5 Steps for Personal Support Workers Dealing With Difficult Patients

Nov 13, 2017 1:50:42 PM

Updated January 2023

Personal support workers play a central role in the lives of their clients. They provide the assistance patients need to maintain independence, cope with debilitating medical conditions, and achieve the highest possible quality of life.

PSWs help with important everyday tasks, like administering medication, providing assistance with grooming, planning and preparing healthy meals, coordinating social activities, monitoring changes in condition, and supervising prescribed therapeutic exercises.

The PSW-patient relationship is, by definition, close and personal. And as with all close relationships, conflicts can arise.

How should PSWs deal with patients who push them away or resist help? How can you maintain professionalism and serve your client's best interests, when faced with disruptive and upsetting behavior? 

Start with these five steps. These are the approaches front-line health care providers often use when dealing with difficult patients.

Community Services Worker Careers: Working With At-Risk Youth

Oct 3, 2017 9:09:45 AM

Updated December 2023

Who exactly are "at-risk" youth? Definitions vary, but this term generally refers to young people whose health, safety, and future prospects have been seriously compromised by situations beyond their control.

These situations may include abusive home environments, mental illness, or addiction—and lead to criminal behaviour and/or dropping out of school.

Overall, at-risk youth are less likely to transition successfully into adulthood by finishing school, entering the workforce, maintaining good mental health, and becoming contributing members of their communities. Their lives are often cut short by suicide and violence, or derailed by incarceration.

Community services workers who specialize in youth work help troubled teens map out a better future and take the often challenging steps needed to get there.

Considering becoming a youth worker after CSW training? These are some of the challenges you'll be helping clients face and the special skills you'll need to counsel and support at-risk youth.

Teaching Teamwork in Early Childhood Education

Oct 3, 2017 8:49:59 AM

Collaboration doesn't always come naturally to children (or adults, for that matter!) But that's what the preschool or daycare classroom is really all about: teaching kids how to learn those communication and teamwork skills that each of us needs to thrive, both in school and in life.

Life as a Payroll Clerk: Pros, Cons & Job Outlook in Canada

Sep 27, 2017 10:59:53 AM

Updated December 2023

Considering training for a job in payroll? Wondering what it's really like to work in this field and how strong your job prospects are? You've come to the right place!

In this post, we're focusing on everything payroll-related, from training requirements to typical workplace pros and cons to the latest job market stats across Canada.

PSW Career Support: Coping With the Death of a Client

Sep 25, 2017 11:24:55 AM

Updated January 2023

Death and dying are everyday realities for personal support workers. Many PSWs care for seniors in their homes, or in long-term care facilities, where an estimated 20 per cent of residents pass away each year.  

PSWs often provide end-of-life care, where they specialize in helping clients (and their families) with life's final transition. But despite all of this direct experience, personal support workers still struggle with loss when a client dies.

Helpdesk Meltdowns: How Computer Support Techs Handle Irate Clients

Sep 21, 2017 11:33:29 AM

Updated December 2023

Ever felt so fed up with an uncooperative piece of technology that you wanted to just crush it, toss it, or scream in frustration? We've all been there. And in many ways, this kind of experience is inevitable.

We're totally reliant on technology, but most of us have minimal (or zero) knowledge of how our most trusted systems and devices actually work! When things go wrong, it doesn't take long for panic to set in, particularly if you need that piece of tech for work.

Medical Office Administration VS Business Admin: Which to Choose?

Sep 13, 2017 11:38:40 AM

Updated January 2024

Naturally drawn to working in an office environment? Feel you would do well in a structured setting where organizational, communication, customer service, and teamwork skills are highly valued?

Let's say you're also interested in a career where you can help others and feel that you're actually contributing something positive to your community. If you're pulled in this direction, it's quite possible that you're torn between a medical office and business office admin program.

After all, these work settings (and training paths) have quite a lot in common. Which one will ultimately suit you best and be most rewarding?

Health Care Aide Skills List: 10 Hard & Soft Skills Every HCA Needs

Aug 30, 2017 10:10:05 AM

Updated March 2023

Considering becoming a health care aide (HCA)? The personalized support HCAs offer patients makes this career path particularly rewarding—and increasingly important.

As Canada's population ages, demand for in-home and daily health care support is on the rise. But working as a health care aide is challenging. It takes resilience, physical and emotional stamina, and a clear understanding of how to provide safe and effective patient care.

Read on to discover 10 of the most important hard and soft skills you'll need to succeed in this career.

Taking PSW Training? 4 Facts You Should Know About OPSWA

Aug 28, 2017 10:31:37 AM

Updated January 2023

Enrolled in PSW training and nearing the end of your diploma? It's likely you're looking ahead to your employment options after graduation, and for support systems to help get your career rolling.

If you live in Ontario, you've probably heard of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association—OPSWA.  It's an organization new grads and experienced PSWs can join to get professional support, and push for greater recognition for PSWs across the province.

But what exactly does OPSWA do, how might you benefit from joining the network, and what does it take to get a membership?

5 Questions You'll Face at a Business Admin Job Interview (+ Answers)

Aug 16, 2017 8:20:19 AM

Updated December 2023

Prospective employers want to learn a number of things about you during a business admin job interview.

They'll be considering your personality and how you'd fit with the team, your technical skills, your experience in similar roles, your trustworthiness, and of course, the "soft" skills that are so important in business admin—communication, organization, problem solving, etc.

How will they get to the heart of your qualifications and overall suitability for the job? By asking questions. A lot of questions!

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