The inaugural training class of Personal Support Worker (PSW) students has been launched at Villa St-Gabriel Villa in Chelmsford, as part of the provincial effort to offset the shortage of trained health care workers.
The French language students are part of the Carrefour Options+ (Sudbury), Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon’s continuing education school, in partnership with the Villa St-Gabriel Villa.
The new program, open to students 18 years of age and older, provides French-language PSW training to the students, allowing them to provide care to individuals and families in a variety of settings, including long-term care homes and community home care agencies.
CSC Nouvelon is the second school board to offer this program in French in Ontario, said a news release from the school board.
Over the next few months, the students will complete their studies in a living classroom format that includes both theory in a classroom setting, as well as clinical hands-on learning experience directly on-site at Villa St-Gabriel Villa working towards obtaining their PSW certification, said the board.
By gaining access to Villa St. Gabriel Villa’s Living Classroom program, students will be able to take part in one of the first part-time PSW programs offered in Greater Sudbury, said the board. The Living Classroom program will accommodate learners who may have family or other workweek schedules, therefore offering the schedule of two afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and two dayshifts on Saturdays and Sundays.
It will be facilitated directly in the home in order to incorporate classroom and front-line learning experiences alongside professional clinical care staff, said the board.
"While Northern Ontario is experiencing a shortage in health care personnel, Carrefour Options+ and CSC Nouvelon are proud to work in partnership with Villa St-Gabriel Villa to offer this program that is so important for families in our area," said Paul Henry, director of education and secretary-treasurer at CSC Nouvelon.
“Since the launch of this program in 2022-2023, Carrefour Options+ provides training for PSWs in French, our graduates will be well equipped to work in several institutions and agencies in Greater Sudbury and elsewhere that are always looking for qualified bilingual staff."
The board said the PSW program will provide caregivers with the essential knowledge, skills, techniques, and abilities associated with this job field. They will be able to help clients of all ages with daily activities, including personal care, home management, nutrition and family responsibilities. The PSWs will thus be able to meet the unique needs of each person in their individual emotional, cognitive, spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, and physical care goals.
This program will be offered once again during the 2024-2025 school year. More information can be learned by contacting Ms. Jocelyne Leclair, Carrefour Options+ Principal, at 705-525-0110 or [email protected]. Carrefour Options+ is located at 504 St-Raphaël St., Sudbury.
