A Day in the Life of a Personal Support Worker: Outlining what to expect while on the job

Becoming a Personal Support Worker (PSW) is a great career choice that is a very involved career with strangely a mix of traits to adapt to its work, which includes compassion, detail-focused, and physically strong. For individuals with a passion for assisting others and making a difference in people's lives, a PSW career represents the chance to take care of those who need it the most. But what, exactly, does a Personal Support Worker do every day? At NorthBridge College, our students are well equipped for this significant profession with our comprehensive PSW Certificate program where students acquire the skills that will enable their success in a quickly moving impactful work environment.

In this blog, we are going to take a better look at a typical day life of a Personal Support Worker, illuminating on the major tasks and duties that PSWs deal with like caring about patients, aiding their mobility, and providing emotional support.

Morning Routine: Starting the Day with Compassion

A Personal Support Workers Day often starts early in the morning, especially if he or she works in a long-term care facility or offers home care services. Nursing assistants will typically work in healthcare buildings such as care homes or hospitals and will have working shifts from 7 AM or earlier.

One of the first things in the morning is checking on patients and making sure they are comfortable. For a PSW, this means:

• Helping with Personal Hygiene: Helping with Personal Hygiene: This may include helping patients with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, brushing teeth, and dressing. Many patients, particularly those who are elderly or those who have just had surgery, may require assistance with personal grooming.
• Meal Preparation and Feeding: PSWs support patients who are having difficulty eating food by helping them with preparing and feeding. This is especially important for those with mobility problems or conditions such as dementia which may make it difficult for them to feed themselves.
• Checking Vital Signs: Checking Vital Signs: Depending on the setting, PSWs may be tasked with monitoring basic health indicators such as temperature, pulse or blood pressure. This makes sure that any changes in a patient's health will be detected early, and they can be reported to medical personnel.

While conducting these tasks, PSWs render much-needed physical care, but also emotional support. Morning time can often be a time of anxiety or discomfort for many patients and a caring touch and words of reassurance from the PSW can make all the difference.

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Mid-Morning: Supporting Mobility and Managing Tasks

After ensuring that the patients are comfortable and good care is taking place, the PSW continues to aid in moving the patients and other physical care tasks.

• Helping with Mobility: Many patients, especially the elderly, have a limited mobility. A major component of the PSW's role is helping those patients get from their beds to chairs, walkers or wheelchairs. PSWs make sure that the patient's movement is safe and do not cause the patient to fall or get hurt, and provide emotional support during this transition.
• Changing Positions and Preventing Bedsores: For patients who spend a lot of time in a bed the PSW is responsible for changing their positions on a regular basis to prevent pressure ulcers (bedsores) from developing. This treatment process involves paying close attention to patient comfort and safety.
• Administering Medication: In some healthcare settings, PSWs may be required to administer medication, such as ordinary painkillers or vitamins. This requires an understanding of medication schedules and making sure patients receive the correct amount of that medicine at the correct time.
• Engaging in Light Housekeeping or Meal Prep: In the settings of home care, PSWs also prepare meals; and also aid in light housekeeping tasks. This may include gentle cleaning, making sure the patient's living space is clean, and preparing food to ensure that patients have healthy eating options at home.

Afternoon: Emotional Support and Ongoing Care

In the afternoon, the role of a Personal Support Worker changes slightly. Over time, however, physical activities such as mobility aid and reminders for medications are replaced by an upsurge in emotional need.

• Providing Companionship: One of the most rewarding parts of being a PSW is the relationship that you create emotionally with patients. Many elderly people, particularly those in long-term care facilities or those living alone, feel isolated. PSWs play an essential role to provide companionship, offer conversation, play games, or simply quality time with the patient. This social emotional support is a driving factor to uphold mental wellbeing and health.
• Assisting with Therapeutic Exercises: Depending on the condition of the patient, the PSW may help carry out light physical therapy exercises. Prescribed by physiotherapists, these hacks keep muscles strong, ensure stiffness is not experienced and there is an improved range of movement. PSWs make sure that the patients complete these exercises properly and safely, encouraging them along the way.
• Documenting Care and Monitoring Changes: PSWs must be able to record any change in a patient's condition, which is then documented and shared with the healthcare team. For example, if a patient starts exhibiting discomfort, tiredness or any kind of behavioral change, the PSW can enter data to describe the patient's changing condition and alert nurses or physicians.

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Evening: Preparing for Bed and Wrapping Up the Day

As the day is coming to an end, the Personal Support Worker role persists. Many PSWs work night shifts, taking care of patients at hospitals or long-term care facilities, where the care needed is constant day and night.

• Preparing Patients for Bed: One of the major tasks of the evening includes preparing patients for bed. This may involve helping with bathing, putting them to change into their night clothes and making sure that they are comfortable in bed. Personal Service Workers (PSWs) assist patients with their night-time routines to make sure they are settled and ready to sleep.
• Assisting with Medication: Some patients will be required to take medications in the evening. PSWs can assist with administering these medications as prescribed and making sure that the patient's care plan is being followed.
• Providing Final Emotional Support: The end of the day is another important time for emotional support. A PSW can be with a patient, say a comforting word, or just make sure that the patient is settled and ready to sleep. This last thing is especially important for patients battling mental health issues, anxiety, or depression.
• End-of-Shift Handover: As the end of the day falls, the PSWs give a detailed handover to the oncoming shift PSW. This includes providing valuable information about the patient's condition, any changes observed, and any other relevant details. Good communication ensures that the patient continues to get the best possible care.

The Emotional and Physical Challenges of Being a PSW

Throughout the day Personal Support Workers are confronted with both emotional and physical difficult circumstances. The role entails any emotion of empathy, patience and resilience. PSWs can expect to be on their feet for long hours of time, helping patients up and down, lifting, and physically caring for patients. Also, it can be emotionally demanding as PSWs work closely with individuals who may be facing challenges related to chronic illnesses, dementia, and end-of-life situations.

However, the rewards of the job are huge. In addition to supporting their patients, PSWs also become an important source of comfort and support for families who depend on them for care.

Conclusion

A day in the life of a Personal Support Worker is active, rewarding and sometimes challenging. From helping with physical needs, mobility and offering emotional support, PSWs are key in improving the lives of their patients. At NorthBridge College, our Personal Support Worker Certificate program prepares students for a role at the front lines of their local community and trains them to offer quality care.

If you're thinking of getting into a career as a Personal Support Worker, you should know that each day on the job will be a chance to make a significant difference in someone's life. By enrolling to take PSW Certificate program, you can take the first step toward thinking of rewarding career in the healthcare sector - a career where you'll help individuals live with dignity, comfort and care.

Connect with our admissions team at NBBT College and start your path toward a fulfilling PSW career.