1.1 Overview of the PSW Program at Fanshawe College

The Personal Support Worker program at Fanshawe College combines theory and coursework with practical experience in the healthcare field. Being a Personal Support Worker takes compassion, empathy, a caring heart, and most of all a commitment to client-centered care. The profession requires a unique blend of strong interpersonal skills, open communication techniques, and a strong skill set in assisting clients with activities of daily living. PSW’s make a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of clients.

After completing the required theoretical courses, students will proceed to the second level of the program, which includes their clinical professional practice courses. While students are in the clinical setting completing their professional practice hours, they will learn the importance of being a healthcare professional while integrating their learned knowledge from the curriculum, lab practice, and theoretical knowledge from prior course completion.

After a 30-week program, Personal Support Worker certificate graduates will be able to seek employment in the healthcare field after completion of the program and will be qualified for many exciting career opportunities, such as working in Long Term Care homes, Retirement Homes, Community Practice, Hospitals, Private Practice, or Entrepreneurship to name a few. Students may also be able to apply for a voluntary online registration, which is managed by the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) in Ontario.

Fanshawe College offers the PSW certificate program at the London campus and all Regional Campuses, including Woodstock-Oxford, Simcoe/Norfolk, St. Thomas/Elgin, and Huron/Bruce. The PSW program is delivered in various formats – In Person with Online components with a Weekday and a Weekend delivery.