Certificate • Healthcare Support

Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Prepare to support clients with person-centred daily living, mobility, safety, communication, and care under appropriate direction and supervision.

Explore Curriculum
CredentialCertificate
Duration1 Year (37 Weeks)
Class Schedule1 Year
Delivery ModeHybrid (Inquire about it), Live/Recorded Online, On-campus
Start Date(s)January | May | September
Total Fees$9,490

Build Practical Knowledge in Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Program delivery and scheduling depend on the selected intake. Refer to the current Program details above and confirm availability with Admissions.

Prepare to support clients with person-centred daily living, mobility, safety, communication, and care under appropriate direction and supervision.

The training emphasizes person-centred service, safety, communication, observation, documentation, teamwork, and appropriate professional boundaries.

Award Winning Career College in Health Care
Personal Support Worker (PSW)

What this program can offer

Program Benefits and Learning Experience

Certificate Pathway

Follow a structured learning experience focused on the knowledge and practices described for this program.

Program-Specific Topics

Build understanding through focused lessons covering the core themes, terminology, workflows, and documentation of the subject.

Industry Context

Connect the training with the expectations, responsibilities, and quality practices encountered in relevant workplaces.

Applied Learning

Work through guided examples, scenarios, records, and problem-solving activities appropriate to the program topic.

Flexible Delivery

Available delivery formats and schedules depend on the selected intake and are shown in the current Program details.

Understand the focus and learning context

Program Overview

Program Overview

The program will qualify you to provide personal care at the individuals’ private residence, hospitals, long-term facilities, community centres, and schools and look after their personal, physical, psychological and emotional needs.

Some of the responsibilities a personal support worker’s role holds will include:

  • Consistently observing the individual for their behavioural, physical, and cognitive changes
  • Organizing their living space to avoid any potential hazards or harm
  • Assisting them in their daily living activities (ADL), including feeding, personal hygiene, lifts and transfers
  • Understanding of their dietary constraints to prepare meal plans accordingly
  • Light housekeeping to keep the individual’s surroundings clean through mopping and disinfecting, meal preparation, and other palliative cares.

A trained Personal Support Worker might be required to be a part of a healthcare team working under a Registered Health Professional (RHP). This program will cover the Regulated Health Professions Act needed to perform tasks designated by an RHP, including administering medicines prescribed for the individual.

The PSW program will meet all industry standards through theory and practicum conducted under the guidance of qualified instructors with extensive industry experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).

Please be advised*: Students of the Personal Support Worker program will be required to complete the mandatory community and facility placement hours in a long-term care facility affiliated with NACPT Pharma College, to graduate.

Prerequisite Program

English as a Second Language (ESL) International program – Level 5, Prerequisite program for enrolling into an academic vocational diploma program

Duration: 8 Weeks, Mode of Delivery: In person

ESL – Level 5 is the prerequisite program to enroll into any academic program for temporary residence students in Canada. Integrate intermediate grammar to advanced level of speaking, writing, listening and written communication.

More information about Prerequisite Program (Click Here)

JOB ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (OPTIONAL)

NACPT offers its unique Job Assistance Program for all graduates. Being a part of the program will allow the graduates to work with an industry professional, individually, to obtain the maximum job opportunities in the Healthcare industry. As part of this program, a career development team will help each NACPT graduate tailor their resume, prepare for specific job positions, conduct mock interviews, connect with industry experts, and have exclusive access to the job market. Every qualified student will receive references on particular projects completed under this program. You will also have the opportunity to network with NACPT alumni working in healthcare or related sectors.

NACPT has designed this Job Development Program to help the students prepare a career plan knowing the industry better through expert advice. Please note that this program is optional and is not mandatory for graduation. Learn More.

This program is Approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005

Core topics for this program

What You Will Learn

Person-Centred Support

Respect dignity, choice, culture, routines, privacy, independence, and the client’s plan of care.

Daily Living and Mobility

Support hygiene, nutrition, elimination, positioning, transfers, ambulation, and restorative approaches.

Safety and Observation

Recognize risks and changes, use infection-prevention practices, document observations, and report appropriately.

Communication and Professionalism

Work with clients, families, and care teams while maintaining boundaries, confidentiality, and reliable records.

