What Can You Do with a Community Support Worker Diploma?
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May 3, 2019
4 min
In This Article
Congratulations on deciding to take the next step in becoming your career as a community support worker. With any decision, comes many questions. The main question being, what can I do with a community support worker diploma once I graduate? There is no need to worry. There are many job options and opportunities in this field. Hopefully the information below gives you a clear understanding of what a career with a community support worker diploma will look like.
- Training required to become a community support worker
- What exactly does a community support worker do
- Career paths and options
Training required to become a community support worker
First, let’s discuss the necessary training required to become a community support worker.
To become a practicing community support worker, you must obtain a diploma from an accredited college. The programs usually take anywhere from 44 wees to 47 weeks, which means that you can become an employable community support worker in just under one year. In Canada, there are many colleges that offer community support worker programs. Including our Community Support Worker Diploma Program which we offer online and at our Calgary, Winnipeg, and Edmonton campuses.
- In-class training: Much of your education to become a community support worker happens in the classroom. You’ll study a wide-range of topics such as adolescent growth and development, addiction and families, mental and social aspects of aging, and chronic illness and disabilities to name a few. Through qualified and experienced instructors, they will teach you everything you’ll need to know to provide safe and competent support to those in need upon graduation.
- Work Practicum: Whichever program you attend; you will have some sort of practicum component. During this time (usually over a 4-week period), you will have the opportunity to practice what you learned in the classroom in a real work setting. This will give you a clear understanding of what type of community support worker environment you see yourself in upon graduation.
It’s important to note that before taking part in your work practicum to become a community support worker you must provide several documents to the college you’re attending. Firstly, You must have your CPR Level C with AED training and provide the following documents: a Criminal Records Check, a Child Abuse Registry Check, and a Vulnerable Sector Search.
The processing of some of the above documentation may take up to 12 weeks so it’s recommended to complete all courses and documentation well ahead of time.
What exactly does a community support worker do? (an overview)
A community support worker is the main point of contact for people who are in need of continuous help and assistance. They work closely with different social groups and their main goal is to be a constant support to the person or group of people they are helping. They type of help can vary between people with physical and mental disabilities and the assistance can vary between physical vocational, recreational, and emotional help.
Career Paths and Options After Completing a Community Support Worker Diploma Program
After graduating with a community support worker diploma, there are many options as to what you can do and where. If you are someone who is interested in children and youth, you can work at a youth program and if you’re interested in the medical field, you can work at a hospital. The options are endless. Some of the environments you can work in include, but are not limited to, child and youth programs, public schools, rehab centres, integrated child care, respite care, after-school care, support work programs, community living agencies, and women’s shelters.
As written above, there are many opportunities for those who have completed a community support worker diploma. If you are interested and have yet to complete your diploma, consider Robertson’s Community Support Worker Diploma Program which is offered online at our Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton campuses. Begin working toward your dream job today. Submit your application or talk to a Student Admissions Advisor.
