Employers

Information for Employers of Personal Support Workers (PSWs)

Welcome

The Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority recognizes the valuable role that employers can play in protecting the public. Employers of Personal Support Workers working in different health care settings (i.e., Public hospitals, Long-Term-Care (LTC) Homes, Retirement Homes, and home care settings) are encouraged to use HSCPOA’s online public register of PSWs to find and ensure that PSWs that they employ are registered with HSCPOA.

Employers are encouraged to pass on information to their existing employees and to new hires, about the benefits of applying to register with HSCPOA. You can share the benefits to PSWs with those that you employ now.

Resources for Employers

Find a Registered Personal Support Worker

Benefits of Registration with HSCPOA

Quick Links

What to Expect From HSCPOA
Following consultation with relevant stakeholders across the province, including government, patient/family/caregivers, PSWs, employers, and educators, HSCPOA will
- establish the minimum requirements for registration, including education (knowledge, skills judgement) experience, and competency for PSWs and other supportive care providers.
- create regulations, by-laws, policies and practice standards as a foundation for oversight of the ethical and professional conduct of registered PSWs when providing services to the public,
- maintain a public register so clients can access information about registered PSWs and ensure they hire qualified workers.
- provide a standardised complaints system if clients have concerns about a registered PSW’s professional practice.
- provides a dispute resolution mechanism to protect the public from potential misconduct from registrants

For Employers, Care Recipients, and the Public:

Only eligible PSWs registered with HSCPOA can proudly use/wear the HSCPOA PSW Registrant ‘Visual Mark’ provided by HSCPOA, easily recognized by colleagues, employers and recipients receiving PSW supportive care services.
Easily identify registered PSWs on the HSCPOA online public register who have met minimum education and/or experience requirements and who are accountable to HSCPOA for the provision of safe, effective, and ethical care. (New to follow initial registration of PSWs)
Verify if a registrant is in good standing with HSCPOA
Access the HSCPOA complaints process if there is a concern about the supportive care services provided by an HSCPOA PSW registrant.

Personal Support Workers:

No cost to Personal Support Workers throughout 2024 that take action now, to voluntarily apply to register with HSCPOA.
Inspires confidence in care recipients that recognize the Visual Mark.
Demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and recipients of supportive care services that as a PSW registrant, newly established registration requirements have been met, including education and/or experience, and good character.
The visual mark is a symbol that:
• Represents a commitment to quality care
• Inspires confidence in PSW registrant care recipients;
• Establishes a professional identity.
Differentiates a registered PSW from an unregistered PSW care provider. Every registered PSW has a information in our HSCPOA online Public Register. Employers of PSWs and care recipients can use HSCPOA’s online register to easily find PSWs who have met the registration requirements and have ongoing accountability for the provision of safe, effective, and ethical care.
Guidance for registered PSWs as HSCPOA establishes regulations, code of ethics, and other guidance information.

How PSW Registration with HSCPOA Works

The Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA) qualifies applicants for registration as Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in Ontario.

Applying for Registration
Increased PSW recognition
Representing trust, quality, compliance.

Access through HSCPOA’s website:

Registration guide and policies
Link to an online application portal to submit application and upload supporting documents (e.g., confirmation of education/experience, criminal record check, etc.)

Applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been submitted and will be contacted if additional information or supporting documents are needed.

Once an application is complete and submitted, applicants will receive a decision on registration.

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