As a member of an interprofessional health-care team, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) provides supportive person-centered care across the lifespan to individuals and families, at various levels of health and wellbeing, in a variety of care environments including: long-term, community and/or hospital care settings. Conestoga's PSW program prepares students to become preferred graduates for the profession; one that truly makes a difference in the lives of others. Students will progress from beginning engagement to an entry-to-practice prepared professional PSW; one who participates in the delivery of care as directed by the plan of care/service plan with activities of daily living, comprising personal care, home management and nutrition and family responsibilities. Throughout the program, students learn how to promote a comfortable and safe environment for all clients including those experiencing responsive behaviours, risk for injury and/or clients requiring end-of-life care. Provincially recognized certificates related to these areas of learning will be received. Experiential learning, which is central to Conestoga's program, is integrated throughout to support student application of knowledge, skills and judgment. Students have the opportunity to study in the state-of-the art, technology-enhanced Cowan Health Sciences Centre (Doon - Kitchener) or in one of two Living Classrooms (Guelph - Riverside Glen and Waterloo - Schlegel Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Aging).

Personal support workers contribute to the quality of life of individuals by promoting their independence and dignity; social, emotional and physical needs; mobility; personal appearance; comfort and safety. Graduates understand the roles, responsibilities and limitations of the personal support worker and work as a member of the health-care team, communicating effectively, and observing and reporting changes in clients' conditions.