Across Canada, social-care organisations are seeing an increasing demand for personal support workers. These members of staff provide frontline support in giving vital care to the sick, disabled and elderly. As the Canadian health service continues to undergo restructuring, even more of these positions are expected to become available.
Usually, the personal support worker performs their duties under the supervision of a registered practical nurse or a registered nurse. These roles are offered by hospitals and care homes, while those providing care at home tend to work unregulated. Many jobs require a PSW certificate, but it is not always mandatory to work in this job.
Those working as a personal support worker should be confident and assertive, while showing empathy and compassion when necessary. Full-time positions tend to pay between C
$22,000 and C
$26,000, but part-time work is the norm in many instances. In this case, part-time workers can earn anything from C
$8 an hour, up to as much as C
$16, depending on the environment.