PSWHQ 002 : Extraordinary Journey of a PSW with Miranda Ferrier from Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA)

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Having worked as a Personal Support Worker and now the president of Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA), Miranda has seen it all.

She has experienced first-hand the plight of residents in nursing homes and the constraints that PSW’s has to go through while working in such settings.

In this episode, I’m delighted to have her with me. She heads OPSWA, a professional association of the PSW’s, by the PSW’s.

She’s doing a tremendous job considering what a herculean task she has on her hands and that’s advocating for the Personal Support Workers in Ontario.

She talks about her journey and shares her thoughts on some of the issues that surround Personal Support Workers.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, ON THE SHOW YOU WILL FIND:

  • What is Ontario Personal Support Worker Association (OPSWA) and how is it different from some of the other PSW focused organizations?
  • How fair is the salary of Personal Support Workers in general and of those working in the community in particular?
  • Working as a PSW in southern and northern Ontario is not the same. Working in northern Ontario is lot more challenging and why.
  • Ministry of Health and Long-term care is looking into increasing the minimum wage of PSW’s working in the community.
  • Some of Miranda’s own experiences working as a PSW in long-term care.
  • Envelope funding for long-term care homes in Ontario and why it is not enough to keep up with the demand.
  • PSW’s are in fear and subjects of bullying while working in long-term care. This is a unique kind of bullying that unfortunately happens on a daily basis and the reason why it happens.
  • What someone from out of Ontario or out of Canada can do to evaluate their education in order to work as a Personal Support Worker in Ontario?
  • OPSWA membership and the benefits of joining this organization. One thing that is of utmost importance is the fact that how becoming a member of OPSWA can greatly increase your chances of getting hired as a PSW.
  • Backcheck – Annual background check.
  • Insure PSW – OPSWA’s personal liability insurance program for PSW’s.
  • Coming soon – Opportunity for OPSWA members to obtain medical benefits for them and their family for very low cost.
  • National Association of Career Colleges (NACC)
  • How OPSWA helps you in finding a job.
  • Professional development courses through preferred health.
  • About the upcoming first OPSWA conference and the benefits of attending.
  • OPSWA’s fourth annual PSW appreciation night.
  • Complete agenda for the conference.
  • Plus much more!

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE OPSWA CONFERENCE

This conference is being held on April 25 and 26 of 2014 and you can get your ticket for $99. If you are not an OPSWA member, the regular price for the ticket is $150.

Being such a wonderful person that Miranda is, she has been so kind to offer a heavy discount on the conference ticket price for the listeners and readers of pswhq.

In order to buy your ticket, all you have to do is click here and click on “registration” that is on the top right corner of the page. In the box under “Other $”, input 99 and you should be able to get your ticket for the price of 99$.

Thanks again for this Miranda. You are awesome!

STILL UNDECIDED, CHECK OUT SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE OPSWA CONFERENCE:

  • You will get to attend four seminars and will be awarded certificates for attending each seminar.
  • Six months of free OPSWA membership.
  • Networking opportunity with some of Ontario’s top employers.
  • Two free drinks at the “PSW Appreciation Night” to be held on April 26th at Monarchs Pub.
  • Breakfast and lunch on the day of conference, April 26th.

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Avlin
Avlin

Avlin is passionate about helping aspirants become better personal support workers. He is an entrepreneur and runs a clinic in Toronto.

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