Top 4 PSW Articles

PSW Salaries in Ontario 2022

By Avlin on February 1, 2022 46

According to the Department of Employment and Social Development in Canada, the salary in Ontario is “among the highest” in its category of occupations in support of healthcare workers from across Canada.

Having said that, the salary varies depending upon where you work.

This is the single most deciding factor of how much you can earn as a PSW.

These are the three primary settings where PSWs work:

Hospitals (about 7%),
Long-Term Care (about 57%), and
Community (about 36%)

In general, hospitals in Ontario are the highest paying followed by City-owned Long-Term Care homes.

Check out the following infographic

There are other factors too that might affect your salary.

However, they might not have as much of an impact on how much you get paid:

Experience
Location (City)
Continuing education
Certain skills that are required by the employer
Ability to speak read and write another language

COVID-19 PAY ENHANCEMENT

March 18, 2021: The Ontario Government announced an extension of the $3 temporary bonus for PSWs working in publicly funded organizations such as:

long-term care homes,
hospitals,
group homes, and
some home care settings.

The $3 enhancement is effective until June 30^th, 2021.

SALARY ENHANCEMENT

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced in April 2014, a “PSW Wage Enhancement Initiative” as part of the PSW Workforce Stabilization Strategy.

The purpose of this enhancement initiative was to set up an increase by up to $4 per hour over three years.

This salary increase, however, applies only to Personal Support Workers who work in the community and provide “publically funded” personal support services.

With this increase, as of April 01, 2016, all PSWs providing services that are publically funded must be getting a minimum of $16.50 per hour.

WHAT ARE PUBLICALLY FUNDED PSW SERVICES?

In Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provide local health services through the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).

When someone needs care in the community, LHINs determine if the type of care required is eligible for government-funded services.

If it is, LHINs Case Managers, also called Integrated Care Coordinators, liaise with providers (agencies) to arrange for PSWs to provide such care.

It is this care that you provide qualifies as “publically funded” and warrants a minimum of $16.50 from your employing agency.

If you work in the following settings and your Personal Support Services are funded by LHIN, you qualify for a base rate of $16.50:

Adult day programs,
Overnight respite, and
Provide services as part of the Centre of Independent Living in Toronto.

THE TIMELINE

Government’s PSW enhancement directive aimed to bring minimum of PSWs providing publically funded personal support services in the community to $16.50 by April 01, 2016.

DID YOU GET THE RAISE?

As per the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 95% of employers (agencies) that hire PSWs for providing publically funded home care services, followed ministry directives.

The remaining 5% of agencies did not give PSWs the raise as mandated by the ministry.

The ministry is aware of these employers and is taking steps to bring them into compliance.

If you’re not getting the base hourly rate from your employer and believe you’re eligible for the increase, you have the right to speak to your employer to determine your eligibility.

ELIGIBLE PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICES?

The $1.00 enhancement on top of the base pay of $16.50 per hour applies only to PSWs providing publically funded Personal Support Services.

As per the Home Care and Community Services act, 1994, following are considered Personal Support Services:

1. Personal hygiene activities.

2. Routine personal activities of daily living (ADL’s).

3. Assisting a person with any of the personal hygiene activities or ADL’s.

4. Training a person to carry out or assist with any of the personal hygiene activities or ADL’s.

5. Providing prescribed equipment, supplies or other goods.

6. Services prescribed as personal support services.

Any of the work you do in the community that is not direct care is not eligible for the $1.00 enhancement.

As per the Home Care and Community Services act, 1994, following are not considered Personal Support Services:

1. Housecleaning

2. Doing laundry

3. Ironing

4. Mending

5. Shopping

6. Banking

7. Paying bills

8. Planning menus

9. Preparing meals

10. Caring for children

11. Assisting a person with any of the activities mentioned above

12. Training a person to carry out or assist with any of the activities mentioned above

13. Providing prescribed equipment, supplies or other goods.

14. Services prescribed as homemaking services

DID YOU NOT GET THE ENHANCEMENT?

There might be two scenarios under which you’ve not been given an enhancement to the $16.50 base pay, despite the fact that the care you provide is publically funded.

EMPLOYER PARTICIPATION

One of the reason could be that your employer did not participate in Government’s PSW enhancement program.

In this case, there is nothing much you can do.

It was your employer’s decision to not participate and accept the funding to provide you a enhancement.

