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PSW Distance Education

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 (PSW) Distance Education program is based upon 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.

The PSW Distance Education 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. This program is available to colleges with a Learning Management System (LMS).

Graduates of the NACC PSW Distance Education program will be able to

  • Understand the PSW role and scope of practice across diverse care settings.

  • Provide person-centred and culturally sensitive support for clients’ physical, emotional, and social needs.

  • Assist safely with activities of daily living following care plans and best practices.

  • Apply IPAC, safety procedures, and proper body mechanics to reduce risk of harm.

  • Use effective communication strategies with clients, families, and care teams.

  • Support clients with cognitive changes and responsive behaviours using respectful, professional approaches.

  • Maintain dignity, privacy, and confidentiality in all care environments, including virtual settings.

  • Use online tools and platforms confidently to participate in distance learning.

  • Integrate theory into hands-on lab and clinical practice with professionalism.

  • Recognize and report changes in client condition accurately and promptly.

Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings including:

  • Long-term care facilities
  • Home care services giving care to clients living in their own homes in the community
  • Supportive housing settings including senior’s 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 care giving 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: 700 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. 

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.

Order NACC Curriculum