The Living Classroom Personal Support Worker initiative is coming to Arnprior.
Jennifer Powley, VP Seniors Care, Long Term Care & Community Programs at Arnprior Regional Health says the new Provincial initiative is a perfect fit locally.
Audio PlayerThe application for the new PSW Partnership originated with ARH.
Audio PlayerPowley notes that for Willis, the partnership marks a return to familiar terrain.
Audio PlayerShe says students in the Valley won’t need to commute to Ottawa for in-person components of the program.
Audio PlayerThe ARH VP for Seniors Care, Long Term Care & Community Programs says a minimum of ten students will need to sign up for the Living Classroom to be offered locally.
Audio PlayerThis 30-week hybrid program will see students studying online for the theory portion of their coursework and attending in-person skills sessions at the Old Grove building in Arnprior. The 8-week clinical placement portion will take place at the new Grove Long-Term Care Home.
Besides the convenience aspects of the training, there are monetary incentives offered to take part.
Audio PlayerStudents can receive up to $5,440 during their clinical placement, and graduates will receive $10,000 in exchange for a 12-month commitment to a long-term care (LTC) facility as part of an incentive from Ontario Health.
For students who meet employment requirements, a job at ARH will be waiting for them when they graduate. This program will give a much-needed boost to the staffing crisis in LTC.
Audio Playerhttps://williscollege.com/psw-living-classroom-arnprior/
The first class will start on June 10th, 2024.
Once students have successfully completed the program and meet the employment requirements, ARH offers guaranteed, immediate employment.
There is an article with more information and direct quotes from stakeholders here:
By Rick Stow