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About the program

Compassionate care at life's most critical moments. This program is designed for those who support individuals and families through the final stages of life, including RPNs, PSWs, orderlies, volunteers, support workers and members of the clergy. You'll deepen your understanding of end-of-life care and build the skills to provide support that is compassionate, holistic and dignified.

Through a blend of theory and practical strategies, you'll learn how to manage symptoms, address emotional and spiritual needs and communicate with empathy and respect. You'll explore cultural and personal perspectives on death and bereavement and learn how to navigate ethical challenges with sensitivity. The program also emphasizes the importance of community resources and collaborative care in enhancing comfort and quality of life.

If you're committed to making a meaningful difference for individuals facing terminal illness, this program will give you the tools to provide care that truly matters.

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

  • Apply at Ontario Colleges - www.ontariocolleges.ca
  • 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

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

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

Winter registration: Now open
Spring registration: Opens March 2, 2026