Herzing Blog

Updated January 2024

Inspired to begin a career in health care? Looking at your local training options?

Many students are attracted to personal support worker (PSW) training because of the direct focus on patient care, flexible work schedules, and high level of demand across Canada for PSWs. Students also like this program because it's quite short (usually less than 12 months) and is an excellent entry point for other healthcare careers, such as nursing.

Thinking you might enrol in PSW training this year? Before you sign up for a program, take some time to consider what it takes to succeed in this field, the skills you'll focus on in training, and your local job prospects.

Read on to make sure you're a good fit for the PSW career path.

Updated January 2023

There are so many factors that can influence our relationship with food as we age. For example, while caring for seniors after PSW training, you will meet patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste, making mealtime far less appealing.

Updated January 2024

Landing your first job after medical office training is a major accomplishment. But next comes the real challenge: settling into your new role, learning how the medical team likes things done, and of course, getting to know the patients you'll be working with.

It's a time of transition and learning, but also an opportunity to put into practice everything you've learned during MOA training. So what kinds of challenges can you expect to face as a freshly graduated, newly employed medical office administrator?

Take a look at five of the most common hurdles.

Updated January 2023

The vast majority of personal support workers (PSWs) in Ontario work with seniors. In fact, it's our rapidly aging population that is driving such a strong demand for PSWs across the province. The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts excellent employment opportunities for personal support workers right across Ontario.

Personal support workers play (and will continue to play) an absolutely vital role in helping Canadian seniors maintain independence and quality of life as they age.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?