You can question your employer though.

NON-COMPLIANCE

Other reason could be that your employer is non-compliant with government’s directives.

You see, agencies that participated in the enhancement program were to provide a “Certificate of Compliance” to the Ministry through the LIHN they are associated with.

The deadline to provide this certificate was August 15, 2016.

You have the right to question your employer on this as well.

PSWs THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS RAISE

Please note that the enhancement initiative is only for PSWs working in the community (that provide LHIN funded care) and does not apply to PSWs working in:

hospitals,
long-term care homes, or
providing private care in the community.

PSWs providing services that are not “Personal Support Services” are also not eligible for the raise.

Some examples of non-Personal Support Services are:

Homemaking,
Grocery shopping.
Companionship, and
Light housekeeping etc.

PSW PAY RATE BY REGION

Ontario is the second largest province in Canada and is the most populated.

It is divided into many regions including the vast north and the densely populated south.

PSWs provide services in every nook and corner of Ontario in the form of community care or care in facility-based settings.

In the community, it depends on the requirements of the job, work conditions, type of care needed, location and the availability.

The market report for Personal Support Workers, a comprehensive analysis by the Government of Ontario, provides a breakdown in different regions of Ontario.

Check out the details below:

You see, Ontario Healthcare system is stressed by the rising healthcare costs.

To prevent the situation from worsening further, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has developed “Healthcare Action Plan ” which aims at increasing home and community care funding.

Considering the fact that 70% of home and community care in Ontario is provided by Personal Support Workers and Community Support Workers, there will be more jobs for these healthcare workers.

But due to attrition of existing workforce and multifold increase in the number of seniors requiring care, it will be hard to catch-up with the demand for PSW’s.

Due to above mentioned antagonistic forces, PSW’s are going to be in high demand but there won’t be enough of them to fulfill that demand.

This means only one thing: Personal Support Workers salary will go up.

EXAMPLES OF PAY RATE

There is a wide array of pay scales for Personal Support Workers. Here are some of the examples of hourly pay offered by employers on Ontario. These snapshots have been taken from PSW job descriptions posted by various employees.

For facility-based care through employment agencies

For Home/Residential Care through employment agencies

Independent/Private Long-Term Care homes (Nursing homes)

City-owned Long-Term Care homes (Nursing homes)

Pay offered for PSW job with Region of Peel - PS

Hospitals

If you’re not getting the enhanced salary from your employer, we would like to hear from you.

Provide your scenario in the comments section below. You don’t have to include any of your personal details or name the employer.

Resources you’ll need to become a Personal Support Worker

On this page, you can find anything there is to know about how to become a personal support worker, how to succeed as one, and how to continue your education. This is the place to come to and look for all the PSW resources and information that you may need on your journey as a Personal Support Worker.

PSW job interview questions

If you’re determined to pass your next PSW interview with flying colors, we’re here to help. PSWHQ have put together a thorough online guide with PSW interview questions and appropriate sample answers to these questions that hit the target, and are concise and supportive.

Performing well in the interview is just one part of many others needed to secure a PSW Job. First and foremost, you’ll need to have an impeccable résumé and cover letter in order to be called for an interview.

Guide to finding PSW jobs

After you have decided to become a Personal Support Worker and completed the course you are now at a point to start looking for work. It is important that you explore all the jobs listed under different job titles, which is why you should go through our ultimate guide to finding PSW jobs.

We also help you find PSW job postings from hospitals, long-term care homes, and community and private settings.

Advertising with PSWHQ

Over the past few years, PSWHQ has achieved a dominant ranking in major search engines such as Google and Bing. As a result, we offer a limited number of advertising opportunities to individuals, colleges, companies, and organizations we see as a good fit for the unique audience of PSWHQ.

If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it!

FAQs

1. How much do PSW get paid in Ontario?

Housekeepers and other related occupations (NOC 4412) typically make between $13.46/hour and $23.08/hour in Canada, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A personal support worker – home support is someone who provides home-based assistance to others.

2. Do PSW get pensions in Canada?

No, they are not eligible for pensions in Canada.

3. Is there a shortage of PSW in Ontario?

Currently, there is a shortage of PSWs. As a result of the pandemic, many workers have been displaced from their jobs, particularly in the hospitality and tourism industries.

