Enhanced Personal Support Worker - Palliative/End-of-Life Care | Continuing Education

About the program

Develop enhanced capabilities required to excel in the delivery of supportive palliative/end-of-life care. As essential team members in our evolving health care system, personal support workers who complete this certificate will be equipped with enhanced capabilities to function as leaders in the delivery of integrated palliative/end-of-life care excellence. This program is comprised of seven courses that emphasize learning and growth in the following areas: communication and relational skills, holistic and individualized approaches to supportive care, role optimization within the contexts of person- and family-centred care, and interprofessional collaborative delivery models. Leadership and professionalism will be emphasized as essential foundations to the practice of quality palliative/end-of-life care.

Program information

All courses must be completed within 2 years of acceptance into the program.

Note: Admission to the program is required prior to registration for courses.

Admission requirements

Valid Ontario Personal Support Worker Certificate.
Applicants with a Personal Support Worker or Health Care Aide certificate from a college outside of Ontario are required to complete the supplementary admissions package.

Note re: admission requirements

Students must be able to receive instruction, respond and research in the English language.

Admission procedures

Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form.
Submit proof of Admission Requirements. Review Apply to a Program to learn how.
Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Graduate opportunities

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

Examine the role, responsibilities and accountabilities of the personal support worker as they relate to the provision of high-quality, safe and ethical care for a person and family experiencing a life-limiting illness.
Contribute as an integral member of the interprofessional health care team as it relates evidence-informed practice and risk assessment to enhance patient safety and to improve direct patient care.
Employ enhanced skills related to professionalism, communication and leadership with respect to care decisions, accountability, and team collaboration/consultation to improve continuity of care and enhance the patient and family care experience.
Explore innovative evidence-informed strategies to promote person- and family-centred care, to improve quality of life, and to enrich patient and family care thereby optimizing comfort and dignity.
Demonstrate enhanced problem-solving, critical thinking, observational assessment, analysis, and documentation skills within the personal support worker's role and responsibilities.
Develop accountability for own actions while recognizing boundaries of knowledge and skills in accordance with role and responsibilities, applicable legislation and employer expectations.

Program related resources

Student Academic Handbook

Program contact

CE-HLSCS@conestogac.on.ca

Continuing Education

Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Opened November 4, 2024
Spring registration: Opens March 17, 2025

Disclaimer

The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College.

Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.