Education

To become a Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Ontario, you must complete a recognized PSW program at a publicly-funded colleges or some career colleges. The first step is to meet the guidance counsellor and ask about PSW programs at the college of your choice. I chose Herzing College in Ottawa. Then they will ask you if you have a high school diploma and you have to be between 18 and 53 years old to be eligible for PSW course.

If you don't have high school diploma you can do language and math assessments, but if you already have your high school diploma, you are qualified to study PSW. The program will take approximately 1 year to complete and the government will support you with a loan called OSAP and a grant. The grant money is the money that can support you during the school year program. If you complete the whole program, you do not have to pay back the grant money but you have to pay back the loan, usually 6 months after you finish the course. You can pay it off in small amounts. Repayment depends on available jobs and your salary.

After the internship, most people get a job in the same place. It's not difficult to find a job because in the course they teach you how to look for a job and you attend meetings with employers in long-term care facilities. The only condition is to graduate from PSW course and to pass the NACC exam.

With PSW you can get lots of opportunities to work in long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals or home care agencies. After becoming a PSW, you can apply for dementia care training and CPR/First Aid for free. These additional courses will increase your chances of finding a job faster.

If English is not my first language, you can ask for a few extra hours to read the book and understand information. They also give you 2 or 3 chances to pass your exams but you still have study very hard because modules are long and difficult. I am very proud of myself because I have passes all my modules and I never needed to attempt the exam twice. Every week we have a new module and on Fridays we have exams.

In conclusion, if you want to become a PSW, you must have high school or higher education and be ready to meet guidance counsellor who will guide you and help you fulfill your dream. The course is not easy and it's a big challenge, but if you dedicate your time to attending classes in person and studying for assignments you will succeed and have a good job in the future.