CPR Requirements for Personal Support Workers (PSWs) – Ottawa
Personal Support Workers (PSWs) work directly with seniors, medically fragile individuals, and clients who require ongoing care. Because of the high responsibility in these roles, Ottawa employers and PSW programs require valid Standard First Aid with CPR / AED Level C and in some cases BLS (Basic Life Support).
At First Aid Connect:
- Our Standard First Aid (SFA) is Canadian Red Cross certified and valid for 3 years, fully WSIB compliant.
- Our BLS is offered through Heart & Stroke or the Canadian Red Cross, making it suitable for any healthcare requirement, including Paramedicine, ACLS, PALS, Nursing placements, and hospital-based roles.
We also offer a same-day combined course, allowing PSWs to complete Standard First Aid + BLS together in one session.
Why CPR & First Aid Are Essential for PSWs
PSWs frequently respond to real medical emergencies involving vulnerable populations. Training prepares PSWs to manage:
- Cardiac arrest
- Breathing and airway emergencies
- Choking during meals
- Falls and fractures
- Sudden illness or loss of consciousness
- Diabetic emergencies
- Seizures
- Anaphylaxis or allergic reactions
This makes CPR and First Aid a core requirement for all PSW positions.
What CPR Level Do PSWs Need in Ontario?
The most common requirement is:
This includes:
- Adult, child, and infant CPR
- AED use
- Multi-rescuer CPR
- Choking response
- Medical & traumatic emergency management
- Environmental emergencies
Our Standard First Aid program is Canadian Red Cross certified, WSIB accredited, and valid for 3 years.
This is required for:
- Long-term care PSWs
- Retirement home PSWs
- Home-care caregivers
- Assisted living staff
- Community health PSWs
- PSW college placements
When Do PSWs Need BLS (Basic Life Support)?
While CPR C is enough for most PSW roles, some employers and programs require:
BLS is a more advanced, clinically focused CPR program used in healthcare environments.
PSWs may need BLS if they work in:
- Hospitals (Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton, CHEO)
- Sub-acute or transitional care units
- Palliative care units
- Rehabilitation or stroke units
- Specialized long-term care floors
- Assisted living units with medical monitoring
PSW students may need BLS if:
- Their program has hospital placements
- Their college recommends BLS for clinical experience
- They plan to bridge into Nursing, Paramedic, MOA, RPN/RN programs
Our BLS courses are accepted everywhere because they are offered through
Heart & Stroke or the Canadian Red Cross, making them valid for:
- Paramedicine
- ACLS
- PALS
- Hospital employment
- Medical school prerequisites
- Any advanced healthcare pathway
Our Combined SFA + BLS One-Day Course
For PSWs who need both, we offer:
This package:
- Completes all PSW requirements in one day
- Includes both SFA (valid 3 years) + BLS (valid 1 year)
- Saves time for students balancing placement and coursework
- Ensures full compliance with employer and school standards
PSWs may also register for each course individually:
Renewal Requirements for PSWs
Many employers require PSWs to renew BLS annually, especially in hospital or high-acuity settings.
Ottawa-Specific Requirements
PSWs in Ottawa need valid CPR & First Aid for:
- Long-term care homes
- Retirement residences
- Home-care agencies
- Assisted living programs
- Community support organizations
- Hospital support roles
- College placements (Algonquin, private PSW programs)
All accept Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid and Red Cross/Heart & Stroke BLS certifications.
Where To Take PSW CPR & First Aid in Ottawa
First Aid Connect offers:
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