Student Experience

Gain practical experience

The 29-week, full-time Personal Support Worker certificate program at the Pembroke Campus combines in-classroom theory and lab practice with three clinical placements, where students gain hands-on work experience as part of a health-care team. Students in the Personal Support Worker program at Algonquin College have the opportunity to practice their skills in our on-site simulation lab, and participate in over 200 hours of clinical experience. The rest of the program is delivered through a combination of theory, lectures, exercises, and independent learning, where students practice reading, writing, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Each level of the program has a lab component where the student has the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned Students work with organizations such as the Marianhill and Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke, Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew, the North Renfrew Long-Term Care Centre in Deep River, as well as home care services and retirement homes.

In a recent nationwide review of health services in Canadian communities, MacLean’s magazine ranked Pembroke fourth in Canada out of 415 municipalities for best communities with health care. Read the Best communities in Canada for great health care 2019 article.

Our program teaches the full scope of practice that aligns with the Personal Support Worker Program Standard set out by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) and the Government of Ontario. Personal Support Workers can work with any age group, with various learning, speech, visual, physical or mental disability and are trained to meet these needs utilizing long-term care, hospital, hospice, and community/home environments. Personal Support Workers have the ability to create a meaningful professional relationship with those most vulnerable and it is vital to have those entering this profession who are dedicated, empathetic, caring and respectful.

Christine Aubin graduated from the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program in 2018 and immediately secured a wonderful job with Bonnechere Manor, Long-Term Care. Christine shared why she chose this program, “I wanted to have a job where I felt I had a purpose, and interact with people on a deeper level. I see PSWs as an important role within our medical team, connecting with clients and residents in a way that I feel is different from other professions. I wanted to provide care to individuals in a way that helps refuel their soul while assisting with everyday tasks they couldn’t do on their own. I wanted to be one of the PSWs every client and resident could trust. I wanted to be the type of PSW I could trust helping me, if or when the time comes in my life. I feel it’s important that anyone interested or second-guessing going back to school at any age, just do it. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Who better to tell you about our program at the Waterfront Campus than our grads!

Plenty of career opportunities

Personal Support Workers (PSW) play an important role in providing care to Canada’s aging population. Most PSW graduates work in retirement homes, long-term care centres or with community agencies providing home care services. It is not uncommon for part-time workers to have more than one job within the field.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to go back to school, even if they are a mom. It is tough at times, and being a military spouse can sometimes make it harder, especially when he is gone away. I love that my kids are proud of me and that I will have a rewarding career. This is a career that will be transferable with me anywhere I go, and the support system I have found within my program has been amazing. Out of my whole class, I would say at least half of us are parents and about 25 per cent are military spouses. We have created an amazing support system as well as life long friendships. My experience with Algonquin College has been wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me!”

– Holly Mortensen, Personal Support Worker Student

Learn hands-on in our modern nursing lab

Our new lab features modern health monitoring equipment and training tools that provide students with realistic hands-on practice. Students use the latest digital blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters to record vital signs, and practice on fully computerized mannequins who talk, show signs of distress and interact with the students. Students learn but are not limited to bathe clients, provide comfort measures and ambulate clients using assistive devices. In addition, students are taught how to ambulate clients using wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.