Newfoundland and Labrador Report

Title(s) Used

PCA (in hospital, LTC)

HSW (Personal care homes)

Programs

College of the North Atlantic

Keyin College (Private)

Eastern College (Private)

Registry

No registry

Regulation

No regulation or discussions that I know of. Program is dictated by the government and each college delivering the program must follow the government approved program

Additional

No funded programming related to PCA but PCAs may apply for a bursary offered by the RHAs in return for service.

Have been doing online theory and in person labs off and on during pandemic. Pandemic has also affected clinical placements at times.

Scope of Practice

Varies by setting, no formal/legal Scope of Practice

Employment Prospects

Graduates are hired as Temporary call-in initially as per collective agreements but may apply for permanent positions if any are available. Hospitals are hiring for Acute and LTC. Do not need education to work as a HSW in community

Educator Group

No Regional Educator group or one in development

Challenges

  • Difficult to retain graduates in rural areas

  • Hard to find full-time employment immediately after graduation

  • Retention of students