Personal Support Worker
(In Person & Hybrid versions)

The Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics (CCHAP) is registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career College Act, 2005. We offer the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program, accredited by the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) and registered with the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). This NACC PSW (2022) program is required to work as a personal support worker or at similar positions in long-term care facilities, home care services, group homes, hospitals, adult day programs, and educational facilities.

Personal Support Worker (PSW) is a rewarding professional working with elderly or other dependent persons who have difficulties performing daily living activities. PSW are hired as permanent full-time, part-time or flexible contract positions. PSW workers are employed in healthcare centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, group homes, client homes, and private care facilities. The job includes preparing and serving meals, laundry, light housekeeping, personal care and hygiene, and bedside care.

A post-secondary student completing a grade-12 education in Canada or elsewhere can become a PSW. The PSW work will require physical fitness to assist a dependent person. Ability to speak in one of the official languages of Canada (English or French) is also a requirement for many employers.

The formal admission criteria are following:

• Grade 12 (OSSD) or mature student status. Mature student status means 18 years or older and attaining a minimum passing score of 11 or higher on the Wonderlic SLE (Scholastic Level Exam). 
• All foreign credentials must be translated into English and compared for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized organization (i.e. WES) 
• If English is not the First Language, then one of the following: 
  • IELTS – Minimum score of 6.0 with no subject test score lower than 5.5;
  • or TOEFL – Overall 80 with the minimum in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20;
  • or CAEL: Overall 60 No section below 60
  • Please confirm if unsure (info@cchap.ca) 

Your success is our success. The CCHAP has established a series of successful skills workshop that compliment our vocational programs like PSW program including the phlebotomy, intramuscular injection, electronic medical records, and many others workshops. We will be offering these workshops as complimentary totalling over $2,000 in value. Further, we will be working with you to improve your communication skills to support your job search and provide customized support as per your need and request. Other strengths of our program are following:

• Specialized Institute for Healthcare Professionals
• Professional and experienced instructors
• Hands-on training
• Convenient class schedule
• Emphasis on one-to-one support
• The graduates of our program receive support in job search and preparing CVs and applications
• Ongoing career coaching and guidance from experts in the field
• Mentorship that will help to build valuable personal and professional networks
• Recommendation letters for best students

Since January 2023, the Canadian College of Healthcare and Pharmaceutics have started accepting international students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is – O278286722242. To apply as an international student, please click on this link to understand the steps. You can start your application here. If you are applying as an international student, the minimum student permit issued will be one year for completing this program.

The total program duration is 700 hours. The program can be completed as early as 29 weeks or can take up to 48 weeks. The typical program duration is 31 weeks.

The NACC approved curriculum is divided as:

• In-class Theory and Practice – 400 hours
• Clinical placement – Facility 200 hours
• Clinical placement – Community 100 hours

The program is divided into following 15 subjects (modules). 

• PSW Foundations (55 hours) 
• Safety and Mobility (40 hours) 
• Body Systems (40 hours) 
• Assisting with Personal Hygiene (30 hours) 
• Abuse and Neglect in Seniors (15 hours) 
• Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration (25 hours) 
• Care Planning / Restorative Care / Documentation / Working in the Community (30 hours) 
• Assisting the Family, Growth and Development (25 hours)
• Assisting the Dying Person (30 hours)
• Assisting with Medications (20 hours)
• Cognitive and Mental Health Issues and Brain Injuries (40 hours)
• Health Conditions (40 hours)
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care (10 hours)
• Clinical Placement (Facility) (200 hours)
• Clinical Placement (Community) (100 hours)

The NACC 2022 PSW Certificate program is also offered as hybrid program. For the hybrid version of the program, from the total 400 hours of theory classes usually delivered at 20 hours per week or 20 weeks, about 101 hours will be in-person (or 5 weeks). Rest of the program will be delivered as synchronous program. 

The clinical and community placements that are 300 hours (11 weeks @30 hours per week) are in-person.

Please inform the campus administrator while enrolling if you would like to enrol for NACC 2022 PSW – DE program.

The NACC 2022 PSW Certificate program is accredited by the National Association of Career Colleges. 

• Credential: Certificate program
• Registration Status: Approved as a vocational program under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. The college uses the curriculum developed and maintained by the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC)
• Duration: Average is 31 weeks (range: 29 weeks to 48 weeks)
• Placement: Included
• Schedule: Morning or Evening or weekend
• Tuition fee:

  For fees, please email info@cchap.ca or call 416-233-7869. Funding and grants are available for eligible students. For domestic students, different funding and fees discounts are available.

• Book fee: For fees, please email info@cchap.ca or call 416-233-7869. Funding and grants are available for eligible students
• Financial aid: For domestic students fee discounts and government funding is available based on their eligibility.
• Campus: Suite 201, 5481 Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON M9B 1B5

PSW Certificate (Domestic)

PSW Certificate (International)