If you are applying for the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course via the Ontario Ministry of Health & LTC funding initiative, please click here or scroll below to the announcement.

PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course

This CNA-accredited course is designed to give Personal Care Providers* (PCP), including PSWs, and caregivers, the knowledge and skills to recognize at-risk patients and implement effective strategies to prevent, identify, and manage skin health challenges.

You play an important role in preventing and managing skin breakdown and wounds.

Through evidence-based education, you'll learn to address moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), skin tears, pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, and more—ensuring better care outcomes and enhanced confidence in your role.

*Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Continuing Care Assistants (CCAs), Health Care Aides (HCAs), Personal Care Attendants (PCAs), Resident Care Workers (RCWs), Support Workers, and Community Support Workers (CSWs).

WOC Institute Program Logos_PSW & Caregiver.png

NSWOCC® Partners with Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care to Advance Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Across Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care is investing to Support Skin and Wound Care Education for 150 Long-Term Care Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) through NSWOCC®’s Accredited Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program and 600 Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in NSWOCC®’s Accredited PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Education Program.

Funding Covers Education Costs and Backfill Costs for Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses Enrolling in NSWOCC®’s Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN™) Program and Personal Support Worker and Caregiver Skin Health Education program. This funding supports professional education and training, including backfilling staff who participate in skin and wound care education programs. Funding to backfill staff participating in the SWAN™ Program and PSW and Caregiver Skin Health course will be available to long-term care homes through Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Canada. This will provide long-term care staff with dedicated time to support skills development while ensuring long-term care homes maintain quality of care for residents.

Apply today!

All Applications MUST be received by 12:00 PM EST on January 10th, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted

Are you a Personal Care Provider (PCP)* or Caregiver who wants to learn more about skin health?

The PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Course is an interactive, CNA-accredited online course designed for caregivers who have an interest in learning more about skin health management.

*Personal Support Workers (PSWs), Continuing Care Assistant (CCA), Health Care Aide (HCA), Health Care Assistant, Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Resident Care Worker (RCW), Support Worker or Community Support Worker (CSW), Care Aide

CNA Accreditation

Accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association for 10 educational hours.

NSWOCC® Partners with Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care to Advance Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Across Ontario

WOC Institute

1 day ago3 min read

Level up your knowledge and confidently contribute to improved care outcomes with our PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Course

The PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Program is a fully online, self-paced course designed to equip caregivers with essential knowledge in skin assessment, common wound types, and prevention strategies.

WOC Institute

Aug 131 min read

Course Structure

The course is a self-paced, interactive online course based on current evidence-based practice. It is designed to be completed in 12 weeks. Students can expect to spend 4-5 hours per week completing course content.

8 interactive online modules

Interactive workbooks and online resources

Weekly mentorship hours with a CNA certified NSWOC

Interactive online discussion boards

Knowledge checks throughout the course modules

Final exam to test knowledge

CNA accreditation for 10 credits

Course Overview

12 weeks
Fully online
Self-paced
Start at any time

The PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Course provides an opportunity for caregivers to deepen their understanding of common wounds and skin issues. Upon completion, learners will be able to identify early signs of skin breakdown and understand the importance of timely reporting to the nursing team to improve patient outcomes.

Course Modules

Maintaining Skin Health
Moisture-associated Skin Damage
Pressure Injuries
Skin Tears
Arterial Disease and the Lower Leg
The Diabetic Foot
Venous Disease and the Lower Leg
Lymphedema and the Lower Leg

Learning Objectives

Comprehensive Understanding of Skin Health:

Increase your understanding of factors influencing skin health.
Gain insights into the crucial role of skin health in overall patient care.

Strategies for Maintaining and Restoring Skin Health

Recognize the PSW and caregiver role in maintaining skin health.
Acquire practical skills to integrate into your caregiving routines.
Apply effective strategies to promote and maintain skin health.

Prevention and Management of Skin Injuries:

Explore the causes, management, and prevention of common skin injuries.
Identify at-risk patients and implement strategies to prevent skin breakdown.
Develop practical skills to recognize, report, and manage skin injuries.
Apply management strategies during patient care to restore skin health.

Interdisciplinary Team:

Identify key members of the interdisciplinary team and their role in promoting skin health.
Develop confidence to communicate with the interdisciplinary team about skin health issues.
Practice a person-centred approach to patient care.

Virtual Mentorship:

Access virtual mentorship with our team of CNA certified NSWOCs.
Gain personalized guidance and support throughout your learning journey.
Weekly Lunch and Learn modules on different topics, led by an NSWOC.

Registration Process

Step 1: Start your registration

Registration is quick and easy!

When you're ready to begin the course, simply click on the "Register now" button below. This will bring you to a site called Dual Code, which we use to host our on-demand courses.

Step 2: Create a free account

You will be redirected to the Dual Code platform. If you don't have an existing account, click on the "Sign Up" or "Create Account" option.
Enter your email address (used as a username) and a password.
After creating your Dual Code account, you will be directed to the Wound, Ostomy and Continence (WOC) Institute course page.

Create an account

Step 3: Purchase the course

On the course page, click "Purchase Course"
After clicking "purchase course", you will be presented with 3 payment options:
- a) Pay for yourself only,
- b) Pay for everyone in your organization at a group rate, or
- c) Pay for a specific number of users.
Click on the "Checkout" button to proceed to the payment confirmation page.

Sign into your account

Step 4: Begin the course

After successful payment, you will gain access to the enrolled course.
Begin the course at your convenience by following the provided instructions.

Sign into your account

Step 5: Course Completion

Progress through the course content at your own pace.
Upon completion, you will automatically receive a certificate of completion.

Congratulations!

Thank you for choosing the WOC Institute to advance your career in wound, ostomy, and/or continence care. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our support team.

Sign into your account

Costs & Tuition: Total $50

$50

Course Fee

Applied at the end of the registration process.

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute

If you are applying for the PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course via the Ontario Ministry of Health & LTC funding initiative, please click here or scroll below to the announcement.

PSW & Caregiver Skin Health Course

You play an important role in preventing and managing skin breakdown and wounds.

​

NSWOCC® Partners with Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care to Advance Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Across Ontario

All Applications MUST be received by 12:00 PM EST on January 10th, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted

Are you a Personal Care Provider (PCP)* or Caregiver who wants to learn more about skin health?

​

The PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Course is an interactive, CNA-accredited online course designed for caregivers who have an interest in learning more about skin health management.

CNA Accreditation

Accredited by the Canadian Nurses Association for 10 educational hours.

NSWOCC® Partners with Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care to Advance Wound, Ostomy and Continence Education Across Ontario

Level up your knowledge and confidently contribute to improved care outcomes with our PSW and Caregiver Skin Health Course

Course Structure

Course Overview

12 weeks

Fully online

Self-paced

Start at any time

Learning Objectives

Comprehensive Understanding of Skin Health:

Strategies for Maintaining and Restoring Skin Health

Prevention and Management of Skin Injuries:

Interdisciplinary Team:

Virtual Mentorship:

Registration Process

Step 1: Start your registration

Step 2: Create a free account

Step 3: Purchase the course

Step 4: Begin the course

Step 5: Course Completion

Congratulations!

Costs & Tuition: Total $50

$50

Course Fee