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Seven Strategies to Find PSW Jobs

By Avlin on April 27, 2014 2

You made it. You surpassed all the odds and difficulties working against you and came out shining with your PSW certificate.

Congratulations!

This is a very exciting and growing field and I have no doubt you will prosper.

But wait.

Is your resume ready?
Have you started to apply?

Don’t be discouraged if something doesn’t pop up right away, this will require time, patience and persistence on your part. Many people acquire their new position due to knowing someone already in the field. Keep in touch with everyone you’ve talked to at school and while on placement.

The following are 7 key steps to obtaining a PSW job in Long-term care, retirement and community settings. [Read more…] about Seven Strategies to Find PSW Jobs

What is Ontario Personal Support Worker Association?

By Avlin on January 15, 2014 1

Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) fulfill a demanding role in Ontario. Without their skill, compassion, and dedication, a great number of people would be unable to lead independent lives.

While the job of a Personal Support Worker is rewarding, it can be challenging as well.

The Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA) is a valuable resource for gaining up to date information and the kind of assistance and encouragement that can only come from others who understand the unique circumstances that come with this career path.

What Is OPSWA?

OPSWA is an acronym for the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association.

It is an organization founded and staffed by people with the real world, hands-on experience. The PSW’s do not fall under the Regulated Health Professions Act, which leaves employees with limited advocacy rights.

The OPSWA fills this void, allowing personal support workers to present a united front to government agencies and the public.

This is an important task.

Since people with this job title enjoy plenty of one-on-one interaction with care recipients, personal support workers are in a unique position to bring meaningful changes to the existing health care system.

OPSWA is a professional association that assists personal support workers to offer the best possible care while also agitating for improved care conditions and providing the opportunity to connect with others in the field.

OPSWA’s Objectives

Members of OPSWA are deeply committed to providing high-quality care that allows patients to achieve the dream of independent living. In order to continue to improve care services, OPSWA actively advocates for better patient care practices and supporting the legislation.

Moreover, OPSWA is involved in the process of ensuring improved patient rights and seeks to promote the interests and well-being of personal support workers throughout Ontario.

The organization is similarly dedicated to continuing the education of PSW’s and disseminating information related to new advancements and techniques within the profession. OPSWA also provides means through which workers may connect with others who are active in this career field.

The Benefits of Joining OPSWA

Following are some of the benefits of registering with OPSWA:

Applicants receive a photo identification card that identifies them as a competent professional who is committed to providing outstanding patient care.
Members gain access to valuable training materials and receive regular updates on new government regulations and changes that may affect their practice.
A yearly police check is provided free of charge.
Members may easily connect with other personal support workers in their area.
Unrestricted access to OPSWA staff whenever there is a question.
Members may also take advantage of various corporate discounts
Resume and cover letter writing services.
New or renewing members have the choice of adding liability insurance to their membership. InsurePSW is designed to protect the individual personal support worker and covers personal accidents and disability.

This video provides further insight into benefits of becoming a member of OPSWA.

Perhaps best of all, membership in OPSWA signals to prospective employers that the individual is wholly committed to their career.

Since all OPSWA members must pass criminal background checks and possess all of the necessary credentials, employers can rest assured that they are hiring only the best personal support workers.

Potential employees who also carry their own liability insurance may further be more attractive to human resources managers, making it easier to get secure employment at an attractive salary.

Please click here, for more details on the type of benefits offered.

How to Register with OPSWA

Registration can be completed using the organization’s website. The online form requires basic identity and contact information as well as data concerning the applicant’s current employer.

Additionally, applicants must attach paperwork that includes a completed background check and a resume as well as any certificates held by the individual.

Currently, a fee of $120 is required at the time of filing the application.

Being a personal support worker is a fulfilling mission, but it’s a difficult task to carry all alone. By joining OPSWA, members enjoy the advantages of belonging to a professional association that helps to ensure they will always perform to the best of their abilities.

With educational services, access to social connections and a political platform from which to advocate for patient rights, personal support workers can demonstrate their commitment to reaching the pinnacle of their profession.

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List of Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships for PSW’s

By Avlin on January 2, 2014 7

There are many awards, bursaries, and scholarships offered by various organizations and colleges for students who are entering, enrolled or graduating from the Personal Support Worker diploma programs.