Build a practical foundation

Skills and Knowledge You Will Develop

  • Person-Centred Support
  • Daily Living and Mobility
  • Safety and Observation
  • Communication and Professionalism
  • Person-centred support and dignity
  • Safe daily-living and mobility assistance
  • Observation, reporting, and documentation
  • Infection-prevention and safety awareness
  • Professional communication and teamwork

Explore the current learning topics

Program Curriculum

Study plan

Semester 1

7 modules
  1. PSW01 PSW Foundations
  2. PSW02 Safety and Mobility
  3. PSW03 Body Systems
  4. PSW04 Assisting with Personal Hygiene
  5. PSW05 Abuse and Neglect
  6. PSW06 Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration
  7. PSW07 Care Planning / Restorative Care / Documentation / Working in the Community
Study plan

Semester 2

7 modules
  1. PSW08 Assisting the Family, Growth and Development
  2. PSW09 Assisting the Dying Person
  3. PSW10 Assisting with Medications
  4. PSW11 Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries
  5. PSW12 Health Conditions
  6. PSW13 Clinical Placement (Community) – summary only
  7. PSW14 Clinical Placement (Facility) – summary only

    Please note*: The mandatory Community and Facility clinical placements should be completed through the long-term care centres affiliated with NACPT Pharma College.

Select a module to view its description.

Support from inquiry through completion

Why Choose NACPT Pharma College?

Career-Focused Content

Study practical concepts and workplace context connected to the program subject.

Experienced Guidance

Learn with instructor support and opportunities to ask questions about the course material.

Flexible Program Options

Ask Admissions about current online, live, recorded, hybrid, or on-campus availability.

Admissions Support

Receive guidance about eligibility, schedules, fees, registration, and the documents needed for your intake.

Consider whether the training matches your goals

Who Should Take This Program?

  • Learners entering personal-support work
  • Caregivers seeking structured training
  • Healthcare support and community-service staff
  • Career changers interested in client care
  • Learners preparing for supervised care environments

Confirm your eligibility and documents

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent (or mature student via entrance test), ESL Level 5 if applicable, Medical Clearance and Immunizations, Clear Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector).

Connect training with relevant work environments

Career and Professional Development

Knowledge developed through Personal Support Worker (PSW) may support entry-level preparation, professional development, or added responsibility in relevant organizations, depending on the learner’s previous education and experience.

  • Home and community-care organizations
  • Long-term-care and retirement residences
  • Hospitals and rehabilitation settings
  • Supportive housing and community programs
  • Hospice, respite, and disability-support services

Program completion does not guarantee employment, promotion, certification, licensing, or permission to perform regulated duties. Requirements and job titles vary by employer and jurisdiction.

Take the Next Step with Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Speak with Admissions about the current intake, delivery format, tuition, prerequisites, and registration steps for Personal Support Worker (PSW).

Contact NACPT Pharma College

Toronto Campus
9 – 5310 Finch Ave East, Toronto, ON M1S 5E8
+1 (416) 412-7374 (extn +1) | +1 647 998 7374
admission@nacptpharmacollege.com
Brampton Campus
44 Queen St E, Brampton, ON L6V 1A2
+1 (416) 412-7374 (extn +2) | +1 647 998 7374
admission@nacptpharmacollege.com
View Program

What to know before you apply

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program cover?

Prepare to support clients with person-centred daily living, mobility, safety, communication, and care under appropriate direction and supervision.

How long is the program?

The current duration is displayed in the Program details above. Confirm the schedule and completion timeline for your selected intake with Admissions.

How is the program delivered?

Available online, live, recorded, hybrid, or on-campus formats vary by program and intake. Use the current delivery information above and confirm the scheduled format before registering.

Are there admission requirements or prerequisites?

Requirements vary by credential and applicant background. Contact Admissions for the current eligibility criteria and document checklist.

Where can I get the detailed course outline?

Contact Admissions for the current course sequence, topic details, schedule, and any program-specific practical requirements.

Does completing the program guarantee employment or professional authorization?

No. Employment, certification, licensing, scope of practice, and role eligibility are determined by employers and applicable authorities. Confirm requirements for your intended pathway.