PERSONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST COURSE - also Personal Care Attendant

Personal Support Specialists are in high demand in a fast growing field due to the increase in needs for an aging population. For individuals needing a little extra assistance, hiring a Personal Support Specialist could mean the difference between remaining in familiar surroundings and moving to an assisted living facility. Personal Support Specialist make it possible for their clients to remain in their homes when they might otherwise need to enter care facilities. Most personal support specialists work with elderly or disabled people who need more extensive care than family or friends can provide. Some help discharged hospital patients who have relatively short-term needs.

In home health care agencies, a registered nurse, physical therapist, or social worker usually assigns specific duties and supervises Personal Support Specialists. Support Specialists keep records of services performed and the patients' condition and progress. They report changes in patients' conditions to a supervisor or case manager.

People working in the related occupation Personal Support Specialists focus on the household duties of clients; personal care attendants concentrate on health-related care. Personal Support Specialists may also advise families with problems involving such things as nutrition, cleanliness, and household utilities. Personal Support Specialists may change bed linens, prepare meals, and help with bathing, dressing, and grooming. They can administer medication under the direction of a doctor or nurse. They may also check pulse, temperature, and respiration; help with simple prescribed exercises; and help patients move about their homes. Occasionally, they change nonsterile dressings, give massages and alcohol rubs, or assist with braces and artificial limbs. Experienced Personal Support Specialists also may assist with medical equipment, such as ventilators, which help patients breathe.

HOME HEALTH CARE AIDE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Personal Support Specialist is offered in a classroom setting only. Classes will be held twice a week for 2 1/2 hours totally 5 hours per week.
*2 chapters of reading and workbooks per week
*Minimum 5 hours per week on learning and demonstrating physical skills
*1 class of CPR & First Aid instruction and certification
Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate from the school and a State Certified Personal Support Specialist.

TEXTBOOKS SUPPLIED FOR THIS COURSE
Syllabus based on Home Care Aide book and Workbook by Mosby, Joan Birchenall and Eileen Streight.

REFUND POLICY
1. You may terminate the Enrollment Agreement or training at any time. If you do so, you must inform THE SCHOOL, NOT THE INSTRUCTOR, in writing. Termination will become effective upon receipt of the written notice, REFUND WILL BE BASED ON NOTIFICATION week corresponding with your course assignments/week associated with start date of the program.
2. If you terminate within three days of enrolling, provided you have not commenced training, you will receive a refund of money paid to the school, minus $150 for course books. The $150.00 application fee is nonrefundable. If all materials are returned unused, only the application fee will be subtracted.
3. If you terminate within the first 3 weeks, you will receive a pro rata refund equal to the unused portion of monies received from your last day of attendance, or week corresponding with your course assignment, less the application fee of $150.00, and the book fee of $150.
4. If you terminate any time after week 3, there will be no refund. If you are paying a payment plan, the balance will be effective as of drop date, 30 days to pay in full or sent to collections.

SCHOOL CALENDAR
You must submit your enrollment form before entering the program. The program is 5 hours per week for 16 weeks and will finish on the 16th week unless of holiday/weather interference.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
All applicants must be 18 years of age. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is also required. Must also have proof or get a TB skin test before clinical time.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Due to the intensity of this course the attendance policy set forth by Transcription Associates is strongly enforced. A student may only miss 2 lectures per semester or will have to make up that time the next time the course is offered.
OUR GOAL: NO STUDENT LEFT BEHIND.