Following is a list of all the awards.

A brief description of each award follows the list.

You can visit the website of the respective organization or college for more details and how you can apply for financial assistance.

Name	Type of Assistance	Value
Saint Elizabeth Foundation	Scholarship	$2000
Conestoga College
Conestoga College
Ainsworth Family Fund Personal Support Worker Bursary - Entrance	Bursary	$500

Ainsworth Family Fund Personal Support Worker Bursary - Continuation	Bursary	$500

H.L.O. Health Services Inc. PSW Entrance Bursary	Bursary	$250
H.L.O. Health Services Inc. PSW Entrance Bursary
Centennial College	Scholarship	$1000
Fleming College
Fleming College
CECCAC Foundation Award	Award	2 each of $500
CECCAC Foundation Award
Gertrude E Scholfield Student Bursary	Bursary	$795
Gertrude E Scholfield Student Bursary
Institute for Healthy Aging Endowed Bursary	Bursary	9 each of $720
Institute for Healthy Aging Endowed Bursary
Maha and Murad Younis Student Bursary	Bursary	$680
Maha and Murad Younis Student Bursary
Canadore College
Canadore College
Lakeland Long Term Care Spirit Award	Award
Algonquin College	Bursary
Niagara College
Niagara College
Jean and Norman Pett Personal Support Worker Scholarship	Scholarship	$1200
Jean and Norman Pett Personal Support Worker Scholarship
Luigi and Amalia Setacci Bursary	Bursary	2 each of $850
Luigi and Amalia Setacci Bursary
Georgian College	Award	$500

Saint Elizabeth

Personal Support Worker financial awards

Value: $1000

Eligibility: Students enrolled in the PSW certificate program with SE health.

This award is offered by SE Health to eligible students enrolled in the part-time or full-time PSW programs.

Please note that you must submit the application prior to the start of the program.

Some of the other eligibility requirements are:

You must be a legal and permanent resident of Canada,
You must be enrolled and accepted in the SE Health career college HCA, HCS-ESL or PSW certificate program.

How to Apply

Contact:
Stephanie Constantineau
sehcareercollegeehc.com
1-855-447-3422

Conestoga College

Conestoga College offers three types of bursaries for fresh entry and for those who are continuing their Personal Support Worker diploma.

Ainsworth Family Fund Personal Support Worker Bursary – Entrance

Value: $500

This is offered to students who are starting the PSW program at Conestoga college and are in need for financial assistance. Students must apply and present their case in the form of a letter.

Ainsworth Family Fund Personal Support Worker Bursary – Continuation

Value: $500

This is offered to students enrolled in the PSW program and have obtained more than 65% in all courses. A letter of recommendation from one of the faculty member must accompany the application.

H.L.O. Health Services Inc. PSW Entrance Bursary

Value: $250

This is offered to students enrolled in the PSW program and demonstrate financial need.

Centennial College

Personal Support Worker Scholarship

Value: $1000

This scholarship is offered to first year students enrolled in the PSW program. Community/Voluntary work experience is required to qualify for this bursary. More information can be obtained by calling financial aid at 416-289-5000 ext. 2457

Fleming College

CECCAC Foundation Award

Value: 2 awards of $500 each

Students enrolled in PSW program who have maintained a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the previous semester are eligible to apply for this award.

Gertrude E Scholfield Student Bursary

Value: $795

Awarded to full time students of the Personal Support Worker Diploma program at the Peterborough campus.

Institute for Healthy Aging Endowed Bursary

Value: 9 bursaries of $720 each

Besides being open to several other streams, PSW’s are also eligible to apply for these bursaries.

Maha and Murad Younis Student Bursary

Value: $680

Besides many other streams, PSW’s are also eligible to apply for this bursary.

Canadore College

Lakeland Long Term Care Spirit Award

This award is given to a student enrolled in Practical Nursing or Personal Support Worker program at the Parry Sound campus.

Algonquin College

Besides being open to students of Recreation and Leisure Services and Social Service Worker program, Personal Support Worker students can also apply for this bursary.

