Personal Support Worker (Accelerated) - no tuition, no fees - 995
Overview
Program Highlights
This accelerated Personal Support Worker (PSW) program includes:
- FREE* - no tuition or fees for domestic students
- Funding for textbooks and other required supplies
- Online condensed schedule for flexibility
- Paid work placement in the final three months of the program
- Graduate with a full PSW credential in less than six months
The accelerated program allows students to work quickly through the program completing their certification in less than 6 months while concurrently receiving the education supporting the knowledge and experience necessary to care for individuals in their home, retirement or long-term care settings.
Compare Mohawk's PSW and PSW (Accelerated) programs
Learn more about the Personal Support Worker and Personal Support Worker (Accelerated) options. View the comparison chart.
Personal Support Worker (Accelerated) - Information Session
Please note: the July 4 intake of Personal Support Worker (Accelerated) was combined with the July 25 intake.
The next intake of this program starts on August 29.
Are you an international student?
Learn more about Personal Support Worker (PSW) - 110 available to international students.
What you'll learn
The PSW program is taught using a variety of methods including online lectures, simulations, hands-on labs and professional practice placement. Theory classes will be conducted online (synchronous and asynchronous), and students will also be required to attend in-person labs.
- Apply combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills to work as a team member with clients, families, nurses, physicians and other support services
- Hands-on experience through a paid 300-hour professional practice placement in a health care agency under the supervision of a preceptor and instructor
- Provide service to a wide variety of clients
- Recognize legislation that is relevant to the role including the Human Rights Code, Child and Family Services Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers’ Compensation Act, and the Long-Term Care Homes Amendment Act and the acts it amends
Program Length
6 months, accelerated
*Students are responsible to cover all costs associated with non-academic requirements (NARs). Read more in the Experiential Learning section.
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Admission
The Personal Support Worker (Accelerated) – 995 program is a tuition and fee free program for domestic students. Funding is available to support textbooks and required supplies.
Admission
- OSSD or equivalent (Mohawk Academic Upgrading, GED) including:
- Grade 12 English, C or U or equivalent
- Students who do not meet the academic requirements may qualify for admission testing to meet eligibility into the PSW-A program. Visit Pre-Admission Testing for more information.
Note: Please see Additional Information section for computer and internet requirements.
Application Process
- Applications are made online via ontariocolleges.ca
- Applicants are to select the August 2022 intake of the PSW (Accelerated) program
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.
Options are available for mature applicants.
Don't have the necessary requirements?
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees
You will not be required to pay the tuition or fees for this program. Students will receive funding equal to the tuition and fees for this program as a bursary applied to your Student Account.
Textbook and Supplies
Funding for required books, supplies and personal protective equipment related to the program will be provided. Mohawk has simplified the process for students registered in the Personal Support Worker (995) program to receive all the necessary textbooks, uniform and course materials in pre-packaged bundles at no cost to you. Details on how to obtain the book and supply bundle will be provided via e-mail shortly after registration.
Other Costs/Expenses
Students will be eligible for support for personal expenses (childcare, transit, etc.) incurred to complete the program up to $1,500 (less the cost of textbooks and supplies mentioned above). Additional information regarding this funding will be sent via email to your Mohawk College email address later in the semester. Please make sure to keep all receipts or proof of transactions.
Students are responsible to cover all costs associated with non-academic requirements (NARs), see the Experiential Learning section for details.
OSAP
Students enrolling in the Personal Support Worker (accelerated) program can apply for OSAP funding and Mohawk College awards through our Financial Profile application. To submit an OSAP application please visit the OSAP website and if you have not submitted an application before, visit our How to Apply for OSAP webpage for more information including a step-by-step guide and video.
When submitting an OSAP application please do not declare any of the PSW government funding you expect to receive (mentioned above) as Mohawk will provide this information directly to the Ministry on your behalf. Any income that you receive during your study period will need to be declared as in-study income if it’s greater than $5,600 per term). Your OSAP assessment will take into account any amount of income you earn or receive over $5,600 per term when calculating the amount of OSAP funding you are eligible to receive.
Program of Studies
Course Overview & Descriptions
The PSW program is taught using a variety of methods including online lectures, simulations, hands-on labs and professional practice placement. Theory classes will be conducted online (synchronous and asynchronous), and students will also be required to attend one in-person lab during weeks 7 and 11.
All theory classes will be the first 11 weeks of the program, 7 weeks for semester 1 classes and 4 weeks for semester 2 classes. Clinical placement will be the last 10 weeks of the program.
| Semester 1 - weeks 1 to 7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course # | Course Title | Hrs/Week | Total Hours |
| COMM10380 | Communication for Personal Support Workers | 8.00 | 56.00 |
| HSCI10235 | Structure and Function of the Human Body | 6.00 | 42.00 |
| HSCI10251 | Foundational Theory and Practice 1 | 6.00 | 42.00 |
| HSCI10256 | Mental Health - Intensive | 3.00 | 21.00 |
| INFO10288 | Informatics in Health Care | 6.00 | 42.00 |
| Semester 2 - weeks 8 to 11 | |||
| HSCI10254 | Supportive Care Theory - Intensive | 5.00 | 20.00 |
| HSCI10252 | Palliative Care - Intensive | 5.00 | 20.00 |
| HSCI10255 | Community Based Simulation - Intensive | 5.00 | 20.00 |
| HSCI10253 | Foundational Theory and Practice 2 | 10.00 | 40.00 |
| Clinical Placement - 10 weeks | |||
| CLIN10098 | Professional Practice | 30.00 | 300.00 |
| CLIN10099 | Clinical Placement Seminar | 1.00 | 10.00 |
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
How you'll gain skills
- Through the use of simulation, structured lab activities and supervised placements.
