KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS GAINED
The HSW program is designed aim to train students on required skills and knowledge for employment in the community. This program is designed to offer both in class and on job training.
As front-line workers, Home Support Workers must develop a broad range of abilities beyond dexterity skills. They must provide not only for the comfort, safety, and well-being of their clients, but also demonstrate sensitivity and respect for those in their care. The attitude, abilities and approach of the HSW are critical to the well-being and health of the people they support.
After 14 weeks of in-class training, the student is assigned to a community placement to receive on-the-job training at a designated company. Placement arrangements are made by CIMT College at an approved host facility. The hands-on training equips students with the practical knowledge to succeed in the field of their study.
THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN A HYBRID FORMAT
- Training is conducted in an online classroom and also in person at the campus for practicals and labs.
- Evaluations like Quizzes, Midterms, Exam, and some Assignments are offered in LISA. Watch the video to learn more!
- The practicum is a hands-on component which is completed onsite at an approved host facility.
- There are many hands-on components which are completed onsite at the campus.
NEXT PROGRAM START DATES
| S.ID | START DATE | END DATE | DAY | TIMING | STATUS | REGISTER |
|---|
| 6555 | May 12, 2025 | September 22, 2025 | MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI | 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM | | Register Now |
| 6556 | July 7, 2025 | October 17, 2025 | MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | | Register Now |
| 6557 | September 8, 2025 | January 23, 2026 | MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI | 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM | | Register Now |
| 6559 | November 3, 2025 | March 19, 2026 | MON, TUE, WED, THU, FRI | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | | Register Now |
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PROGRAM OUTLINE
HSW Foundations: Introduces students to an individual’s experiences, rights, interests, needs and attitudes.
Safety and Mobility: Introduces various ways the HSW can provide in assistance in a manner that is effective, safe, and provides for client comfort.
Body Systems: Introduces the individual to the basics of anatomy and physiology.
Assisting with Personal Hygiene: Introduces to the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity needed to provide appropriate assistance to a variety of people, many for whom they provide services have disabilities that affect their ability to look after their personal hygiene.
Abuse and Neglect: Introduces the HSW to the concepts of family violence and abuse, including its possible signs, as well as appropriate actions to be taken if abuse is suspected, including legal requirements.
Household Management, Nutrition and Hydration: Introduces to assisting the consumer/client with their nutritional needs, household activities, and household management according to client preferences, comfort, and safety within employer guidelines as required.
Care Planning, Restorative Care, Electronic Documentation, and Working in the Community: Introduces to build upon the ability to provide sufficient support to assist clients to do what they wish to without inhibiting them. The HSWs will indentify the appropriate support to be provided to the client, as well as the significance and need for the support.
Assisting the Dying Person: Introduces the discussion to students of the concept of dying as a part of life and the possible impact of life-threatening illness on the person and their family.
Cognitive and Mental Health Issues, and Brain Injuries: Introduces the HSW to use approaches and techniques to assist clients with these changes or conditions in keeping with the care/support plan and report observations to the appropriate team member.
Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care: A workshop designed for those who interact with older adults to fully understand behaviours in order to be able to respond effectively and appropriately in a workplace setting.
First Aid and CPR: A workshop in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills to respond to emergencies. Course meets legislation requirements for provincial worker safety and insurance boards and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines.
Soft Skills Solutions: A workshop in foundation skills which are valued in the workplace, including communication, teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking with practiced professional techniques and geared at working with a diverse population.
Practicum: Students complete a field placement of 100 hours as a part of the program. CIMT College assigns students to a community placement to gain hands-on experience before being awarded the certificate.
WHY THIS PROGRAM?
With an aging population, the opportunities for live in or visit HSWs will continue to grow. Students who enjoy helping people will relish a career offering support and care to the elderly, developmentally challenged or severely incapacitated clients. The skills learned during the certificate program equip the student with the knowledge and confidence that they will need to fit into the ever growing job market of the Home Support Worker.
ASSOCIATED NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC) CODES
After pursuing Home Support Worker, you are eligible for positions falling under the following NOC Codes
NOC - 44101 - Home support workers provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities and convalescent clients. Care is provided within the client's residence, in which the home support worker may also reside. They are employed by home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed. Housekeepers perform housekeeping and other home management duties in private households and other non-institutional, residential settings.
Common Job Titles which you can apply for include - Attendant for persons with disabilities – home care, family caregiver, home support worker, housekeeper, live-in caregiver – seniors, personal aide – home support, personal care attendant – home care, respite worker – home support.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Home Support Workers provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, convalescence or family disruption. They administer bedside and personal care to clients such as aid in ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and undressing. HSWs also plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or assist in feeding clients. Depending on their experience, HSWs may perform routine health-related duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, assisting in the administration of medications and collecting specimens under the general direction of a home care agency supervisor or nurse. HSWs also perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry, washing dishes and making beds.
If you are interested in working in a Long Term Care Facility, Click HERE to navigate to our PSW program
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Some secondary school education is usually required including a college or other courses in home support. First aid certification may be required.
Completion of a training program in care of the elderly, care of persons with disabilities, convalescent care or in a related field may be required.
EMPLOYMENT AREAS & PROSPECTS
There are numerous job opportunities for Home support workers in the community and with HSW placement agencies. Some HSWs prefer to be self-employed. There are also live-in opportunities available in Ontario.
In Person Labs, Team Campus Days, and Hands-on Training
Many courses require the physical use of handheld devices, hospital beds, scales, and healthcare equipment, even for hybrid students. In this program, there are 20 days of Lectures, Teamwork Activities, Labs and Practicals which are all completed on campus, and which require students to attend in person at the campus where they are registered.
Labs may be arranged to be 4-5 hours per day over 2 days, or one longer 8-9 hour day, at the discretion of the Campus Manager and Instructor. Hybrid Students must be prepared to travel and attend labs in either timing.