As Ometz celebrates a special anniversary year, there is another group of individuals marking an important milestone at the agency. It has been just over a decade since Ometz launched the Personal Support Worker for Seniors program (PSW), an 18-week intensive training course for people who want to work as caregivers. We spoke with Ometz Training Coordinator Katalin Endrodi about senior care becoming a growing industry and how this unique program prepares individuals for a thriving career.

Q: What makes this program unique?

The 18-week long Personal Support Worker for Seniors program provides the participants with the amazing combination of theory (first half of the session is classroom education), and work experience (second half of the program is a stage, working under supervision in elderly residencies, drop-in-centers), that is essential for working in this field. After a successful completion of the program, students have a very high chance of finding a job quickly as an Elderly Companion (PSW).

Q: What makes a good personal support worker?

We provide the education, and the supervised stage but the one thing we cannot provide is passion. A good PSW needs to be passionate, a good listener, patient, observant and dedicated.

Q: Before leading the program, you yourself were a client of Ometz. Can you tell us about your own experience?

It was a wonderful journey. I met amazing people here from the very beginning. Besides the courses, education, and a lot of support I got at Ometz during this period, I learnt a lot about myself as well. It was a very important time for me. It was not easy sometimes, but I had to go through it, and I am happy that I did. I would not be here without the help and support I got from Ometz.

Q: What advice would you have for someone thinking about starting a career as a personal support worker?

Be patient not just with your clients, but with yourself as well. Being and becoming a PSW is an ongoing process. You will learn a lot not just in the classroom and during the stage – that is just the very beginning - but with every minute after you found a job as a PSW.

For more information on the Personal Support Worker for Seniors Program, contact Katalin Endrodi at 514-342-0000 #3498 or by email.

The Program was recently featured in the Suburban. To read the article, click here.