Niagara College

Jean and Norman Pett Personal Support Worker Scholarship

Value: $1200

All students entering the PSW program at Niagara college are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Other requirements must be met as well. Preference is given to students who are from the Niagara falls region.

Luigi and Amalia Setacci Bursary

Value: 2 awards of $850 each

First year students of the PSW program who are permanent residents of the Niagara region are eligible to apply. Other requirements must be met as well.

Georgian College

Value: $500

This is awarded to a graduating student of the Personal Support Worker Diploma program at the Barrie campus. You must be nominated by the faculty for this award.

Loyalist College

James E. Marker Bursary

Value: 3 bursaries of $525

These bursaries are aimed at providing financial assistance to students enrolled in Personal Support Worker program who demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Hope this would be helpful. If you like the information provided above, please share as much as you can so that maximum number of students can avail such opportunities for financial assistance.

And if you know of any other financial award for PSW’s, please leave a comment in the comments section below.

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How to Use Workingincanada.gc.ca to Find PSW Jobs

By Avlin on December 15, 2013 0

Workingincanada.gc.ca is the web address for the Working in Canada website. Run by the Canadian government, Working in Canada is a free job finding service website that allow users to view occupational and career information and to search through the approximately 60,000 available job postings for the perfect job for them.

You may visit http://workingincanada.gc.ca. It is however recommended that you read the entire article first, to learn how to properly utilize this website.

Working in Canada is unique because it pulls relevant Personal Support Worker job listings from a number of sources, including jobbank.gc.ca, Workopolis and Monster, making it a one-stop shop for serious employment seekers.

Furthermore, Working in Canada provides a wealth of career and industry information so job seekers can find jobs based on factors such as job outlook and wages.

For busy job seekers who have enough on their plates already, Working in Canada makes finding a job easy.

HOW DO I SEARCH FOR A PSW POSITION?

Searching for PSW Jobs on the Working in Canada website could not be easier. Follow the following steps to start your job search:

Type workingincanada.gc.ca into your browser’s address bar or click here to go to the website’s main page.
To do a basic search, type “personal support worker” in the box underneath “Job and/or Location” and click “search.” This will provide you with a list of relevant search results to browse through.

Searching PSW Jobs at workingincanada.gc.ca

For a more advanced search, click on “More Search Options” underneath the job search box on the main page. From this page, you can search for a specific job number or narrow your search by selecting a certain criteria such as full-time or part-time employment.

You can also choose to search for permanent or temporary positions. After you have selected your choices, click the “Search” button at the bottom of the page to view your search results.

You can also click on “view all jobs” under the job search box on the main page to view all the jobs available on the website.

WHAT OTHER JOB SEARCH OPTION DOES THIS WEBSITE OFFER?

This website not only lets you find Personal Support Worker positions, but also has an “Explore Careers” section that allows you to explore careers according to the occupation, education degree, wages, future outlook, or skills and knowledge required for the job.

Exploring career options on WorkinginCanada.gc.ca

This is a great resource for PSW’s who wish to further their education in healthcare or any other area. Follow the steps listed below to explore more:

From the main Working in Canada page, find the “Explore Careers” box to the right side of the screen.
Click on the search method you prefer: occupation, education degree, wages, outlooks, or skills & knowledge.
If you choose to search by occupation, type “personal support worker” in for the name of the occupation and “Ontario” in for the city or postal code and click the “search” button. On the next page, you will be asked to specify which part of Ontario you prefer. Hit “view report” and you will see a list of available jobs.
If you want to search by education process, wages or outlook, you will follow the same process. If you want to search by skills and knowledge, you will check boxes for your individual skills and knowledge areas instead of typing information into the boxes.
From the results list, you can see the date posted, job title, employer, location and source for each of the job listings. You can also click on the wages, outlook, and education & job requirements tabs to find more information about the career.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PSW JOB?

Searching for a position you like is one thing and applying for it is different. When applying for any PSW Job posting listed on the website, make sure to apply using the manner instructed.

From the search results list, click on the job title of any PSW job listing. This will bring you to a page of information about the job.
Towards the bottom of the page, the listing will tell you how or where to apply. Various listings may require you to apply by email, fax, mail, online or in person.