4. How much does a PSW make in Quebec?

A PSW in Quebec makes an average of $19.50 per hour.

5. Is it hard being a PSW?

It is hard being a PSW because they are usually the first person to come in contact with any patients. This means that they have to be able to handle any situation that may arise, such as an emergency or difficult patient. They also need to be very knowledgeable about health care and medical terminology so that they can provide accurate information for the patient’s needs (such as medication instructions).

Everything You Need To Know About Online Distance PSW Courses in Canada

By Avlin on February 1, 2022 25

Ontario has 500, 000 online course registrations which are twice that of other provinces in Canada.

As of 2013, there were 18, 000 college and university courses with 1000 fully online programs available.

There are a wide variety of other educational institutions and course options that are currently available as well.

There are public colleges, private colleges, District school boards and many other organizations that offer courses.

Before examining the online and distance learning PSW programs offered in Ontario, it is important to understand what specifically, distance education is.

WHAT IS DISTANCE EDUCATION?

Essentially, distance learning can be defined as:

“A method of instruction and, learning that differs from a traditional approach as it involves students not being physically present in the classroom when material is being presented by a facilitator.”

Online and distance education courses can allow you to attend classes virtually from anywhere.

This is a great option for those who require flexibility with respect to their personal schedule.

By having the choice to pursue your education online or through distance courses you will have the latitude that you need which could potentially increase your chances of being successful academically.

The popularity of these types of courses is primarily increasing as a result of the high amount of accessibility it provides prospective students in addition to the lower participation costs it requires.

This article will provide you with an overview of the schools that offer online and distance programs throughout Ontario.

ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE AND DISTANCE EDUCATION

There are many benefits to enrolling in a program that is offered either online or through distance education.

Although the most obvious one is that it allows you to enjoy the flexibility of completing your classes according to your own schedule and lifestyle, there are other advantages as well.

Online courses provide seamless communication between students and teachers. There are also more opportunities for classmates to contact and subsequently communicate with one another in the event that their facilitator is unavailable for assistance.
Those who live in smaller, more remote areas have the option to pursue their education without being hindered by the distance they would have to travel to attend classes.
It allows a larger number of students to enroll as compared to traditional classroom settings. As a result, there are no constraints with respect to class size capacity.
Online classes allow individuals who are unable to attend traditional classrooms as a result of illness or being disabled, to pursue their education from their home.
It allows older and mature students the option to enjoy lifelong learning opportunities that would typically not be available to them.
The course completion rate is quite high. Statistical reports indicate that the completion of online courses in college institutions is 70% to 79% with a median level of 76% and university online courses boast a 95% successful completion rate.
Online programs often have lower fees and tuition rates than traditional courses.
Students can vary their workloads based on their personal schedules.

DEMO ONLINE COURSE

It is a good idea to see how a course is delivered online, especially if you have never taken one.

It is a completely different kind of learning experience and may take some time before you get used to it. It may also be a challenge if you’re not very computer savvy.

Here is a quick video demonstration of how a course is delivered online. This particular video uses Moodle, an online course delivery platform that many colleges use.

IS ONLINE LEARNING RIGHT FOR YOU?

Not everyone can learn online. It comes with its own set of challenges.

Here are a few things to consider before you make your decision:

You will be taking courses and studying virtually. This may cause you to feel isolated from the instructor and classmates.
You will have options to connect with your instructor and fellow students however help may not be readily available.
Not having proper hardware (computer) and software (programs) can make accessing courses frustrating.
Getting used to the online course delivery software can be challenging especially for those with beginner-level computer skills.

Studyonline is a great website that offers plenty of resources and links for taking courses online.

One of the tools available on this website is a quiz which can help you decide if online learning is for you or not.

It goes through a series of 17 questions and gives you a score out of 100.

Based on your score, it will tell you if online learning is right for you or not.

Are the Online PSW courses right for you?

Click here to take this quiz now!

This page will also give you many other tips on how to succeed while taking online courses.

You will find tips on:

How to make the most out of your online course?
How to succeed in an online course? and
How to manage your time well?

LIST OF COLLEGES

Distance Education courses are offered in real-time via software-enhanced audio and video conferencing technology.

The following section will provide an overview of the information you will need to consider when deciding on a program offered through online and distance education.

