On May 27, 1997, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Training, together presented their plan to create a standard training system for PSWs. This joint initiative approved new program standards and a new curriculum for training Personal Support Workers and bridging of existing Health Care Aides, and Homemakers.
The establishment of new standards for Personal Support Work benefits both worker and client, and the amendments to the system were made with these aims in mind:
- The new training program will increase standardization of the outcomes of training
- Training will be more accessible, flexible and portable throughout Ontario
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Updating to the new standards will give workers a broader choice of working in the community or in long-term care facilities
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An investment in updating the training of these workers is one of the most critical factors that will lead to the delivery of high quality long-term care services to clients
Ever since the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Education and Training (MoE&T) established these amendments nearly a decade ago, Ontario Community Colleges, registered private career colleges, Boards of Education (through their adult education divisions), and not-for-profit organizations began to provide PSW training. Of these organizations, all of which base their training programs on the MoE&T document "Personal Support Worker Training: Outcomes and Module Outlines" published by the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA), few have adhered to quality training programs and much of the training and recruitment for the role of a Personal Support Worker became less than the original standards. The PSW today works front line in communities, hospitals and nursing homes, and as such must be held to the standards of a professional front line worker, they must be competent with applied skills and knowledge to address the changing health care requirements. A non-profit Association for Certified Caregivers/Personal Support Workers (NACPSW) grew in direct prominence to the needs of both our rural and urban delivery of health care. A standard is a statement of excellence and the certification is evidence of work performance both in the classroom and on the job.
What is the NACPSW?
The National Association of Certified Caregivers/Personal Support Workers (NACPSW) is a certifying body and membership association that represents Frontline Health Care Workers, Caregivers, Personal Support Workers, and Professional Childcare Workers in Canada. As a PSW and a NACPSW member, you are no longer a lone worker with little influence. The NACSPW is the authoritative voice in Canada of PSWs in the health care profession. An industry vanguard, the NACPSW keeps you informed of all the current developments and trends in the Health Care Field and Front-Line Health Care Workers. As a member, you are updated accordingly as to how these trends will affect your position as a worker.
The NACPSW represents the common interests of Certified Caregivers, PSWs, and Professional Childcare Workers. Membership with the NACPSW means you receive a comprehensive package of benefits that enhances the professional image of health Care Certified Personal Support Workers.
Certification represents knowledge and expertise. When you obtain certification, you are sending a clear message to your peers and employers: “I strive for excellence in my field.”
Many nursing and retirement homes are working with marginally trained staff. It is no secret that the big names in the geriatric health care industry recognize that they must provide quality service and feature professional staff if they hope to attract and keep clients.
Baycrest
Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care has been devoted to enriching the quality of life of the elderly in Toronto since 1918. In April 2002, the Centre launched Ontario’s first on-site training program for PSWs.
Baycrest chose NACPSW to provide accreditation to those enrolled in this program.
Baycrest selected NACPSW because they were familiar with the organization’s reputation and commitment to excellence in the field: “The [NACPSW] was established” an April 2002 Baycrest press release reads, “to promote a national curriculum and standard of training - something that hasn't existed for this profession until recently”
Presently, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care hires certified PSWs exclusively.
Gibson Long Term Care Centre (Chartwell)
Chartwell is devoted to enriching the quality of life of the elderly in Toronto. Mary Serrano Hruby RN NCA WORN, from Chartwell chose NACPSW certification to provide accreditation to those performing care at their home.
“Our organization hires only certified PSWs, there is a difference in competency, attitude and commitment. The long term care facilities need more of this type of worker. There will always be a shortage of qualified Personal Support Workers and the registry assists us in our selection process."
Mary selected NACPSW graduates from Global Care because they were familiar with the organization’s reputation and commitment to excellence in the field. Presently, many nursing homes and Geriatric Care Centres hire certified Caregivers/Personal Support Workers exclusively.
Over 5000 and Growing
Confronted with the decision of which certifying organization to choose, for many the choice was a clear and easy one: to date, over 5,000 PSWs have elected voluntarily to join the NACPSW. Membership, as stated once before, has its privileges.
The NACPSW offers over 600 Post Programs with additional studies in such diverse fields as Restorative Care, Foot Care and Palliative Care, to name but a few. To maintain professional status each Certified PSW must continue to grow their professionalism through reduced training costs provided by their Association for members.
One of the benefits to being a member is that you will receive regular newsletters keeping you informed of the current issues in the PSW industry. The health care application is a dynamic environment; changes occur often, the terrain shifts, and you need to know where you stand in the workplace. NACPSW publications deliver current information on your role as a worker in the field.
Perhaps you’re wondering what makes NACPSW PSW certification training different than that offered by other organizations. For starters, consider this: NACPSW lobbying efforts with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education have resulted in substantial changes in increased hours of PSW study and tutelage.
Setting the Standard
Community College PSW program courses entail 510 hours of study. Ministry of Health/Ministry of Education and Training guidelines require a minimum of 500 hours of training. NACPSW training standards demand 800-1000 hours of study and successful completion of the Anatomy and Physiology cornerstone program for health care.
Marguerite Thomas, Public Health Nurse, couldn’t agree more: "The professionalism and training of PSWs was demonstrated at our community forum for geriatric awareness in Grey Bruce. Certification of all PSWs is necessary for the health care environment towards screening on incompetence, abuse and neglect. Testing and follow-thru is not adequate with most training programs. There is a distinct difference in attitude and skill with properly trained front-line workers. Thank you for your dedication and training commitment towards standards that do make a difference."
Moreover, you’ll receive support from NACPSW who will act as an advocate on behalf of your individual membership. As a member participant, you’re also eligible to gain membership in other organizations.
Financial Rewards
If you’re still not convinced of the advantages of a NACPSW membership, the bottom line is membership means you’ll save money.
Consider this: as a member you’ll benefit from discounts on Professional Liability Insurance. Just how much of a discount? Non-NACPSW rates range from $1000 to $1200; As a NACPSW member you benefit from subsidies and pay roughly a quarter of what non-NACPSW members pay; your insurance costs roughly $350.
Furthermore, as soon as you become a member of the NACPSW the potential to further your education and pursue new and exciting career possibilities in the health care field immediately expands. Here’s why: as a member the cost of taking continuing education courses is roughly half of that of a non-member. There is a 40% discount on training if taken through the NACPSW membership.
NACPSW’s commitment to rigorous individual PSW training has, not surprisingly, occasioned a fundamental shift in the character of PSWs: “The huge change that I hear at the grassroots level,” observes Gail A. Acton, Executive Director of NACPSW, “is the competency and attitude of the worker in long-term care is much improved”.
So whether you’re considering a career in the health care worker field, or if you’re already a Personal Support Worker, you should look into becoming a member of the NACPSW. As you can see, membership definitely has its privileges! |
Whether you’re considering a career in the health care worker field, or if you’re already a Personal Support Worker (PSW), one subject you should be familiar with is “certification”. Certification is more than a certificate. It is a Diploma for a Vocation and Certification of excellence in study and work performance. Training varies and outcomes of the training may be less than the expected standards for caregivers and Personal Support Workers. NACPSW’s mission is to promote excellence in training health programs and services. This is done primarily through developing, implementing and maintaining the certification process. The examination of on the job skills and academic success, as well as the registry of certified caregivers/personal support workers symbolizes official recognition of excellence to the public, local community agencies, professional associations and local, regional and provincial governments.
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