PSW jobs in long-term care facilities comprise more than half of the total home support worker jobs in Ontario.
That’s approximately 57% of Personal Support Workers in Ontario.
As you know, Personal Support Worker has not regulated health professions or medical professionals in Ontario.
There is no governing body, like the College of Nurses for the nursing profession.
Personal support work in long-term care facilities must follow the rules and regulations set forth by the Ontario government.
Long-term care facilities in Ontario are governed by the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA).
It sets out healthcare policy or rules and regulations pertaining to their functioning.
The act also sets out rules and regulations regarding the education and qualifications of Personal Support Workers wishing to work in Long-Term Care facilities in Ontario.
The updated rules pertaining to education and qualification of PSWs being hired in Long-Term care facilities came into effect on January 1, 2016.
WHY WERE THE RULES CHANGED?
Despite the fact that the 2007 Act was adhered to by the majority of stakeholders responsible for providing personal care and becoming a personal care attendant to nearly 80 000 long-term care facility residents living in Ontario, the need for a more consistent and comprehensive educational standard eventually arose.
As a result, the government of Ontario set out to amend the professional regulation pertaining to the hiring for PSW jobs in long-term care facilities homes in Ontario.
Public opinion was sought through the Regulatory Registry of Ontario where anyone could voice their concerns regarding the existing regulations and subsequently incorporate them into the amendments, prior to the Act being presented to the Cabinet for approval.
After many deliberations, the new regulations came into effect on January 01, 2016.
RULES FOR PSW JOBS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Please note that the new regulations apply only to Personal Support Workers seeking employment in Long-Term care facilities in Ontario.
NEW EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
As of January 01, 2016, PSWs looking to get hired in a Long-Term care facility must:
- successfully complete a Personal Support Worker Program that meets the following requirements:
- follows the Personal Support Worker Program Standard set forth in 2014 by the Ministry of Training, Private Career Colleges, and Universities, and
- be a minimum of 600 hours in duration, counting both class time and practical experience time.
- provide the Long-Term Care facility with proof of graduation issued by the education provider.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A NURSE TO WORK AS A PSW
Nurses, both Registered Nurses (RN’s) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPN’s), can also work in the capacity of a Personal Support Worker as long as the following two conditions are met:
- in the opinion of the hiring manager at the Long-Term Care facility, the Nurse has adequate skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a personal support worker, and
- has the appropriate current certificate of registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A NURSING STUDENT TO WORK AS A PSW
If you’re enrolled in a registered nurse or a registered practical nursing program, you can work in the capacity of a Personal Support Worker.
However, this is at the discretion of the hiring manager or the Director of Care (DOC) at the Long-Term Care home.
You must possess adequate skills and knowledge to perform the duties of a Personal Support Worker.
WORKING AS A PSW WITH NO CERTIFICATE
You can apply for PSW jobs in Long-Term Care facilities if you do not have a Personal Support Worker certificate.
You can be exempt from the new regulations if you do not currently meet either the existing or new educational standards.
You must, however, fulfill the following requirements:
- worked at a long-term care home at any point within the previous year prior to July 1, 2011, or
- were employed on a full-time basis for at least three years during the 5 years immediately prior to being hired, or
- worked for the equivalent of at least 3 years full-time during the seven years immediately before gaining employment within the field.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A PSW STUDENT TO WORK AS A PSW
If you’re currently enrolled in a PSW program but have not graduated yet, you can still work in the capacity of a Personal Support Worker.
Here are the conditions under which this is possible:
- You must have completed the theory part of the PSW training program,
- You must be in the process of completing the practicum requirements of the program,
- You can only work under the supervision of the registered nursing staff (RN or RPN) and an instructor from the program.
WORKING AS A PSW IN ONTARIO, IF GRADUATED FROM ANOTHER PROVINCE
Did you graduate from a province other than Ontario but have now moved to Ontario?
You can still apply for PSW jobs in long-term care facilities in Ontario!
Here are the three stipulations:
- You must have obtained a PSW equivalent diploma from another province:
- the program must be 600 hours in duration, including both the in-class and practicum.
- You must provide a copy of the certificate/diploma to your employer, and
- your hiring is based on the hiring manager’s discretion such that he or she believes that you have a reasonable set of skills required to perform the PSW duties.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW PSW GRADUATES
Long-Term care facilities can hire PSWs who have completed a PSW program by July 1, 2018, that meets at least one of the three educational program requirements:
- The educational standards developed by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities,
- the standards implemented by the National Association of Career Colleges, or
- the standards established by the Ontario Community Support Association.
Again, do keep in mind that all the above rules and regulations apply to the Long-Term Care facilities only.
These regulations do not apply if you’re looking to apply in a hospital or the community.
If you’ve any further questions or suggestions, kindly leave a comment in the comments section below.
Nursing careers in Canada
We will also show you the different types of nursing careers that you can pursue in Canada and what makes them different from each other:
A Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
RPNs are required to possess foundational knowledge that combines nursing skills with sound judgment within the context of traditional nursing and bedside care like blood pressure readings, inserting catheters, or answering basic patient questions. Registered Practical Nurses require the least education and practical training but must complete a two-year practical nursing program from an accredited institution nonetheless.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
A Licensed Practical Nurse provides the patients with a variety of basic health services like checking their vital signs and assisting with bathing, dressing, and eating. LPNs’ responsibilities are crucial in order to ensure that patients’ overall comfort and well-being are maintained while they receive medical care.
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs are generally thought of as generalists. They hold a much deeper knowledge base than an RPN or an LPN. While Registered Nurses make more money, LPNs are able to get through school much faster, thus spending less money on school. It’s not uncommon for someone to get their LPN certification, get a job, and then continue their education as an RN while working in an LPN role.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
NPs generally will start their career as RNs before moving into a specific discipline. Nurse Practitioners offer much more comprehensive treatment to patients, diagnose illnesses, offer medications, and discuss treatment plans. They also help to administer medicine prescribed by a physician, which is the biggest difference between an NP and an RN.
Specializations
One of the great things about nursing in Canada is that it offers a lot of different potential paths. RPNs, LPNs, RNs, and NPs can all specialize in one or more areas. Travel Nurse, Oncology Nurse, Nurse Midwife, Cosmetic Nurse are just a few possible other options.
FAQs
1. How many PSWs work in long-term care in Ontario?
As of 2018, there were over 100,000 PSWs employed in Ontario in all related health care industries. 50,000 of these practitioners work in long-term care, where they share the equivalent of 32,700 full-time equivalent employees. Currently, ninety percent of the personal support workers working in this sector are female.
2. Can a PSW work privately in Ontario?
Personal support workers (PSAs) can work for public health care institutions or for private firms which offer the same kinds of services.
3. Are long-term care homes private in Ontario?
In Canada, all long-term care homes are publicly funded and regulated by the Ontario provincial government. Ownership varies, with 57% funded by private ownership, 24% by non-profit and charitable, and 17% by municipal.
4. Can a support worker refuse a delegated task?
You can refuse to accept a role if you do not want to work in the role. Delegating is the same as supervising. Employees are granted permission to operate below the surface of the skin. Monitor you over time to ensure you can remain fit for the task and ensure it’s performed in a safe manner.
5. What can be delegated to PSW?
Tasks involving the insertion of a digit or instrument into a body cavity, care or procedure beneath the dermis, and activities requiring a physician’s prescription can all be delegated.
