The Near North District School Board has announced the first of what it hopes will be many partnerships with long-term care facilities in the local region.
It's partnering with Cassellholme to provide Personal Support Worker training in a living classroom environment at the long-term care home. Students will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Cassellholme, then be able to apply those skills without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.
The goal is to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs and to provide people with an exciting career path.
A PSW looks after the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of someone who is not able to do so themselves, frequently in the elderly population. The main responsibilities of a PSW include ensuring the patient has healthy and nutritious meals, helping with daily tasks, and ensuring the best quality of care.
People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program.
Director of Education Craig Myles has been instrumental in seeking out opportunities for the board to provide innovative programming says a news release.
“Providing this type of opportunity is extremely important to the Near North community in that it serves adult students who need that leg up to a diploma and a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth," says Myles. "The program supports an emergent and vital need for the Near North region."
Student costs for this specialty program will be subsidized by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, Successful students will become fully qualified as a PSW, employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living, and in varied long-term care facilities.
Cassellholme has engaged employees in continued opportunities to learn as they earn and seek certification as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Nurse Practitioners (NP).
“Cassellholme is always looking for ways to be a community partner,".said Cassellholme Chair Chris Mayne. "By working with NNDSB, we can help foster a new generation of healthcare professionals which may very well be someone’s first step to a rewarding career.”
NNDSB is aiming to begin this program in the new year with registration planned for January and an expected start of February.
Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online.
"This innovative new program aligns with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships," said Board Chair Jay Aspin. "We are enthused to work in partnership with Cassellholme and Ontario Health on what looks like just the beginning of highly rewarding programming in the North.”
