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  • Superintendent: Heather Gerber
  • Principal: Jennifer Lentz
  • Vice-Principal: Lisa Smith (Online Day School)
  • Trustee: Chris Cummings
    • PSW Program » PSW Advanced Standing

    PSW Advanced Standing

    Advanced Standing in the PSW program is designed for individuals who have trained or 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). 

     

    We endeavor to provide as much recognition to you, as someone who may have previous education, training and/or work experience that could be used to be exempted from certain modules or reduce the number of placement hours you may need to complete in order to obtain your PSW certification.

     

    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 that the knowledge you do have or any “gaps” to ensure that you meet the competencies and the training hours required for our program.

    Please note: to qualify for advanced standing, you must have worked in the field for at least two years.

     

    To qualify for Advanced Standing, please submit your intention to apply to [email protected] and provide an overview of your previous schooling and/or experience. We will reach out with the documents you are required to have completed. 

     

    All students applying for Advanced Standing must be assessed before the program start date. Our committee reviews applications every December and May/June . The committee’s decision regarding eligibility for advanced standing is final.

     

    The next date for the Advanced Standing Committee Meeting for the September 2025 program is: Monday, June 2nd and all applicants will be notified of the decision by June 16th, 2025. All documentation is required to be received prior Monday June 2nd to be considered, 

     

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

    Here is what will be required to be assessed for Advanced Standing: 

     

    For those who have Previous Education/Training: 

     

    1.) 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, please provide the following documents: 
    1. Proof of Program Completion including:
      • 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
    2. Proof of Current Employment:
      • Currently working in the field OR an absence of no longer than the previous 2 years
    3. 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 
    2.) Outside of Ontario (but within Canada) 
    1. Proof of Program Completion including:
      • 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
        B. Current Employment:
      • Currently working in the field OR an absence of no longer than the previous 2 years
        C. 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 will need to complete placement in other areas (e.g., if your experience is in LTC, you would need to complete a community placement) regardless of your hours of experience
     
    Other Documentation to consider:
    List of current up-to-date certifications (within the last 6-12 months)
     
     
    To qualify for Advanced Standing, please submit your intention to apply to [email protected] and provide an overview of your previous schooling and/or experience. We will reach out with the documents you are required to have completed.