Personal Support Worker

Academic Requirements

To apply for the Personal Support Worker program at Niagara College, applicants must meet the following Academic Requirements:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):

• English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
• Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
• Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)

Selection and Ranking: Applications are evaluated based on the published Academic Requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Program Requirements:

Government Mandates

All students who participate in clinical placements are, without exception, required to meet the expectations mandated by the Ontario Hospitals Act and the Ontario Long Term Care Homes Act. These nonacademic requirements include: Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen and the Confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS). Detailed requirements are below.

All requirements must be met and remain current for the student’s duration of the program subject to the Placement Agency’s requirements. If any documentation expires before the end of the term and the student’s last day of clinical placement, the student will not be able to register for that term’s clinical course or its co-requisites.

Criminal Record Check

• A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required by the start of week 12 of Term 1.
• Students with criminal charges or convictions will be severely limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field.
• Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.
• The CRC-VSS must be provided to the Placement Agency on the first day of the clinical placement, or as required by the Placement Agency. Niagara College does not adjudicate the CRC-VSS, but merely facilitates the paperwork. It is the Placement Agency that adjudicates the clearance.

Communicable Disease Surveillance

• The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program or prior to the term which includes field placement, co-op or clinical opportunities.
• This process must be maintained annually.
• This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
• If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.

First Aid and CPR

• Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
• CPR must be renewed annually.
• All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.
• During the first week of Term 1, the Field Placement Coordinator will provide information regarding the First Aid and CPR requirement. Students are required to provide copies of their certification for Standard First Aid and CPR at Level HCP/BLS.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For any clarification and support regarding the Academic Requirements, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

If English is your second language, Niagara College will accept the following language proficiency scores for the Personal Support Worker program, which is a Certificate level program:

• Cambridge English Exams (B2 First/FCE, C1 Advanced/CAE or C2 Proficiency/CPE): 169 – No skill under 162.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 – No individual band under 5.5.
• Internet-based (IBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): iBT: 80, Minimum: 20 Writing, 20 Speaking.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58+, with no individual skill below 53.
• Duolingo English Language Test: 105+, with no individual subscore below 95.
• Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL): 60 – No individual band under 50.
• Completion of Niagara College’s English for Academic Preparation (EAP) Level 5 with 70% and no individual grade under 50%.

NOTE: Language proficiency test results are valid for a period of two years from the test date.

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.