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE FOR PSW JOB ALERTS?

Constantly checking the Working in Canada website for new personal support worker job postings can quickly become tiring. Plus, you have better things to do than spend all day hitting refresh, waiting for a new job to pop up.

Job Alerts is a free service that alerts you of new job postings, saving you the effort of continually checking. When you sign up for personal support worker job alerts, you will receive twice daily emails notifying you of any new jobs that have been posted.

Follow the steps below to set up a PSW Job alert on this website:

From the main Working in Canada page, click the “Subscribe to Job Alerts” link.
Type “personal support worker” in the job title box and then fill in the city you would like to work in and your email address. Hit the “subscribe” button.
The website will send you an activation email. Log into your email account, open the email and click the “confirm” button. Be sure to do this within two hours, or the link will expire and you will have to sign up for Job Alerts again.
While you are in your email account, add [email protected] to your safe senders list to ensure your alerts will be delivered to your inbox. Otherwise, be sure to check your junk mail folder periodically.

Finding the right personal support worker job is stressful enough without having to spend all day searching through multiple job listing sites, waiting for the right job to pop up. Working in Canada makes job searching easy by compiling all available jobs in one easy to use location.

Good luck!

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Tips to Manage Your Online Reputation in Preparation For a PSW Job

By Avlin on December 15, 2013 0

A career as a Personal Support Worker (PSW) is uniquely rewarding. That’s because PSW’s have an opportunity to take a hands-on role in caring for others. Their work makes it possible for others to live more independently and with dignity.

Because the Personal Support Worker carries such important responsibilities, employers are cautious about whom they hire. The interview process for a PSW position is arduous, and references are thoroughly checked.

However, the advent of the Internet has provided employers with even more ways to get to know applicants. It’s becoming increasingly common for employers to Google a prospective employee’s name, look at their Facebook profile and investigate their Twitter feed. They’re looking for information that doesn’t come out in an interview, the kinds of things that most applicants don’t want their employer to know.

It’s this kind of online check that makes it so important for PSW’s to monitor their online reputation. When you take charge of the way you appear in the virtual world, it can make you look more attractive to potential employers. It can mean landing that job as a Personal Support Worker instead of having to keep looking.

How to change Facebook settings?

Tips for PSW’s to manage facebook profile

Perhaps the most important step toward maintaining a positive online reputation is managing Facebook privacy settings. Most people have a Facebook account, and post to it regularly. The posts may be highly personal and expose information that the user doesn’t necessarily want their employer to see.

Accordingly, it’s important to click on the cog symbol found on the screen’s upper right corner. Select “Privacy Settings” to determine who can see profile details and future posts. Choosing anything other than public is appropriate. The user can decide exactly who has access to their posts, and that means keeping prospective employers out.

In the same screen, it’s possible for the user to control how other Facebook users are able to search for them. Prospective employers probably have access to an applicant’s phone number and email. Typically, they can use this data to search for a Facebook profile. By only allowing friends to locate the user via this search method, the employer won’t be able to find the profile.

How to use Google Alerts?

Another valuable online reputation management tool called Google Alerts has recently become available. Google is always finding new search results, and it’s possible for the user to ask to be informed when there are new mentions on the Internet relating to their name. The mention might be from a press report, blog post or other text. Regardless, the user is immediately informed of the post and can take appropriate action.

With social media privacy settings and useful tools like Google Alerts, it’s very easy for PSW’s to control how potential employers view them on the Internet.

Image credit: Facebook icon picture used under a Creative Commons Attribution from ideagirlmedia on Flickr.

Image credit: Google icon picture used under a Creative Commons Attribution from juancho 507 on Flickr.

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How to Use Workopolis.ca to Find PSW Jobs

By Avlin on December 15, 2013 0

Workopolis.ca, Canada’s largest and most popular online job site, is a site that helps its millions of monthly visitors find employment opportunities from over 30,000 jobs posted on the site at any given time.

Workopolis.ca also offers free Job Alert emails, professional resume services and the latest in career news and advice to help job seekers find and get hired for the right PSW jobs for them.

How Do I Search for Personal Support Worker Jobs?

Follow the steps below to start your search for a PSW job on this website.

