5 Job Opportunities for a Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Career opportunities of a PSW are always in demand and slump-resistant! This is because although the fundamental responsibilities of a Personal Support Worker are similar, the scope of its job prospects is governed by many factors such as:

• Type of setting – Private home, Long-Term Care home, Retirement home, Clinical care setting
• Requirements of the family or client when working in a private setting
• Policies and procedures of the clinical care setting
• Type of Personal Support Worker (PSW) training
• Type and amount of experience
• Legislation

The demand for personal support workers is so high in Canada that PSW has many career prospects and it is no easy task to understand the many paths and industries you can work in, in the healthcare sector. Hence in this blog you will find a breakdown of different job prospects you can apply for as a qualified PSW.

Perioperative Support Assistant (PSA)

Perioperative Support Assistants work in a hospital setting usually in Operating Rooms (OR) or Post Anesthetic Care Units (PACUs). In this position you will be required to assist patients in and out of surgeries, prepare patients for surgeries through surgical dressings, and other required activities. A PSW will be required to have Knowledge of sterile techniques, Knowledge of MSDS and WHMIS, and Basic Life Support Certification to be a Perioperative Support Assistant.

A PSA also provides to the family and other members of their patients under the guidance of a registered nurse (RN). It is the job of PSA to make sure the patient is provided a safe, clean and accessible environment through their entire surgery procedures and after-care.

Personal Care Attendant

A Personal Care Attendant assists people with chronic diseases, physical disabilities and mental ailments go about their daily tasks through maintaining proper care, comfort, safety and well-being of their clients across the life span, all while demonstrating sensitivity and respect. With an increasing aging population this position is in high-demand.

PSAs must perform their duties under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). Personal care aides work in a variety of environments, including patient homes, small residential facilities, group homes and large-scale care communities. Unlike home health aides, personal care aides don’t perform medical-related tasks as their work often begins post-surgery.

A Personal Care Attendant is expected to perform their duties with dignity, worth, need for self-respect and self-determination of the individual, all in ways which promote maximum support for the patients independence and self-will.

Community Support Worker

Community support workers typically work in assisted living communities where they provide care and support to individuals within and throughout the community, accomplishing some of the core tasks of a PSW. They assist and support clients and their caregivers to help create independence in the group residence, community and home setting, to manage daily tasks as well as specific functions. The Community Support Worker will make sure that the residents can carry out the functions delegated to them in a healthy, safe, and satisfactory manner.

Respite Worker

If the primary caregiver at your home or  care facility has to take longer breaks, shorter workers can intervene and take responsibility. Responsibilities can include all core PSW tasks.

Respite workers, often known as patient sitters, assist primary carers of disabled or ill clients with short relief from their responsibilities. Supervising activities, assisting with personal cleanliness, and accompanying clients on outings are among their responsibilities. Respite workers may work in care institutions or provide home care.

A Respite Worker’s daily day would include the following tasks:

• Providing support, companionship, and comfort to sick, old, or disabled people.
• Monitoring vital indicators and administering recommended medications.
• Assessing a client’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• When necessary, facilitating appropriate professional assistance.
• Clients are engaged in appropriate activities such as socialising, playing games, or reading aloud.
• Providing mobility, personal hygiene, eating, and drinking assistance to customers.
• Clients are accompanied to medical appointments and trips.
• Cleaning, cooking, and shopping are examples of general household responsibilities.
• Keeping the environment clean and safe.

Patient Care Assistant

Patient care aides assist patients with a variety of fundamental hygiene activities, such as bathing and clothing them, assisting them with toileting, and feeding them. Patient care aides also assist patients in turning and repositioning themselves in bed as needed, as well as transferring from the bed to a wheelchair if they use one. They pay attention to any health concerns that patients could have and communicate them to the nurses.

Patient care aides are employed in a variety of areas. Nursing care institutions employ 40% of nursing assistants. Hospitals employ the second biggest percentage of helpers, at 26%, followed by nursing homes.

Continuing Care Assistant

Continuing Care Assistants (CCA) are often employed in long-term care institutions, where they may be required to perform any or all of the PSW’s core responsibilities. They give essential services to persons who require assistance in their daily lives. Do you think you’d be willing to assist an elderly person? Or making a difference in the life of a sick person? If that’s the case, you might find your calling as a CCA.

Your clients rely on you as a CCA to offer direct care for their safety and well-being, as well as to improve their quality of life. You assist them in engaging in worthwhile activities, such as social connections and entertainment. You provide personal attention and support to your customers in order to assist them live a healthy lifestyle.

Personal Support Worker course can now be learned online, onsite or in hybrid mode at NACPT Pharma College. Every qualified student will be eligible for educational grants and the job assistance program that will make you career-ready to take up positions in this field. 

Visit www.NacptpharmaCollege.com for more information or contact us at +1 416 412 7374 | +1 647 998 7374 (Text) | info@nacptpharmacollege.com to talk to our program advisors.