Palliative Care | Continuing Education

About the program

This program is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of RPNs, Orderlies, PSWs, Volunteers, Support Workers, and Clergy who deal with the terminally ill and their families. Students will learn to provide compassionate care in which the quality of remaining life is the objective. Students will explore symptom control as the basis to develop a team approach which includes the patient and those close to them. Palliative care also attempts to provide bereavement care for families.

Program information

All courses must be completed within 3 years of acceptance into the program.

Admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older.

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.
Attach proof of Admission Requirements.
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

Develop specific end-of-life support strategies that reinforce principles of independence and dignity for terminally ill patients and their families.
Analyze personal and cultural perspectives on the subjects of loss and bereavement, the meaning of death, and the preparation for death as experienced by terminally ill patients and their families.
Design a holistic approach to care for the terminally ill and their families that addresses physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Recommend community resources to enhance quality of life and promote comfort to the terminally ill.
Design strategies to mitigate (or manage or diffuse) ethical issues experienced by patients and caregivers in palliative/hospice/end-of-life environments.
Review effective communication strategies that ensure respectful and empathetic (or compassionate) interactions with the terminally ill, their families and other individuals affected by end-of-life care.
Describe care giving skills associated with symptom management during palliative care including pain/comfort level, nutritional deficits, and side effects of treatments, sleep and rest difficulties through the use of comfort measures

Program related resources

Student Academic Handbook

Program contact

OntarioLearn Team Member
OntarioLearn@conestogac.on.ca

Continuing Education

Upcoming registrations

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

Winter registration: Opens 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.