A Personal Support Worker (PSW) carries a tremendous amount of responsibility, both in regard to the clients to whom they provide care and in regard to the tasks they are performing.

The following qualities will help any healthcare support worker in their professional career.

EMPATHY, HONESTY & FLEXIBILITY

A support worker must be able to demonstrate character traits such as empathy, honesty, flexibility and the ability to provide warm encouragement.

COMPASSION

A Personal Support Worker must showcase compassion, an essential characteristic of a good support worker. This trait goes a long way in helping to connect well with clients and handle their various needs with tenderness and warmth.

TRUST & HONESTY

Both of above-mentioned qualities facilitate trust, which is another essential component in any healthcare profession.

The importance of honesty in this position cannot be underestimated.  It display’s that the support worker handled all delicate aspects of the job of caring for another human being in the security of their home with the highest integrity.

PROFESSIONAL & MOTIVATOR

A Personal Support Worker should have the ability to build clients’ self-esteem and self-confidence and should be able to encourage his or her clients/residents/patients to be as active as possible and to be as independent as they possibly can within the confines of their physical or mental limitations.

ADAPTABILITY

It is very important to strongly emphasize flexibility and adaptability. The nature of personal support work is such that each day can present new challenges and obstacles which both the client and the caregiver must work together to overcome.

It should reflect that the worker is able to handle these challenging situations with the utmost discretion and confidence.

PROBLEM-SOLVING

PSWs should also never develop the habit of making assumptions as to what each day will bring with each individual client. Thinking quickly on their feet in any situation is what makes an excellent PSW.

TEAM PLAYER & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

In addition to these significant qualities, the worker should also focus on the ability to work as part of a team, emphasizing the worker’s stellar communication skills (both interprofessional and interprofessional) and the ability to shift a workload as needed as part of this team.

All of these qualities should be demonstrated in daily practice. They help develop professional work ethics and rapport, not only among co-workers but with clients as well.

This positive image could get you noticed and be a gateway to future opportunities and professional development. 

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 PSW, 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 PSW.

PSW job interview questions

If you’re determined to pass your next PSW interview with flying colours, we’re here to help. PSWHQ has 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 PSW and completed the personal support worker 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. 

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FAQs

1. What qualities make a good PSW?

There are many qualities that make a good PSW. A few of these qualities are:
Ability to provide and assess physical care, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, and changing diapers;
-knowledge of the medical history of their patients;
-responsibility for ensuring that all necessary equipment is present in the home so they can complete their job;
Ability to communicate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers about patients’ needs.

2. What are your goals as a personal support worker?

Home health care aides are trained to assist customers in performing the activities of daily living. Their intent is to provide as much independence and dignity as possible to beneficiaries, such as providing assistance with daily personal care activities and personal hygiene.

3. What is professionalism as a support worker?

Physicians who are proactive in seeking the best approach to address their patient’s needs preserve the highest quality of patient care. More reputable than clients who merely follow professional guidelines are the doctors who respect them by meeting with them!

4. What are the code of ethics for support workers?

Execute services and support in a morally and orderly manner in a respectful and safety-conscious manner. Act with trustworthiness, honesty, and credibility. Seek out ways to address and support concerns that may impact the quality and safety of services and supplies provided to people with disabilities.

5. What are the ethical considerations for disability?

There are many ethical considerations for disability, including the following:
-The right to life and safety.
-Equal access to healthcare.
-Accessibility of buildings and public transportation.
-Employment opportunities in the workforce with equal pay rates.
-Reasonable accommodations in school settings or workplaces when necessary (e.g., assistive technology).

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