Knowing the specifics of the curriculums with respect to program delivery, duration, fees, and contact information will help you to make a choice that will enable you to decide upon a program that is the best fit for you in terms of your lifestyle, budget, and schedule.

You have the option to access classes from the comfort of your home, any regional campus, or Contact the North site on a specific date and time each week.

NATIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGE

The Native Education & Training College is a non-profit post-secondary college.

It offers programs both online and through distance learning.

This program runs for 35 weeks and is offered both full-time and part-time.

Apart from all the necessary courses, this program also offers clinical practicum at the end of the program.

You can start this program at any time of the year.

New classes begin every Monday.

Admission Requirements

College Eligibility

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate; OR
General Educational Development (GED); OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).

Other Requirements

Students must be in good physical and mental condition and meet the same physical and immunization requirements as those for the staff employed by the agency/facility where the practicum is taking place
Complete immunization record including immunization against Hepatitis B.
Valid Standard First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)-C for Health Care Provider (HCP) certificates

Police Record Check: A vulnerable sector screen/police record check is required. The police record check may have to be renewed every three to six months thereafter.

SAULT COLLEGE

This program is designed to provide students with theory-based knowledge and solid practical skills to meet the needs of future clients.

Upon graduation, you will possess the understanding of health-related subjects that will enable you to work confidently both in private residences and various health care facilities.

The curriculum also ensures that students are taught effective communication skills which are critical and necessary for all health care professionals.

It is offered part-time through distance learning options (Contact north) however there currently isn’t any OSAP funding available for those wishing to enroll in this program.

Programs

Sault College offers two programs.

It is 1-year program and is offered completely online.

Mode of Delivery	Online
Program Length	1 Year
Course Load	Full Time or Part Time
Practicum	Varies
Fees	Varies
Intake	Fall and Winter

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma with Grade 12 English (C) ENG4C, or mature student status.

As a mature student you have two options:

1. You can pay $25 to write the Canadian Academic Achievement Test (CAAT) for Math and/or English requirements only.

2. You can take get your high school equivalency by doing academic Upgrading for free.

Clinical Placement Requirements

Police Records Search (current within one year).
Standard First Aid/CPR (Health Care Provider) with AED
Immunization and Health Record Form including:

• Two-step Mantou test for Tuberculosis

• Immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella

• Current Tetanus-diphtheria

• Influenza vaccination

Statement of Confidentiality Form
Work Education Agreement Student Summary Sheet

Applications for this program are accepted through Ontario colleges.

Click here to apply for this program.

OTHER FREE PROGRAMS

There are several other free online training programs available.

These are only meant to provide you additional training and enhance your skills.

FREE TRAINING BY ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY OF TORONTO

The Alcheimer’s society of Toronto offers many free PSW training programs.

These are short training modules and can be completed online at your convenience.

This training is a great asset for all, espcially for those who works with clinets with dementia.

Find out more details about this training program.

ONLINE LEARNING CENTRES

Online learning centers are located across Ontario.

There are a total of 112 access centers in Ontario.

Click here to find out a center close to you.

Each of the 112 online learning centers has everything you need in order to succeed in the courses you have taken.

All centers are equipped with all the multimedia technologies that you will need to successfully complete your online courses.

PSW course through Online Learning Centres

You can use all these facilities to complete your coursework.

Each center is also fully staffed. They are always happy to assist you with:

Available courses and programs,
Registration into any of the courses or programs,
Financial aid options,
Referrals to community and employment agencies.
Support and encouragement throughout your education

The best part is…it is all FREE!

CONCLUSION

Deciding on the delivery type that best suits your need requires a clear understanding of the options available.

Your decision to enroll in a personal support program is both an important and integral part of the process that you will have to embark on when entering the field.

Therefore, ensuring that you have a solid education can be a determining factor in your ability to enjoy a fulfilling and successful career.

As evidenced in this article, online and distance learning options can provide you with the education you need to become a PSW without the constraints that traditional classroom teaching involves.

In this personal support worker program, you will learn to administer medications, collect specimens, and assist the client with bedside care, including ambulation, personal hygiene, dressing, and undressing; perform housekeeping duties; provide companionship for individuals and their families; provide informal counseling when necessary; observe and report any changes in the client’s condition or behavior, and more that relates to their daily living.

With several Ontario schools opting to examine methods to develop distance education curriculums for more of their courses, you now have more opportunities to pursue your studies.