DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WORKER
Diploma Program
Distance Education
Start a career specializing in helping and caring for others.
Program Overview
Graduates of the Developmental Services Worker Program are trained to provide person-directed support and services for people with developmental disabilities in a manner that is respectful and fosters self-determination and empowerment. Additionally, graduates are prepared to promote the development of inclusive communities.
In practice, graduates demonstrate qualities such as creative problem-solving, resiliency, and initiative as outlined in the Developmental Services Human Resources Strategy Core Competencies. They are able to teach skills using strategies that are adapted to individual learning styles and to communicate effectively using a variety of forms. Graduates are trained to maintain the health and safety of the people they support; provide health care, perform health care procedures, and administer medications within their scope of practice.
Developmental Services Worker program graduates can work in a variety of areas including education, accommodation, employment support, advocacy, and recreation.
Graduates are employed as support workers by developmental services agencies that offer accommodation, community participation, employment support, and leisure support services. Graduates are also employed as educational assistants by boards of education.
Graduates may find employment in a variety of care settings including:
- Long-term care facilities
- Home care services providing care to clients living in their own homes in the community
- Supportive housing settings including senior’s apartments and retirement homes
- Group homes
- Hospitals
- Adult day programs
- Educational facilities
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Admission Requirements
- 18 years of age or older.
- Assessment: Online or In-person Counselling
- Result to Prove English Proficiency:
- IELTS (Academic) – 6.0 overall
- IELTS (General) – 6.0 overall with each band 6.0
- PTE (Academic) – 51 overall
- TOEFL IBT – 60 overall
- CELPIP – 7 overall with each band 7
- In the absence of the above ESL required.
- Secondary or Post Secondary Degree Diploma.
Learning Outcomes
- Our graduates provide person-directed support for individuals with developmental disabilities, emphasizing respect, self-determination, and empowerment.
- They possess problem-solving skills, resilience, and initiative in line with industry core competencies.
- Graduates excel in teaching skills adapted to individual learning styles.
- Effective communication is a hallmark of their abilities, using various forms to connect with clients and colleagues.
- They are well-trained in maintaining health and safety, including providing healthcare and administering medications within their scope.
- Our program instills a commitment to inclusive community development.
- Graduates have versatile career prospects in education, accommodation, employment support, advocacy, and recreation.
- Opportunities await as support workers in developmental services agencies and as educational assistants in boards of education.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide client care as directed by the Director of Care
- Assess clients relevant skills strengths, limitations and needs
- Assist clients to select options and develop alternate plans of action in collaboration with DOC to
optimize the client’s self-care progress
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients behavioural and
physical changes in response to the interventions
- Provide crisis intervention as required
- Report directly to Director of Care on clients overall progress
- Provide personal care
- Follow principles of infection control and Universal Precautions
- Identifies and participates in performance improvement activities
- Provide transport to doctor appointments, outside activities, shopping, errands, etc.
- Participates in client teaching according to the client’s plan of care and directed by DOC
- Assist in providing a safe environment and promote quality patient care through adherence to
established Policies, Procedures and Standards of Care
- Ensure client’s rights are adhered to. These include but are not limited to:
- the right to privacy and dignity while care is being provided
- the right to accept or refuse care
- the right to confidentiality of personal information
- Respond rapidly and appropriately in an emergency situation
- Use equipment properly and safely. Report any equipment defects to DOC without any
Delay
Program Modules
- Introduction to the field of Developmental Services
- The Nature of Developmental Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Grammar and Writing Skills for the Health Professional
- Communications Disorders
- Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
- Working with Families and Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Person Directed Supports and Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Behavioural Support Techniques
- Health and Wellness Principles
- Dual Diagnosis: Mental Health and Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Building Community
- Adult Development and Ageing
- Essentials of Pharmacology
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems
- Practicum Preparation and Placement I Community Setting
- Introduction to Educational Psychology in Canada
- Paraprofessionals (The Role of Classroom Education Assistant)
- Individual Education Plan
- Communication Strategies for Inclusive Education
- Professional Development: Competencies and Standards of Practice
- Self-Care Strategies for the Developmental Service Worker
- Computer Basics (Word, Excel, Power Point)
- Practicum and Placement II Educational setting