From the main Workopolis.ca homepage, type “personal support worker” and “Ontario” into the “Job Title, Keywords” and “City, Province” search boxes near the top of the page. Click “Find Jobs” to see your search results.

You can also type in your city for a list of posted PSW jobs in that area.

Sort the PSW jobs by the date posted, location, job title and company by selecting the appropriate option from the “Sort by” drop-down menu. Limit your search by choosing specific options from the “Improve your Matches” box to the right.
If you see personal support worker jobs that interest you, click on the job titles to view additional job information.

What Other Search Options are Available?

This website offers many other options to refine your job search. This can be done by doing an “Advanced search”.

Advance job search option on Workopolis.ca

To do this type of search, click the “Advanced search” link on the homepage under the “Find Jobs” button. Fill in details of the job you are searching for and hit the “Find” button. You do not have to fill in every detail. The more you fill in, the more exact your search will be, but the fewer results you will get.

You can also search by job category by choosing a category from the “Browse Jobs” tab located at the top of the Workopolis.ca homepage.

Please click on “Healthcare Services and Wellness” to see a list of PSW jobs and jobs that are similar.

How Do I Apply for Personal Support Worker Jobs?

When you have found the job that you like, it is very important to apply in the manner specified in the posting. You can click on the job title of any of the personal support worker jobs you wish to apply and look for how you can apply for it.

The method of application will vary for each job, but the information you need will be on this page. You may need to click a link on the page to apply online, or the page may list an address, phone number or fax number so you can submit your resume and application that way.

What is the “My Workopolis” Section?

The “My Workopolis” section is where you access these four options:

Resume and Cover Letters,
Saved Jobs,
Favorite Searches,
Job alerts, and
My Account Settings.

Simply hover over the “My Workopolis tab,” then click on your selection to update your information and improve your chances of getting hired.

How Do I Create and Upload my Resume?

Throughout your job search journey, your resume is going to be your best friend. It will create the first impression about who you are and what you have to offer for the organization you are applying to.

So make sure your resume is up-to-date and the best.

You can check out the complete guide to building a resume for tips on how to create a great resume for PSW jobs and you can also check out the sample resume which you can use to create one of your own.

Creating profile on Workopolis.ca

Workopolis.ca also offers great tools to create your resume. If you already have one, you can just upload it to the website. Please follow the steps below to access this feature of the website:

First, click the “Join Now” link in the top right corner of any Workopolis.ca page to create an account, if you have not done so already.
Hover over the “Post a Resume” tab on the top of any page, and click “Add a Resume.”
If you have a resume already, choose the “Upload Resume” option, click “browse” to find the file on your computer and then click the “Next” button.
If you need to create a resume, choose the “Create resume manually” option, and then hit the “Next” button. This will take you to a page where you can fill in all of your information.
You can also import your resume from LinkedIn or copy and paste your resume into a text box.

How Do I Set Up Email Alerts?

Setting up email alerts for PSW jobs that get posted here is a great way to save time and energy. You can do this in few easy steps listed below:

Hover over the “My Workopolis” tab and select “Favourite Searches and Job Alerts.”
Click the “Create a new favourite search & job alert” button.
Type in as much or as little information as you would like to search for personal support worker jobs and choose how often you would like to have new PSW jobs emailed to you. Click the “Save and Search” button.
You can also sign up for job alerts from the results page of a basic job search. Simply click the “Email me jobs like these” button, fill in the requested information and click the “Create Alert” button.

What Additional Career Resources Are Available?
Workopolis.ca has four additional career resources available:

Latest news and advice,
Salary calculator,
Resume Rescue, and
Education and Training.

Resume Rescue is a paid, professional service that you can use to improve your resume and increase your chances of being hired for PSW jobs.

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Saint Elizabeth

How to Apply

HOW DO I SEARCH FOR A PSW POSITION?

WHAT OTHER JOB SEARCH OPTION DOES THIS WEBSITE OFFER?

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PSW JOB?

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE FOR PSW JOB ALERTS?

How to use Google Alerts?

What Other Search Options are Available?

How Do I Set Up Email Alerts?

Are You Looking to Boost Your Résumé?