You enjoy working with seniors and have plenty of experience providing companionship and assistance. Whether you work in a family home, in a long-term care facility, or for a live-in care agency, you are committed to the care of older people. So where do you take your healthcare support career from here?
Completing training and getting certifications are pivotal steps towards enhancing the level of care you’re able to provide. Additional training and certifications can also open doors to more niche positions, such as working in palliative care or with people who have dementia. If you’re serious about a part-time or full-time career as a healthcare worker, moving forward with your training can not only help set you apart from other care providers, but can also help you to meet eligibility requirements for a broader range of jobs.
Before searching for training, check with local, provincial, or federal agencies to see what the minimum requirements are for working in healthcare support in your area. Bear in mind that some kinds of healthcare work will require you to register with a professional organization or pass a certification exam, and that these requirements may vary by province. In British Columbia, for instance, Health Care Assistants must register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (BCCACHWR) in order to work in public hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Ready to start looking for additional training and certifications? Here are a few healthcare support worker courses to consider when working with seniors. Cost ranges are based on the specific programs listed in each section and may vary for other courses.
1. Home Support Worker (HSW), Home and Community Support Worker (HCSW), or Health Care Assistant (HCA) training
There are a lot of options out there for HSW, HCSW, and HCA training. In these programs, you may learn about topics including body systems, care planning, assisting in some activities of daily living (ADLs), and navigating relationships with clients and families. You may also earn certification in first aid or safe food handling as part of your program.
Where to get training:
Look for courses offered at community colleges, vocational schools, or NACC-recognized career colleges. You’ll find many options for in-person training, like the Home Support Worker Certificate Program at the CLI College of Business Health & Technology in Ontario or the Home Support Worker program at Eastern College in Atlantic Canada. If you live in a province where HSWs or HCAs may be required to register with a professional organization, make sure that you choose a course that’s recognized by that organization. In British Columbia, for example, consider BCCACHWR-recognized options like the Health Care Assistant program at Vancouver Community College or the Health Care Assistant Certificate at Okanagan College.
Some provinces or programs offer financial aid that can cover the full cost of your HSW or HCSW training, and in some cases you may be eligible for paid work placements during your training—so make sure that you do your research before you choose a course!
Cost:
$0 to about $3000, depending on the program you choose and the financial aid available.
2. Personal Support Worker (PSW) certification
As a PSW, you’ll learn valuable knowledge and skills that will allow you to expand your caregiving role to include helping clients with bathing, getting dressed, and eating. PSW training can prepare you for roles in various healthcare settings, such as nursing facilities, hospice care, rehabilitation hospitals, etc. This training can also be a pathway to more advanced study, such as Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs.
Where to get training and certification:
PSW diplomas are available through community colleges, vocational schools, and career colleges. You’ll find a range of options for getting your diploma. Some schools, like Confederation College in Ontario, offer both part-time and full-time options. You may also be able to enrol in a shorter or accelerated program if you’ve already completed training like an HSW or HCA course. If you’re interested in working while you complete your PSW certification, you might consider an option like the PSW program at SE Health, which includes paid employment after the first four weeks of study. Depending on your province, you may also be eligible for financial aid or free tuition.
Cost:
$0–$4000, depending on location, institution, and curriculum.
3. First aid and emergency care
Most healthcare support workers have training in CPR and basic first aid, but you can add to your toolkit with additional courses. These courses can prepare you to treat simple cuts, burns, and bruises, teach you how to manage larger medical emergencies until the emergency services arrive, and even provide you with skills to deal with mental health crises.
Where to get training and certification:
The Red Cross is one of the best places to go for a wide range of emergency and medical training, ranging from basic Emergency First Aid & CPR classes to extensive Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training. They also offer certification in psychological first aid—including a self-care course that can give you strategies to ensure that you’re managing stress and looking after yourself. St. John Ambulance offers a similar range of training courses.
You may also find some basic emergency training through your local emergency services or fire station; some hold free events for the public. If you work for an agency, this sort of training should be provided on a regular basis.
Cost:
$0-$1600, depending on course type.
4. Hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care
Part of caring for seniors may include watching them become ill or reach the end of their life. Additional training or certification can help you navigate this emotional time—or can prepare you to shift into a longer-term role that focuses on hospice and palliative care.
Where to get training and certification:
Pallium Canada offers a range of online and in-person training courses, like LEAP Core, that can help you to learn more about working with patients who are in the last phase of their lives. The Learning Hub hosted by the Canadian Virtual Hospice offers online courses and modules that deal with grief and long-term care. Their Living My Culture site also provides resources that can help you provide culturally informed end-of-life care for clients of many backgrounds.
The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) offers a range of palliative care courses for caregivers and healthcare workers. The PACE (Palliative Care Education) program offers training specifically for PSWs.
If you want to train for more specialized work in hospice or palliative care, consider a certificate course from a community college or career college. Some of these courses, like the Palliative Care certificate at Seneca College, offer flexible options for in-person, online, or hybrid study. Some options, like the Palliative Care certificate offered by Durham College, also include field placement.
It’s also worth checking with inpatient hospice units for end-of-life care training opportunities. Hospice care providers in this setting are well-placed to answer your questions and provide resources for what can be the hardest times in your healthcare support work.
Cost:
$0–$160 for general professional development modules and courses. Tuition for certificate programs offered by community colleges and career colleges may range from around $2500 to $3000.
5. Memory care training
Memory care training provides skills for healthcare workers whose clients or patients have dementia, which is an umbrella term that refers to impairments in memory, language, and other faculties that interfere with a person’s capacity to live their life normally.
Where to get training:
The Alzheimer Society of Canada provides online professional development resources, including webinars and e-learning modules, on dementia for healthcare workers. You can find a list of these courses, and related resources from some of their partner organizations, here. The U-First!® program operated by Toronto Alzheimer Society also offers certification programs in dementia and dementia care, including a program specifically designed for healthcare providers.
The Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences+ (CRADLE+) project at Conestoga College offers a free five-module online course for healthcare support workers. This course allows you to explore care strategies for people with dementia through five real-world case studies.
Cost:
Prices vary, but many of the online training sessions for dementia care and memory care are free of charge. Certification through the U-First!® Advanced program costs $85.
6. Training for specific conditions and needs
Do you have patients who have specific medical conditions or needs beyond ADLs? Taking continuing education classes in these areas can help you better provide for patients, as well as appeal to families struggling with the same needs.
Where to get training:
National bodies and charities for specific disabilities or illnesses are good places to start when seeking more information, additional training and certification, or relevant resources about certain conditions.
Parkinson Canada offers free webinars and other resources on their website.
The Alzheimer Society offers resources and training on caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers.
Diabetes Canada offers a range of tools and resources for healthcare providers on their website.
Cost:
Online resources from these organizations are often free.
Education doesn’t have to be expensive—but make sure it’s legitimate
Your continuing education in healthcare support work doesn’t have to be formal or expensive. Your training can range from reading library books (check out ones on ageing, health issues, and providing care) to online classes, which are often more affordable and flexible than in-person classes.
But before you choose any course or program, make sure it’s accredited and legitimate. Ensure the certification is recognized by agencies and families—and, most importantly, by health authorities, professional organizations, and official registries in your province. If you’re unsure about a certificate or diploma program, consult a resource like the Government of Canada list of designated educational institutions or contact the department responsible for higher education accreditation in your province. You can also search for testimonials and reviews from previous students to see if they’ve had a positive experience with the program or school.