Conestoga news

December 1, 2020 4:09 PM

Partnership between Conestoga and ParaMed addresses health-care needs in eastern Ontario

Conestoga College and ParaMed are working in partnership to deliver training and help address the critical need for Personal Support Workers to serve the care needs of those in the Champlain region in eastern Ontario.

Beginning in January 2021, students will have to opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge required to launch their health-care careers through the completion of a 20-week PSW FAST-ONSITE program delivered online by Conestoga instructors, with clinical placements provided by local health-care organizations.  

“ParaMed is pleased to partner with Conestoga College to grow the valued health care workforce serving patients throughout the Champlain region,” said Ali Mir, Vice President ParaMed Operations. “ParaMed’s investment in the Personal Support Worker - FAST program will make training available to students at no cost, connecting them with a streamlined path to join the health care system and provide home and community care to patients in need.”

Following completion of the 20-week course, 30 students will be able to join the dedicated ParaMed care teams throughout Ottawa and the surrounding region, and will begin serving clients as early as June 2021.

Communities across Ontario have experienced an ongoing shortage of qualified health-care workers, a situation which has become more acute since the onset of the pandemic. Partnerships such as the one between ParaMed and Conestoga are designed to help address critical care needs by increasing access to education and training. 

“We greatly appreciate ParaMed’s commitment to supporting health-care education and training in the local community,” said Dr. Veronique Boscart, Executive Dean of Conestoga’s School of Health and Life Sciences. “We look forward to working in partnership to address the region’s care needs through this innovative education initiative. 

For more information on the PSW program at Conestoga College, contact PSWinfo@conestogac.on.ca

For more information on how to apply with ParaMed, contact pswtraining@paramed.com

Personal Support Workers provide supportive, person-centered care to individuals and families in a variety of care environments including long-term, community care and hospital settings. Conestoga's Personal Support Worker program prepares students to become preferred graduates for the profession, which truly makes a difference in the lives of others.