NACC Personal Support Worker

The introductory module offers a comprehensive overview of a PSW’s responsibilities across various care settings. Students will explore the differences between client-centered and client-directed care, with a focus on respecting each client’s individuality and their relationships with family, friends, and the broader community. Key topics covered include workplace relationships, stress and time management, interpersonal communication skills, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and relevant legislation.

This module covers safety as it relates to both the client and the worker. One of the fundamental activities of the PSW is that of assisting the client with routine activities of living. Students will learn about risks of unsafe equipment or settings and appropriate actions to take when unsafe situations are identified. Topics include infection control methods, body mechanics, and transferring and lifting techniques using equipment to increase safety and reduce client anxiety.

This module emphasizes the importance of safety for both the client and the PSW. Given that assisting clients with daily living activities is a key responsibility, maintaining a strong awareness of safety is crucial. Students will learn to recognize potential hazards related to unsafe equipment or environments and implement appropriate measures to mitigate risks. Key topics include infection control protocols, proper body mechanics, and safe techniques for transferring and lifting clients using assistive equipment to ensure both safety and comfort.

PSWs assist clients with all aspects of daily living. In this module, students will learn how to provide care for individuals who are ill, disabled, injured, or experiencing cognitive impairments. Emphasis will be placed on understanding frailty, maintaining dignity, and recognizing varying levels of dependence. Personal hygiene care includes oral care, perineal care, bathing, grooming, dressing, bed-making, shaving, hair care, and skin care. Mobility support, personal safety, self-esteem, and dignity are also key considerations. This module is grounded in a humanistic approach to healthcare, ensuring compassionate and respectful client care.

This module introduces students to the concepts of violence and abuse, including how to identify potential signs and the appropriate actions to take in accordance with legal requirements if abuse is suspected. Students will examine personal beliefs and attitudes toward family violence and abuse, as well as the issues of worker abuse toward clients and abuse directed at workers. PSWs will learn to recognize both the indicators and underlying causes of abuse while understanding the relevant legislation, employer policies, and the provisions outlined in service contracts or support plans.

Students will learn how to assist clients with their nutritional needs, household tasks, and home management while prioritizing client preferences, comfort, and safety within employer guidelines. Training will cover meal planning, creating shopping lists, grocery shopping, safe food handling and storage, and specialized cooking techniques. Additionally, the module will address the unique dietary requirements of certain clients, including cultural and religious food preferences.

This module explores the support provided through care plans or service contracts to help clients relearn or regain daily living skills. Students will gain an understanding of the significance of these plans, the rights of clients as recipients of care, and the purpose, methods, and key individuals involved in their development. Additionally, the module introduces students to working in community healthcare settings, where they will learn to provide support to clients and their families in accordance with employer guidelines.

Students will explore family dynamics, including structure, functions, roles, lifestyles, and relationships. Emphasis will be placed on how cultural values, religious beliefs, and practices shape family interactions, as well as the impact of illness, stress, and disability on family relationships. Understanding these factors is essential for PSWs to provide effective and compassionate support. This module also covers the stages of growth and development across the lifespan and highlights the PSW’s role in offering respite care to families.

This module introduces students to hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care, emphasizing a holistic palliative approach. Students will learn key principles of compassionate care, effective communication, and practical strategies for providing psychosocial support and physical comfort to both clients and their families. The module also covers provincial palliative care competencies (2018–2020), including specialized competencies for supporting First Nation, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous communities.

Within the PSW scope of practice, students will learn the distinction between medication administration and medication assistance. They will develop a basic understanding of commonly used medications for treating various diseases and disorders, including their uses, classifications, effects, and routes of administration. The module covers key considerations such as medication purposes, necessary instructions, precautions, and the importance of monitoring for both desired and adverse effects. Students will also learn the appropriate procedures to follow if concerns or issues with medications arise.

This module introduces students to common psychiatric conditions such as affective disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, cognitive impairment, and brain injury. The possibility of multiple conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression will be discussed along with the role of the family caregiver and the importance of observation, documentation, and reporting in order to recognize changes in behavior that can be related to psychiatric conditions or an increased risk of suicide.

Students will be introduced to chronic conditions and the fundamental principles of providing assistance, along with the general effects of common disabilities, conditions, and diseases on individuals. They will develop essential skills and techniques while emphasizing safe, effective, and compassionate support. The module also explores concepts of maintenance, rehabilitation, and restoration, highlighting the critical role of the support team in delivering care and facilitating skill development.

Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) is a multidisciplinary training program designed for professionals who work with older adults. This program helps participants develop a deeper understanding of responsive behaviours, enabling them to interact effectively and appropriately in workplace settings.

Clinical placement offers students a hands-on opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in a real work setting. It allows them to expand their PSW competencies, build self-confidence, and potentially secure employment opportunities at their placement site.

This experience helps them expand their competencies, build confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of client-centered care while potentially opening doors to future employment opportunities.