NACC Personal Support Worker - DE 2022

Program Overview

The NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program is an intensive 24-week training experience designed to prepare compassionate, competent, and confident caregivers for meaningful careers in the healthcare field. This program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to provide person-centered support to individuals of all ages facing challenges due to illness, aging, or disability.

As a PSW, you’ll learn to assist clients with activities of daily living, including personal care, mobility, nutrition, home management, and emotional support. You’ll develop the expertise to work with individuals living with cognitive impairments, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and palliative care needs, ensuring comfort, dignity, and safety in every care interaction.

Program Delivery

The program is offered in a hybrid format, blending the flexibility of online learning with the benefits of in-person, hands-on training.

• Theoretical learning takes place through our interactive Learning Management System (LMS), where students attend live online lectures, engage in class discussions, complete assignments, and collaborate with peers and instructors in real time.
• Practical skills training is conducted in our on-campus simulated-lab facilities, giving students the opportunity to practice essential care techniques under the direct supervision and feedback of experienced instructors.

Field Placements

As part of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program at Excellence Imperial College, students will complete 300 hours of supervised field placement, divided between a long-term care facility and a community care setting. These placements provide invaluable, hands-on experience in real healthcare environments, helping students build confidence, develop professional teamwork skills, and deliver compassionate, person-centered care.

The College works closely with each student to arrange and monitor placements. A dedicated field advisor or instructor provides continuous supervision and support and is accessible by phone or email throughout the placement.

Placement Requirements

Before beginning placement, students must obtain the following at their own expense:

• Clinical Pre-Placement Health Form

• Medical Clearance, including immunization records and lab results
• Standard First Aid and CPR Level C Certification

Students should be aware that additional costs may be associated with meeting field placement requirements.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is at the heart of this program. Students benefit from immersive opportunities that:

• Foster the development of practical and clinical skills in authentic care settings.
• Cultivate reflective and responsive caregiving practices.
• Provide mentorship and guidance from healthcare professionals.
• Encourage collaboration and critical thinking in care delivery.

Students also participate in Living Classroom and ONSITE (Ontario Sites for Integrated Teaching and Experiential Learning) experiences, innovative models that combine classroom instruction with direct, hands-on engagement in long-term care and retirement living communities. This unique approach allows for immediate application of learning, building confidence and competence in real-time care environments.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum of a Canadian high school grade 12 or equivalent (Ontario Secondary School Diploma – OSSD) or equivalent, or
• Equivalent foreign credentials must be translated into English and evaluated for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized assessment organization.
• A mature student (19 years of age or older) status may be granted to applicants who are over 19 years of age and do not have a Canadian high school diploma or GED, or
• Alternate Admission Test: A minimum score of 11 on the Wonderlic SLE, as administered by EICC.

Additional Requirements

1. Proof of English Language Proficiency (visit the Domestic Students page or the  International Admissions page for more information).
2. A valid, clear Canada-wide Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required within 45 days of the start of your program.
3. A satisfactory medical report must be submitted within 45 days of starting the program. The required form will be provided by EICC.
4. Signed Vulnerable Sector Disclaimer.
5. Signed Medical Disclaimer.