From support for the increasing senior population to assistance for people suffering from illness or injury, there is a growing need for compassionate people who want to help others. A Personal Support Worker (PSW) program can prepare you to provide the support these needy individuals require by assisting them with their daily activities and providing basic healthcare.
If you are looking for a career with lots of opportunities, are a people-person and have the desire to serve, becoming a PSW could be for you. Read on to learn about a few of the workplaces that are waiting for someone like you.
A PSW Training Program can Lead to Work in a Hospital
Many hospitals now use personal support workers to help provide support to medical staff. Working in a variety of settings including long-term care units, emergency departments, and rehabilitation care, PSWs are usually charged with assisting patients with daily living tasks such as eating, bathing, and grooming.
PSW jobs in hospitals are among the most sought-after positions in the industry, with higher than average pay, but are sometimes more suited to experienced professionals as they can often be high-pressure environments. Nonetheless, a well-established PSW training program will offer you the theory and practical instruction you need to work with confidence in a hospital setting as your career progresses.
PSW Classes can Prepare you for Work in Retirement Communities
In the 2016 Canadian census data, it was found that seniors outnumbered children in Canada for the first time. Projections suggest that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. As the older population grows, so too does the need for qualified professionals to work in senior care.
A personal support worker college program can prepare you for a job in a retirement community, where your personality, energy and training will help residents live happier and healthier lives. These residential communities or housing complexes are designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves, but often employ PSWs to provide some basic support to those who need it, and to assist in social activities and opportunities provided for the residents.
Your career as a PSW Could Take You to Long-Term Care
Long-term care homes are places for people who require round-the-clock care and supervision. There are plenty of opportunities for PSW training program graduates within these facilities.
As with other PSW workplaces, you would be responsible for assisting residents with daily activities like bathing, dressing and eating, among other duties. It takes a special person to serve others in their most vulnerable moments, and that is what the top PSW graduates do every day in long-term care facilities.
Work in Home Care After Your PSW Training Program and Enjoy a Flexible Schedule
Perhaps you are looking for a more flexible work schedule? In this case, your PSW training can open the door to a job as an in-home care provider. Working in this position, you will offer in-home support to the elderly, the disabled, or anyone else who needs it. PSWs working in home care provide daily assistance or simple companionship in residential settings, allowing clients to remain with their families and communities while still receiving the care they require.
A personal support worker can work on-site in a client’s home
This option can allow you to work a more flexible schedule than PSWs who operate in clinical facilities, making it a perfect option for professionals with families or other commitments. Home care providers are also in very high demand in more remote areas, meaning it can be a great choice if you live in a more rural community and want to work locally.
PSWs can also Work with Children
Most PSW graduates work with the elderly population, but there is another clientele who would benefit from your compassion and care – disabled youth and children.
PSW classes can lead to rewarding experiences
If you’ve always wanted to work with kids and make a difference in your community, you can do all that and more as a PSW. You could assist summer camp participants who have disabilities, or help a child care centre if there are special needs children present. PSWs can also work in group homes where children are challenged by cognitive or physical disabilities and mental health issues.
Are you interested in helping the disabled or elderly live fuller and healthier lives?
Contact KLC College for more information about our PSW classes!