A PSW registry has opened in Ontario.
While there have been previous attempts to register PSWs practising in the province, this is the first time the government has used legislation to set the regulatory framework of the designating body.
The group responsible for the registry is the Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority (HSCPOA).
HSCPOA was tasked with:
- Creating a searchable database of registered PSWs in the province;
- Setting registration requirements;
- Establishing the code of ethics that registrants must follow to remain in good standing, and
- Setting out a disciplinary process to be followed if the code is violated.
To date, registration is voluntary, and many employers, such as hospitals, retain the discretion to decide whether to require PSWs to register.
Unifor is concerned about HSCPOA.
- Registration requirements
Our primary concerns centre on the registration requirements for long-service PSWs. A temporary pathway to registration is available to PSWs who completed their education before July 1, 2014, or who have not completed formal education but have substantial work experience in the field.
This ‘grand-parented’ pathway is open until December 1, 2027. Once closed, PSWs will need to return to school and complete an approved program to register under one of the remaining pathways.
We encourage all PSWs to visit the HSCPOA website to learn more.
- Free, for now
While registration and the annual renewal process is currently free, the union is concerned that PSWs will be required to pay in the near future.
- Disciplinary process lacks PSW representation and is unclear
Currently, there are no PSWs on the disciplinary panel to adjudicate disputes and it’s not known which measures would be taken if discipline were imposed. For this reason, Unifor holds that the current disciplinary process outlined in the legislation is disturbing.
Why are ‘grand-parented’ pathways important for PSWs?
The “grand-parented” pathway is particularly important for PSWs working in long-term care facilities following a series of amendments to the Fixing Long-Term Care Act that have imposed stricter requirements on home operators.
The Act states that to be a qualified PSW, a person must have acquired their formal qualifications in Ontario on or after July 1, 2014 (or an out-of-province equivalent).
If not, PSWs who would need to be ‘grand-parented’. Meaning that those who obtained their qualifications before July 1, 2014 or have no formal education but substantial experience in the field, must register with HSCPOA before December 1, 2027, or they cannot work as a PSW in a long-term care home.
Some long-term care employers have made registration before the deadlines specified in the Act mandatory, requiring PSWs to register to remain employed at the home.
Let us know if your workplace mandates you to join the registry.
If your employer has provided notice that it will require PSWs to register, please contact your National Representative for guidance on the next steps.
In the meantime, Unifor will continue to advocate for changes to the current registry and will keep you up to date on any important developments.