Program learning outcomes outline what Mohawk's graduates need to know and be able to do after they complete this program.

Initially, most program learning outcomes were developed by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) in consultation with employers and educators. Now, they are reviewed and updated during program review, in consultation with employers, graduates, and current students.

If you want to find out more about MTCUs Published College Program Standards Click Here

Vocational Standards

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies,procedures and guidelines.
2. Practice professionally, and be accountable for one's own actions by applying problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as a member of a team.
3. Practice as an engaged member of the interprofessional team to maintain collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, responsive and competent client-centred care within care settings.
4. Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows the plan of care.
5. Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting, and respectful partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies,confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
6. Identify relevant client information within the roles and responsibilities of the personal support worker using observation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills to report and document findings.
7. Create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others by implementing current infection prevention and control measures, emergency and first aid procedures, and best practices in pandemic planning that are in keeping with the plan of care, all applicable legislation, and employer policies and procedures.
8. Assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts,common alterations in functioning, health promotion, disease prevention,rehabilitation and restorative care, and holistic health care.
9. Assist the client with medication following the client's plan of care, and if a delegated act, under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer policies.
10. Assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort, safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
11. Assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
12. Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse, and/or neglect, as required by all applicable legislation, including the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and as required within the employers' job description for the personal support workers.
13. Assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and to their families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients’ choices and the plan of care.
14. Provide client-centered and client-directed care to individuals experiencing various mental health illness and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments, and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.

Essential Employability Skills

All graduates with the following Ontario College credentials, Ontario College Certificate, Ontario College Diploma and Ontario College Advanced Diploma, must be able to reliably demonstrate Essential Employability Skills in a combination of the following 11 skill areas:

1. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
2. Respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
3. Execute mathematical operations accurately.
4. Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
6. Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
7. Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
8. Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems and contributions of others.
9. Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.
10. Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
11. Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions and consequences.

Find out more about Essential Employability Skills here.