities of daily living, such as hygiene, dressing, mobility, positioning, and transfers.
-
Apply safe body mechanics and mobility techniques, including the use of mechanical lifts and assistive devices.
-
Support home management tasks, including meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and routine family care.
-
Check, record, and report vital signs and observations accurately, promptly, and in accordance with care plans.
-
Practice infection prevention, universal precautions, and workplace safety in all client care environments.
-
Provide emotional, social, and companionship support that respects client dignity, privacy, cultural needs, and personal preferences.
-
Assist with range-of-motion exercises and rehabilitative activities under direction of the healthcare team.
-
Support clients in palliative and hospice care using a compassionate, person-centred approach aligned with best practices.
-
Recognize and respond to common allergies, risks, and first aid situations in a safe and professional manner.
-
Document care activities and maintain accurate records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with organizational policies.
-
Collaborate effectively with the interprofessional team, communicating changes in client condition and contributing to coordinated care.
-
Integrate prior health-care education with PSW-specific competencies, building readiness for practice through theory, lab work, and supervised placements.
Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings, including:
- Long-term care facilities
- Home care services give care to clients living in their own homes in the community
- Supportive housing settings, including seniors’ apartments and retirement homes
- Group homes
- Hospitals
- Adult day programs
- Educational facilities
The range of services provided by PSWs depends upon the individual needs of each person they support and may include personal care such as dressing, personal hygiene, mobility, and other routine activities of living in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act. Home management, such as shopping, light house cleaning and meal preparation, family responsibilities such as routine caregiving to children and assisting with social and recreational activities might also be expected.
As front-line workers, PSWs must develop a broad range of abilities beyond dexterity skills. They must provide not only for the comfort, safety and well-being of their clients, but also demonstrate sensitivity and respect for those in their care. The attitude, abilities and approach of the PSW are critical to the well-being and health of the people they support. The PSW will develop a skill/knowledge level that includes basic care and social service training.
Total Program Hours: 350 hours
NACC Final Theory Examination:
The NACC final examination is an on-line examination that evaluates the theory component of the training and determines whether the candidate has the required level of knowledge to do the job safely and effectively. The external setting for the exam and marking provide unbiased and consistent evaluation of adherence to the NACC PSW Program standard. To schedule your final exam, please speak with your college representative.
All students write the NACC final theory examination after completion of both placements.
Admission Requirements:
The PSW Bridging Program can accept the following applicants as long as they meet all admission requirements and have a certificate, diploma and/or degree in the following:
- Health Care Aide – Canadian Graduate
- Home Support Worker – Canadian Graduate
- Personal Support Worker – Canadian Graduate
- Nurse or Registered Nurse – Domestic or Foreign Trained with Degree in Nursing
- Practical Nurse: Registered Practical Nurse (RPN); Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Domestic or Foreign Trained
- Grade 12 or equivalent admission requirement, in addition to Medical Certificate of Fitness and Immunization Status to complete the program
- Literacy Test to be completed by all applicants
- Clear police records check and Vulnerable Sector Check, Standard First Aid and Basic Rescuer CPR prior to starting the Clinical Placement
Our Curriculum Partners:
We are pleased to partner with the following organizations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our NACC Personal Support Worker curriculum:
Life and Death Matters
lifeanddeathmatters.ca
Life and Death Matters has created the resources used to deliver Module 9 “Assisting the Dying Person” in the NACC Personal Support Worker Curriculum. These resources include the textbook and workbook, Integrating a Palliative Approach: Essentials for Personal Support Workers (2nd Edition) by Katherine Murray (Life and Death Matters), as well as a catalogue of internet-based resources, including presentations, podcasts, and videos. All materials help your students understand a palliative approach to care.
Advanced Gerontological Education (AGE Inc.)
ageinc.ca
NACC partners with AGE Inc. so that students can learn Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Module 13 (“Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care”) of the NACC Personal Support Worker Curriculum. GPA is a multi-disciplinary education program for everyone who interacts with older adults in the workplace.