- By applying combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills during clinical placements.
Pre-clinical requirements
All accepted applicants are required to complete non-academic requirements (NARs) prior to clinical placement and are responsible for the associated costs. Non-academic requirements must be fully completed in order to attend clinical placement. Please adhere to deadlines. Details about pre-placement non-academic requirements and deadlines will be emailed to you once you accept your offer of admission.
To be eligible for clinical placement, you must not have been convicted of any offence for which you have not been pardoned. If your Police Check is 'not clear', your acceptance and suitability for placement is at the discretion of the agency. Mohawk College cannot guarantee placement changes if refused by the agency.
Professional Practice placements
Clinical placements may occur at locations that are not accessible by public transit. Students should expect to either have access to a car or the ability to supply their own transportation when attending clinical placements in our catchment area that includes Hamilton, Brantford, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and surrounding regions.
Clinical placement will consist of completing 300 hours over 10 weeks. Students will be required to work days starting as early as 6:00 am, evenings and weekends. We recommend and encourage students to be flexible with placement hours as the placement facility will arrange and schedule their shifts. Clinical placement will be a paid placement for students. ONLY students who have successfully completed all theory classes and non-academic requirements (NARs) will be eligible for clinical placement.
For more information regarding the Personal Support Worker 300 hour clinical placement, please contact jessica.mcdonald5 [at] mohawkcollege.ca (the clinical placement specialist).
Successful completion of Professional Practice
Successful completion of Professional Practice clinical placement is a requirement for graduation from the Personal Support Worker program. Professional Practice is an academic requirement across all semesters of the program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). As such, to be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a clear PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement.
If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS, and, as a result, are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to progress in the program. A clear PRCVS is required annually, and more often if requested by the placement agencies.
Non-academic requirements (NARs)
Students are responsible to cover all costs associated with non-academic requirements (NARs). Students must have the following non-academic requirements (NARs) submitted by week 8:
- VULNERABLE SECTOR POLICE CHECK – valid within 6 months
- IMMUNIZATIONS- Tdap, Varicella, Hep B, MMR
- TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST
- FLU VACCINE
- COVID-19 VACCINES
- STANDARD FIRST AID & CPR-LEVEL BLS/HCP
- MASK FIT
- WSIB CONSENT
- FIRE SAFETY
- WHMIS
- AODA
- WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
- WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARENESS IN 4 STEPS - BILL 18
- GENTLE PERSUASIVE APPROACHES (GPA) in person is recommended and encouraged for PSW students
- STUDENT CONSENT AND WAIVER FOR CLINICAL PLACEMENTS
To learn more, please visit the Centre for Experiential Learning.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes, often referred to as ‘Program Standards', set out the essential learning that a student must achieve before being deemed ready to graduate.
In many cases these program learning outcomes were developed by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) in consultation with employers and educators who are experts in the program field. To ensure the outcomes remain current and in line with industry needs, we invite our employers, graduates working in the field and current students to re-examine and update them during regular, ongoing program review focus groups.
Career Opportunities
Career Opportunities
Your future career options
- Personal Support Worker
Where you could work includes:
- Home Care Agencies and Long-Term Care Homes
- Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
- Hospitals
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website.
Educational Pathways
Educational Pathways
Pathways to Mohawk
If you've successfully taken a course at another post-secondary institution, you may be able to earn course exemptions toward your credential here at Mohawk.
Pathways within Mohawk
If you have successfully completed one of the following programs at Mohawk, you may be eligible to receive transfer credit in this program. *
- Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
- Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees
Pathways beyond Mohawk
Earn another credential:
See ontransfer.ca for additional opportunities at other colleges or universities in Ontario.
Search the Mohawk Transfer Database for opportunities outside of Ontario.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Other expenses
Students are responsible to cover all costs associated with non-academic requirements (NARs), see the Experiential Learning section for details.
Minimum technical and software requirements for Online Learning courses
Computer and Internet Connection
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Software
- Individual courses may have additional software requirements. This may include video or audio playing software or a specific software application.
- Most courses require word processing software.
- In some instances, it may be necessary for some users to upgrade their Flash or Java versions.
- Please ensure you are using an updated web browser such as Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, as most videos and resources are compatible with these.
The following items may also be required for some courses:
- Speakers/headphones.
- Web camera and microphone.
- Virtual reality headset (do not purchase this unless instructed to do so)
Learning Management System
Mohawk College uses Canvas as a Learning Management System (LMS). You will interact with this platform in all your course at Mohawk. Below is the Canvas community guide for browser requirements. To access press CTRL on your computer then click on the link. The link will walk you through computer specifications, Operating Systems, Internet speed, and screen readers needed to run Canvas both on your computer and a mobile device. Visit Canvas for more information.
The Library has some good documentation regarding Canvas and provides links and resources to help you navigate any issues you may have.
You can also visit the student tech support on your My Mohawk page or by pressing CTRL on your computer and clicking on the link below. Here you will find support for all Technological resources such as Zoom Web Conferencing, Office 365 and Mohawk Apps. Visit Student Techincal Support.
Contact Us
Contact us
Domestic Canadian Students
Contact Student Recruitment
Haven’t applied yet and have questions?
Contact our Student Recruitment team for information on programs, how to apply, and more.
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Contact our Admissions advisors for help with your application.
Contact Admissions
Phone: 1-844-767-6871
Accessible Learning Services
Are you a student with a confirmed or suspected disability? Visit our Accessible Learning Services website to discover how we can help you.
Program Coordinator
Canadian Domestic Students
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