As detailed in the National Occupational Standard (NOS) for Personal Care Providers developed by Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan) in consultation and collaboration with sector stakeholders, “personal care providers work in a variety of care environments including home care, community, and healthcare settings. As valuable members of the healthcare team, they provide personal support and assistance with activities of daily living and other services for clients with varying degrees and types of illnesses and or disabilities across the lifespan. Using a person-centred approach, personal care providers work in partnership with the client and their health care team by holistically supporting the client’s physical, psychological, social, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual needs.

“Personal care providers enter the workforce with competencies that are transferable across care settings. Their hands-on skills and experience may vary depending on employment settings and client diversity. Ongoing training and education are important to maintain competence.”

As noted within the NOS “there are a variety (over 60+) of occupational titles which include, but are not limited to, personal support worker, health care aide, health care assistant, resident care worker, continuing care assistant, home support worker, personal care attendant, home and continuing care worker, residential care worker, home care assistants, special care home worker, and patient care worker.”