Personal Support Worker

Throughout the program, you will gain valuable experience in your practicum placements. You will be working with clients and families in a variety of settings and circumstances. Further, you will have many opportunities to make a positive difference in their lives.

To be able to attend these practicum experiences, you`ll need to complete the requirements listed below and bring in documents to support completion, by the expected due date identified for the program. This is necessary to have in place before practicum starts as planning begins several weeks in advance. Having your requirements completed ensures that you are able to gain the experience needed to meet the course outcomes successfully.

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• STANDARD FIRST AID  (on entrance into program)

• CPR - Basic Life Support (BLS) Level with AED,  must be for Health Care Providers (annually) - no online or blended courses are permitted
• WHMIS  training certificate valid within 1 year, upon entry into the program
• N95 MASK FIT TESTING CARD  (every 2 years), requires a clean-shaven face for appropriate fitting  (recommended: students can/should attempt to be fitted for two sizes if possible)
• CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK Level 3 VULNERABLE SECTOR SEARCH (VSS)  with  Negative  results or equivalent (annually) - should be obtained/renewed as close to the start of the academic year as possible 

if a Criminal Record is confirmed, contact Jennifer.Williamson@saultcollege.ca

IMMUNIZATIONS -  Complete required immunizations prior to the first semester of the program and submit official records, along with the "Health & Community Services Programs Immunization and Health Record Form" (available on LMS and in welcome email), to the Sault College Health Centre   Anne.Erechook@saultcollege.ca


1.    2 Step TB Skin Test or TB blood test, OR clear Chest X-ray on entrance to program

2.    1 Step TB Skin Test annually OR as needed

3.    Measles/Mumps/Rubella Series

4.    Tetanus every 10 years

5.    Chicken Pox (documented proof of immunity)

6.    Hepatitis B 

7.    Influenza - October/November annually

8.    Covid-19; 2 doses
* The Covid-19 pandemic remains a global concern. We encourage you to speak to your healthcare provider regarding the decision to be vaccinated. Please note clinical placement agencies may require evidence of vaccination prior to entry to placement. Further, they may refuse a student entry who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19. 

Clinical Placement Requirements are due as indicated:

• Personal Support Worker (3027) - Due Date - 4th week of first semester

College Contact for Clinical Requirements: Jennifer.Williamson@saultcollege.ca

Please Note:

All original placement documentation must be submitted to the appropriate college contact by the program mandated deadlines. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up-to-date placement requirement documentation (and copies) to present to faculty and/or placement agencies as required.  The College does not retain copies of any placement requirements.

Students are responsible for the full cost of obtaining placement requirements. Tuition is not refunded if access to clinical placement is denied or if proof of requirements is not submitted within the required timeframes.

Clinical Requirement Specifics:

Students should endeavor to have all of their requirements completed prior to their program start date.  If unable to obtain all requirements prior to the program start date, a list of available resources in the community can be provided.  Sault College cannot guarantee that appointment dates or course times will be available prior to identified program deadlines.

Standard First Aid, CPR - BLS, and the N95 Mask Fit Test - are offered through Sault College`s Continuing Education Department. You may also access these courses through other providers as long as they meet the clinical/placement requirement specifications.

WHMIS - The WHMIS course is available to registered students free of charge on LMS (Learning Management System). Registration takes place after mid-August and mid-December when tuition has been paid.

Two Step TB Skin Test or Blood Test - Please be advised that the Step Two TB Skin Test is available locally through Algoma Public Health, however, testing is limited. It is our suggestion that you schedule this test early so that you complete the requirements by the deadlines listed on this page for your applicable program. Algoma Public Health contact information is (705) 541-7085. In the event that Algoma Public Health is not offering TB skin testing, please contact your health care provider and watch for information regarding clinics on LMS.

Criminal Record Check Level 3 Police Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS):

For your program, a Level 3 Police Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) is required.

The laws, rules and regulations regarding the acquisition of a criminal record check and the Sault College Criminal Record Check Policy shall be enforced and applied in accordance a manner consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 and all other applicable statutes or regulations.

Why is a Police Vulnerable Sector Check necessary?
Sault College placements are bound by this policy and the policies of placement providers. Given this, the purpose of a police vulnerable sector check includes but is not limited to the following:
1. The protection of vulnerable persons;
2. The protection of the interests of students;
3. The protection of the interests of the placement agencies; and
4. The protection of the interests of the College and its employees.
Students will be advised of the process to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check during the first month of the first semester or when field placements are confirmed.
Individuals who have charges, pending charges or a criminal conviction for which record suspension has not been granted, must contact the College Contact listed above for their program. A meeting will be scheduled with the Chair to discuss their ability to participate in experiential learning in order to complete all program graduation requirements. If a student fails to disclose this information, their academic status will be adversely affective. Prospective students should know that if a criminal record exists, the student’s ability to complete the academic requirements and graduate from their program may be in jeopardy.

Student questions about the Police Vulnerable Sector Search and the submission of these documents may be made to the College Contact listed above for their program.

Please visit the Sault College Criminal Record Check Policy and procedural information located on the Student Portal. On the Student Portal, select Support Services, then select Forms and Policies.

Students must also sign a Statement of Confidentiality.

Notice to International Students:

The necessary immunizations for your program can be obtained from your home country and you will need to submit those immunization records along with the College Health Form to the Sault College Health Centre

Anne.Erechook@saultcollege.ca

All other requirements (Standard First Aid, CPR, WHMIS, N95 Mask Fit, Police Vulnerable Sector Check) must be obtained and completed after your arrival in Ontario.

As per Canadian Immigration policy, all International students completing a program with a practicum (field/clinical placement) component must obtain a Coop/Work Permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stating that they are permitted to attend practicum as an integral part of their studies. International students will not be able to attend placement without obtaining this permit.