Personal Support Worker With Digital Technology Program At OCMT

Personal Support Worker with Digital Technology Program at OCMT

Empowering Future and Current Health Care Providers

The role of PSWs is expanding beyond traditional caregiving to include the use of technology in healthcare settings. According to a study by the University of Toronto, the role of PSWs has evolved with greater demands for complex institutional care. However, many PSWs face challenges due to limited knowledge of technology applications used in daily operational management. OCMT's program addresses this gap, empowering PSWs with the skills needed to integrate technology into their practice, enhancing their efficiency and productivity.

About the Program

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, caregivers are more critical than ever in supporting Canadian families. Recognizing their invaluable contributions, the Government of Canada has emphasized the importance of enhancing support for caregivers. In this spirit, the Ontario College of Management and Technology (OCMT) is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Personal Support Worker (PSW) with Digital Technology program, the first of its kind in Canada.

Personal Support Worker with Digital Technology program is a groundbreaking program that combines traditional caregiving skills with cutting-edge technology, preparing students to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare sector. The curriculum includes direct patient/resident-care experience and is anchored by an experienced former Executive Director of a Retirement Residence with advanced degrees in Nursing and Health Informatics.

Additional Information

Examples of careers in this field include, but are not limited to:

- Hospital and Health Centres
- Retire Homes
- Group Care homes
- Long Term Care
- Community Health Centres
- Nursing Homes
- Government
- Settlement Centers
- Individual family

Program Details

Duration

8 months

This is a rigorous and comprehensive program that combines classroom with practicum. Please contact our team at ontariopsw@ocmtontario.ca to learn more.

Delivery

This program is delivered in-class, hybrid, or online. Students who are unable to secure housing in proximity to the college campus may opt in for an online delivery. However, practicum is a mandatory onsite requirement.

Entry Dates

March, June, September, & December

Integrated Components

Digital Technology. The cutting edge technology offers hands-on training on applications that most healthcare facilities use in both record keeping and documentation.

Admission Requirements

- Applicants with a High School Diploma
- Matured applicants with relevant work experience
- Practising Health care Workers
- Nursing/Hospitality/Nanny/
- Others with related background in academic or work experience

Your Career

Personal Support Worker
Community Support Worker
Patient Care Assistant
Residential Support Worker
Disability Support Worker
Rehabilitation Aide
Senior Caregiver

and more…

Courses

Semester 1

Course Name	Learning Outcome
Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Development	This course teaches basics of human development from birth to older adult years, including some common health issues faced by different age groups as well as the role of the Health Support Worker in incorporating this knowledge when providing care will also be explored.
College Mathematics	This course provides students with the essential knowledge of how to solve mathematical operations, including college level additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, and other manipulative methods of working with numbers.
The Art of Communicating in Business	In this course, students are prepared with the necessary knowledge of reading, writing, and speaking in English language. Through appropriate use of grammar, punctuations, essay writing, and knowledge test, students will be able to communicate effectively in workplace environments.
Nutrition, Care Evaluation and Medication Management	Students will be acquainted with the nutritional requirement of clients in diverse care settings. They will learn the basis of appropriate nutrition in relation to chronic health conditions, client’s cultural background and preferences, including medication management, and overall well-being
Technology and Health Care Support	Learn the fundamentals of technology, its use, common applications employed in the community setting, and responsibility surrounding its use.
Mental Health and Responsive Behaviour Management,	Students will be introduced to the concept of mental health and cognitive impairment conditions such as depression and different forms of dementia. They will learn how clients and families deal with these conditions, including related behaviours and stereotypes. They will be taught conflict resolution or de-escalation strategies that can be leveraged in order to provide safe and compassionate care to patients and families.

Semester 2

Course Name	Learning Outcome
Caregiving, International Relationships, Diversity, and Inclusion	This course introduces students to the foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes required to adequately assist and support patients, families, and members of the health care interdisciplinary team in diverse work environments.
Canadian Healthcare System, Levels of Government, and Regulatory Requirements	Students will learn about the Canadian health care system and how it works in relation to various levels of government across diverse health care settings and relevant regulatory requirements applicable to those settings.
Knowledge and Skill Demonstration	This course is a combination of hands-on and coaching style. Students will demonstrate what they have learned in theory in a simulated environment just like in real-life work setting. Students will be able to critically think through the process of completing specific care tasks given different case scenarios and challenges such as assisting with personal hygiene, feeding, elimination, medication management, emotional support, etc.
Managerial Accounting for Health Care Professionals	All businesses (for profit or not-for-profit) across industries within the private or public sector are operated based on certain principles of costing decisions. Whether it is operational or strategic decisions, organizations make certain cost decisions which ultimately determine their continuous operations. This course exposes students to cost analysis, break-even, profitability analysis and other frameworks that guides management accounting principles.
Introduction to Professional Development	In this course, students will learn the importance and ways of maintaining accountability, and being responsible at work. They will learn about the significance of human resource requirements in organizations such as employee code of conducts, work expectations, and performance evaluation.

Semester 3

Course Name	Learning Outcome
Practicum	Onsite supervised practicum at the designated care facility, where students will experience a hands-on experience under the supervision of a Care Supervisor, and in collaboration with other support workers.