Step 1: Program Application Process and Re-entry Form

GENERAL TIMELINES:

September-January Program

- Applications open mid-March-August (Waitlists open once the program is full)

- Final Acceptance- Late-August (Please note, there are no late acceptances)

- Program Starts- The second week of September

February- June Program

- Applications open mid- October -early January(Waitlists open once the program is full)

- Acceptance- Late-January (Please note, there are no late acceptances)

- Program Starts- The first week of February

Application Process:

Thank you for your interest in the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO)’s PSW Program. Due to the high level of interest, we have introduced a new, multi-step registration process to ensure that all successful applicants meet the admission requirements outlined on our website.

Step 1: Applying for a Spot- Please note. Applications for September 2025 will open March 12th, 2025.

Complete the application form: Step 1: Application for PSW Program -September 2025

Please make sure to upload all the requested documents when you complete your application form.

All applications will be reviewed for completeness and those that meet the criteria applications will advance to Step 2.

Step 2: Conditional Acceptance

Once we receive and review your completed application form, we will provide you with a link to the next step in the registration process and an application number. Please reference your application number in all correspondence as you move forward.

You will be asked to download the registration package, which includes a medical form that must be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. We recommend making an appointment as soon as possible to get this filled out. You will not be accepted into the program unless all paperwork has been completed and uploaded to your closest program site. Please note that applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Space is limited in the program and if there is no room, a waitlist will be started.

The deadline to submit Step 2 paperwork is August 8th 2025.

Step 3: Final Acceptance

After uploading all your documentation, your registration form will be reviewed by our staff, who will then reach out to schedule an entrance interview prior to the course starting. Please bring all paperwork with you to the interview. Interviews will be scheduled at the end of January or August

Keep your eye on our Facebook and website for updates on our program.

RE-ENTRY PSW STUDENTS

Students may re-enter the program if they are within a maximum of two years from their point of REGISTRATION and have achieved a minimum of one or more credits in the program. If longer than the two years, the theory portion of the program will need to be repeated; candidates should re-apply as a new student, see registration above. Registration is contingent on availability in the program. Students will be contacted a week before the start of class. Students wishing to attend the practicum portion of the program will need to ensure their Police Record Check and Medical Form is within 6 months of issue. Apply on the Re-entry Student Form.

Advanced Standing:

Advanced Standing in the PSW program is designed for individuals who already have experience working in the field of Personal Care, usually as a Health Care Worker (HCW), Home Support Worker (HSW), Health care Aide (HCA) or Unregulated Care Professional (UCP). Additionally, applicants may have been trained outside the province of Ontario.

As the CDSBEO’s Personal Support Worker Program is recognized as meeting the requirements set out by CESBA’s Quality Assurance Process, Ministry of Colleges and Universities Personal Support Worker Training Standards and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requirements, we need to identify the “gaps” to ensure that you meet the competencies and the training hours required for our program.

Please note: you need to have been working in the field within the last 2 years in order to qualify for Advanced Standing.

To qualify for Advanced Standing, complete the form below before the program start date. Our committee reviews applications every December and May and students need to be reviewed prior to beginning the program. The committee’s decision regarding eligibility for advanced standing is final. The next date the Committee meets for the September 2025 program is : _____________________

Important: Applying for Advanced Standing does not automatically enroll you in the PSW program. You must apply for the PSW program separately.

Previous Education/Training:

A.) In Ontario: (Health Care Aide, (HCA) or Home Support Worker, (HSW 1,2,3) or Previous Schooling in Ontario in a health care-related field)

Proof of Completion:

- Total number of training hours
- Breakdown of theory hours, lab hours, supervised hours, and consolidation hours
- Modules covered and the number of hours for each

Current Employment:

- Currently working in the field OR an absence of no longer than the previous 2 years

Employer Verification Letter:

- Employment setting (e.g., LTC, community, acute care)
- Length of employment
- Number of hours worked in the last 12 months
- Skills demonstration checklist completed by your supervisor, detailing your skill sets, competency level, and areas for improvement

B.) Outside of Ontario (but within Canada)

Proof of Program Completion showing:

- Total number of training hours
- Transcript showing marks (above 70% in theory concepts and above 80% in lab skills and placements)
- Breakdown of theory hours, lab hours, supervised hours, and consolidation hours
- Modules covered and the number of hours for each through the course syllabus

Current Employment:

- Currently working in the field OR an absence of no longer than the previous 2 years

Employer Verification Letter confirming:

- Employment setting (e.g., LTC, community, acute care)
- Length of employment
- Number of hours worked in the last 12 months
- Skills demonstration checklist completed by your supervisor, detailing your skill sets, competency level, and areas for improvement

C.) Internationally Trained

Proof of Completion:

- Same as in section A

Language Competency:

- Proof of language competency as per the Admission guidelines
- Completion of the CDSBEO Literacy Assessment to assess your ability to converse and study in English

Hour Recognition for Related Work Experience:

Determine the area of experience (e.g., LTC, community, hospital)

Provide the Record of Employment (ROE) proving the number of hours worked in the last 2 years or provide information from your employer as outlined in section A

Pass a lab assessment and provide the attached reference to indicate which Vocational Learning Outcomes (VLOs) have been met and to determine any gaps that need to be filled

Note:You need to complete placement in other areas (e.g., if your experience is in LTC, you would need to complete a community placement)

Other Documentation to consider:

List of current up-to-date certifications (usually within the last 6-12 months)